Skip to main content

Telematics data aids hit and run driver conviction

Evidence provided by a telematics device has resulted in a suspended prison sentence for a motorist who ploughed into a pedestrian walking home from a Christmas celebration on 12 December last year, says anti-motor fraud unit, APU. The driver admitted the incident, as well as perverting the course of justice after he failed to stop after the incident and later denied responsibility. Other charges included failing to report an accident.
October 21, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Evidence provided by a telematics device has resulted in a suspended prison sentence for a motorist who ploughed into a pedestrian walking home from a Christmas celebration on 12 December last year, says anti-motor fraud unit, APU.

The driver admitted the incident, as well as perverting the course of justice after he failed to stop after the incident and later denied responsibility. Other charges included failing to report an accident.

He told police the courtesy car involved in the crash, which caused the victim serious brain injuries, had been stolen and was not being driven by him at the time, heard Basildon Crown Court. He kept up the pretence for ten months even when strong evidence suggested he was guilty.

The police turned to the investigations team at APU which was able to review the vehicle’s telematics system.

Together, APU and the police used the advanced In-Car Cleverness telematics device installed in the vehicle to trace the exact movements and speed of the BMW before and after the incident. APU says the data provided unequivocal evidence that he was the driver at the time of the accident. He finally pleaded guilty to the charges.

Related Content

  • RoadPeace brings safety into focus
    December 27, 2022
    Photography exhibition will give insight into 'grief and suffering' caused by crashes
  • SCANaCAR and VideoBadge counter parking’s prickly problems.
    June 4, 2014
    Colin Sowman discovers how the latest systems can boost productivity and reduce conflict in parking enforcement. Parking enforcement is something of a ‘Cinderella’ service for local authorities: while necessary to keep the roads open and the traffic flowing, it is an expensive operation and can be loss-making. It is also labour intensive and parking enforcement officers are routinely verbally abused and sometimes physically attacked. Some authorities are now looking to automate parking enforcement in orde
  • Auto-braking cars: government should meet motorists halfway
    March 25, 2014
    A UK Government incentive for drivers buying cars with anti-crash technology would save 60 lives and result in 760 fewer serious casualties reported to the police, in just three years. Over ten years, such an incentive would save 1,220 lives and nearly 136,000 casualties, according to Thatcham Research, the insurance industry’s automotive research centre. At a briefing seeking support from senior politicians, health organisations, insurers and vehicle manufacturers at the House of Commons today, Peter S
  • New legislation leads to rise UK drug driving convictions
    January 31, 2017
    In his speech at the National Roads Policing Conference, Roads Minister Andrew Jones announced that 8,500 drivers were convicted of drug driving in 2016, the first full year since the legislation changed in March 2015. In 2014, only 879 drivers were convicted. The new legislation makes it illegal in England and Wales to drive with certain drugs in the body above specified levels, including eight illegal drugs and eight prescription drugs. Those caught drug-driving face a minimum 12-month driving ban, up