Driver on phone as she hit cyclist is spared prison

A DRIVER who knocked a cyclist over while on her mobile phone has been spared jail.

Samantha Malik, 44, of Crink Lane, Southwell, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court last week and admitted crashing into the cyclist after using her mobile phone while driving.

She pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

The cyclist, who is in his 80s, sustained serious injuries and spent three weeks in hospital after he was struck by Malik's Land Rover in the Ropewalk, Southwell, on June 21 last year.

Malik was given a nine-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and has been banned from driving for 18 months.

Sgt Brendon Hunt, based at Southwell police station, said: "The dangers of using a mobile phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle is evident in this case.

"The cyclist was extremely lucky to survive and has not had the courage to get back on his bike since the collision.

"Unfortunately we still see people continuing to make calls while driving.

"They are not paying full attention to the road and are putting themselves, pedestrians, other drivers and like this case, cyclists, in extreme danger.

"This is an example of how taking or making a call is simply not worth the risk."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503354/s/14370a40/l/0L0Sthisisnottingham0O0Cnews0CDriver0Ephone0Ehit0Ecyclist0Espared0Eprison0Carticle0E34524360Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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