A coroner has reiterated that using a phone while driving can “so easily result in terrible consequences” after a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 62-year-old woman.
Janet Robyn Ward died in a collision on Forth Road at Don on March 8, 2022, when a 20-year-old driver on his phone slammed into the car she was in.
According to Coroner Olivia McTaggart’s findings, Ward’s husband was driving downhill when a Ford Ranger driven by James Jarman veered into their lane.
Mr Ward attempted to take evasive action, but large trees and an embankment prevented him from safely staying in his lane.
As he swerved across the centre line to avoid a collision, Jarman’s vehicle suddenly returned to its correct lane, resulting in a head-on crash.
“Mr Ward could not have done anything more to avoid the crash,” McTaggart said.
The impact caused “catastrophic damage” to the Wards’ vehicle, fatally injuring Mrs Ward, who was seated in the front passenger seat.
Jarman later pleaded guilty to causing death by negligent driving. He was handed a four-month suspended prison sentence and a 14-month driving disqualification.
“The evidence in the investigation revealed that Mr Jarman was accessing the Snapchat instant messaging application on his phone in the seconds before the crash,” McTaggart said.
“I am satisfied that the crash was solely due to Mr Jarman’s negligent driving in crossing onto the wrong side of the road because he was distracted whilst using his mobile phone.”
In her findings, McTaggart endorsed Magistrate Evan Hughes’ sentencing remarks that no message, call or social media post is important enough to place other road users at risk.
“It is a well-publicised fact that driver distraction caused by mobile phone use can so easily result in terrible consequences,” she said.
