Driver had arm amputated after crashing while texting at the wheel
A driver who lost his arm in a horror crash after texting at the wheel has allowed police to release a video of the incident to draw attention to the consequences of dangerous driving.
Shocking footage shows the man’s silver people carrier flip over and slide across Roedean Road in Brighton after the crash on November 15 last year.
Another motorist in a Mini swerves to the side of the road to dodge the vehicle, while people in cars coming from the opposite direction are forced to slam on the breaks.
The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, had his arm amputated after using his phone while on the road.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said the video was ‘a shocking display of the consequences of dangerous driving and I am grateful to those that have agreed to share this’.
She said: ‘It really enforces the fact that we all use the roads and must share the responsibility of ensuring the safety of ourselves and others.
‘Road safety will continue to be a top priority for Sussex Police because it matters to local residents. The sobering message from this video is not to drive irresponsibly because the consequences can be dangerous and life-changing.’
Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Dave Miller said the force ‘didn’t wish to shock and scare people’ but wanted to remind drivers of the ‘fatal five’ offences.
They include speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt, and careless and inconsiderate driving.
It comes after 39 people were killed in collisions across Sussex in 2019. Figures from Project EDWARD, an initiative run by the Traffic Information System Police (TISPOL), reveal 14 motorists were arrested, 28 reported for summons, 379 given traffic offence reports and 355 told to be more careful while driving over a single week in September.
Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Dave Miller said the European-wide project had ‘provided education and enforcement with the ultimate aim to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads each year’.
He said: ‘We also responded to community concerns, and in addition to the “fatal five” offences, we detected excess noise, tyre, licence and insurance offences, as well as antisocial driving and riding.
‘Last year in Sussex, 39 people were killed in collisions. That’s 39 too many, and families often never recover from the tragic and unexpected loss of a loved one.
‘This is also about listening to and responding to community concerns around antisocial driving and riding.
‘That’s why we proactively patrol rural locations – as well as the main roads – as part of our daily routine roads policing, 365 days a year. Our priority is to keep everyone safe on our roads.’
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