Driver to blame for high-speed roundabout crash (From The Oxford Times)

Driver to blame for high-speed roundabout crash

10:00am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News

A NEW roundabout was not to blame for a crash which paralysed two young men, a court heard.

Safety fears were raised after the Audi Quattro the men were in struck the roundabout on the A41 between Junction 9 of the M40 and Bicester on May 28, 2011, travelling a further 40 metres before coming to a halt on its roof.

Afterwards members of the public criticised the junction’s new road markings and said the spot was “an accident waiting to happen”.

It also led to a debate about whether there were adequate signs on the approach to the junction. In June 2011, ambulance staff contacted the Oxford Mail warning drivers to be more aware after paramedics were called out to seven collisions there in nine weeks.

But Oxford Crown Court heard a police crash scene investigator placed responsibility solely on the car’s driver, 30-year-old Joshan Anwar. He was jailed on Friday for 15 months.

A police investigation revealed that Anwar was travelling at about 85mph as he approached the junction. The dual carriageway enters a 40mph limit before the roundabout.

Anwar braked hard but hit the roundabout at 40mph. The father-of-one was also found to have 90mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

Two friends, Robert Singleton and Adtham Ali, were paralysed. Anwar and a third passenger were seriously injured.

Anwar, of Ford End Road, Bedford, was jailed for 15 months after admitting dangerous driving and driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

He was also banned from driving for four years.