Hasland bypass driver’s shunt lands her in court

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Monday, September 1, how Rumbidzai Musokiri, 34, of Worcester Crescent, Derby, collided into the rear of another motorist on the A617 near Junction 29 of the M1 motorway.

Prosecuting solicitor John Cooper said: “Nurse Melissa Martin was driving towards Junction 29 of the M1 motorway and when she was at the giveway link waiting for traffic there was a bang at the back of her car propelling her forward into the roundabout but nothing was coming.”

Musokiri apologised and produced her driving licence and because the vehicle was insured in her husband’s name she believed she had also been insured to drive it.

The defendant had been preparing to overtake, according to Mr Cooper, but then dropped in behind the other motorist who she claimed broke suddenly and the defendant went into the back of her vehicle.

The court heard how Musokiri accepted responsibility and regrets not checking her insurance details and has since insured herself to drive.

She pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and driving without insurance after the incident on March 16.

Musokiri claimed the other motorist had stopped without warning in the middle of the roundabout.

However, the court confirmed when someone collides into the back of someone else’s vehicle the court is entitled to believe the motorist at the rear was driving too closely.

Magistrates fined Musokiri £226 and ordered her to pay £35 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Her driver’s licence was also endorsed with six points.