Road altercation ends in court

A motorist who stopped without warning in front of an articulated truck and was rear-ended as a result was 25 per cent to blame…

A motorist who stopped without warning in front of an articulated truck and was rear-ended as a result was 25 per cent to blame for the accident, a judge held in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday. Judge John Buckley told Mr David Kavanagh, of Tolka Road, Ballybough, Dublin, that his stopping in the middle of the road might be consistent with jumping out and offering abuse to the lorrydriver.

Mr Richard McDonnell, for the lorry-driver, Mr Patrick Nutterfield, said his client had earlier been given "the two fingers" and other abusive signs in what he described as a "road rage" incident.

Mr Kavanagh was awarded £14,000 damages against Mr Nutterfield and MAP Transport Ltd, Highfield Road, Dundrum, Dublin, which was reduced to £10,500.