Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver Raymond Cox has been convicted for driving without due care and attention, following a collision on the A27 on July 28, 2025.
Cox was driving his HGV near the Holmbush Centre in Shoreham, when his vehicle veered off the lane into another HGV, which was parked on the roadside while the driver took a scheduled break. Cox sustained minor injuries, but the driver of the parked vehicle was unharmed.
Police believe the accident was caused by a momentary lapse in concentration, which, while not resulting in serious injuries, nevertheless caused huge disruption to traffic flow across the county. The road was closed for 18 hours following the collision, causing major disruption.
63-year-old Cox, of Redpoll Way, Erith, attended his hearing on January 20 at Crawley Magistrates’ Court. He pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. He was ordered to pay fines, court costs totalling £1880, and was handed nine penalty points.
Even relatively minor road accidents can have serious consequences, especially for HGV drivers and others whose living depends on the ability to drive. If penalty points on a licence reach 12 or more during a 3-year period, courts will impose a mandatory driving ban of at least 6 months. This can be avoided if the court accepts an exceptional hardship argument, but these can be difficult to present, and courts are reluctant to accept them.
At Auriga Advocates, we specialise in defending clients accused of road traffic offences. If you are being investigated for careless driving, our solicitors at Auriga have specialist knowledge to help you defend your licence. Contact us now for support and guidance.