£400 fine for woman who flipped car in "lapse of concentration"

Friday 10 February 2023

A 32-year-old woman has been handed a £400 fine after a "momentary lapse of concentration" saw her flip her car onto its roof - leading it to be written off.

Appearing in the Magistrate's Court this week, Diana Ferreira admitted careless driving on 6 November last year.

She had been driving down Mont Les Vaux in St. Brelade when she strayed into the middle of the road, over-compensated when she turned, and struck the kerb, the Magistrate’s Court heard.

"She went up the bank and her car turned over," St. Brelade Centenier Amanda Wright said: "The vehicle was written off."

Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, said it had been a momentary error. 

He added of Ferreira: "She is someone of impeccable character. She has no previous convictions in any jurisdiction.

"This has been something of a stark lesson."

Relief Magistrate Nuno Santos-Costa said he was prepared to regard the incident as "a momentary lapse of concentration" but added: "It is an offence not to be able to control your car."

He allowed her to pay the fine at £200 per month.