A judge has expressed concern about long distance lorry drivers from abroad relying totally on Sat Navs after a Czech driver had a serious collision with another truck driver after he slavishly followed his navigation device.
Jiri Hrubes (27) appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to driving his vehicle without due care causing serious harm to another in Kanturk, Co Cork on March 5th, 2019.
Garda Brendan Dunne told the court that Mr Hrubes was driving an articulated truck on the Old Cork Road on the date of the offence when he collided with another truck driver who was travelling towards Mallow.
Judge Sean O'Donnabhain was told that Mr Hrubes drove through a junction of the N72 where he was obliged to stop. He missed the stop and collided with the other vehicle.
Injuries
The other truck driver incurred fractures to his skull and neck and a damaged knee. He was knocked unconscious.
He was hospitalised and received two operations for his injuries. He spent 16 days in hospital and was out of work for 18 months.
The court heard that the injured truck driver bore no ill will towards Mr Hrubes, as he realised that it was a genuine mistake.
Mr Hrubes was relying on two separate Sat Nav devices. Garda Dunne said that the devices made Hrubes "get lost on the older road" which he described as a "bad road."
Mr Hrubes remained at the scene where he was treated for shock. He was on a one-off delivery from the Czech Republic.
Error in judgment
Defence barrister Ray Boland said that Mr Hrubes had a good work record and admitted his wrong doing at the first instance. Hrubes travelled from the Czech Republic for the hearing.
Mr Boland conceded that his client had made an error in judgment, but stressed that the case was without aggravating factors such as mobile phone use. Mr Hrubes had also logged the appropriate rest breaks whilst driving a lorry.
Judge O'Donnabhain said that he was concerned about drivers, particularly those from outside the jurisdiction, following Sat Nav devices as if they were the final word on routes.
He said that there was no speed in the case and that the driver had taken the appropriate rest periods.
"This is an example of the result of Sat Nav driving. It is worrying particularly for non-nationals. He was driving a road he did not know. He went through the junction without seeing or obeying the stop sign.
"I accept he was genuinely shocked and appalled. He took responsibility and has no previous."
Judge O'Donnabhain jailed Mr Hrubes for 18 months suspending the entirety of the sentence. He also imposed the mandatory four-year driving ban.
He added that Sat Navs only provide directions and that motorists were still required to abide by the rules of the road.
