Texting leads to passenger death

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30 November 2009 at 08:23

Police have urged motorists not to text while at the wheel following the death of a teenager as a result of dangerous driving.

Sarah Oldham, the 17-year-old car passenger from Sutton, Cambs, died at Cambridge's Addenbrookes Hospital two days after driver Isaak Playford hit an electricity pylon while behind the wheel of a Citroen Saxo off the A142 at Mepal, Cambridgeshire.

Cambridge Crown Court handed the 18-year-old Isaak of Mill End Road, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, nearly two years in jail and banned him from driving for four years, police said.

Investigations recently revealed that Isaak had been texting moments before the crash.

He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving earlier this month and was jailed for 21 months, Cambridgeshire Police said.

Inspector Alan Page, from the roads policing unit added: "Police inquiries following this tragic crash revealed that Isaak had been texting moments before the collision.

"Sending or reading text messages while driving is very dangerous and research has shown it reduces your reaction time by 35%.

"The circumstances of this case show how fragile life can be if someone does not give driving their full attention."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Links

Personal injury claims - http://www.rac.co.uk/personalinjury/personal_injury/

Cambridgeshire Police - http://www.cambs.police.uk/