Killer driver, 23, was sending a SELFIE to her boyfriend while behind the wheel at 70mph when she ploughed into scooter
A WOMAN drove into the back of a scooter and caused the death of its rider while sending a winking selfie to her boyfriend.
Amber Potter, 23, exchanged a series of messages with her partner and took photos at the wheel while on a journey from Glastonbury to Norfolk on September 15, 2021.
SWNSAmber Potter has been jailed after fatal crash that killed scooter rider David Sinar[/caption]
David Sinar was hit while riding his Lambretta
She was jailed for three and a half years at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday for causing the death by dangerous driving of David Sinar, 64.
She had knocked his Lambretta with her Vauxhall Corsa in the fatal crash on the A11 in Roudham, Norfolk.
Potter was driving at around 70mph and Sinar was travelling at about 40mph, but she failed to slow down or overtake him because she was distracted by her phone.
The court heard she was in the process of sending a selfie picture of her sticking her tongue out and winking to her boyfriend.
She then drove into the back of the scooter, which Mr Sinar, from North Walsham, had bought only earlier that day.
He died from his injuries at the scene following the crash on the dual carriageway at Roudham at about 9.30pm on September 15, 2021.
Chris Youell, prosecuting, said Potter had taken pictures of herself and exchanged phone and Facebook messages with her boyfriend and others.
She had been travelling home to Norwich from Glastonbury, Somerset, where she had been visiting friends.
Of 55 messages found on her phone during the period of the journey, 20 were ones she had sent together with audio clips with background road noise suggesting she was driving at the time.
She later claimed to police that the rear lights on Mr Sinar’s scooter had not been on when she crashed into the back of him but CCTV at a garage had proved it was lit.
Judge Katharine Moore told her: “He was there for all drivers to see – all those who had their eyes on the road that is.”
Potter pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and was jailed for three and a half years.
The court was told she had been so distracted that skid marks on the road proved she had not braked before hitting the scooter at 70mph.
Judge Moore said her use of a phone to exchange selfies while at the wheel had been “gravely inappropriate” and had caused a “grossly avoidable distraction”.
Matthew McNiff, mitigating, said using her phone periodically on the journey had been “sporadic stupidity”.
He added: “She does recognise the terrible damage that she has done, that a life has been lost and that she has to live with that.”
“She is not callous. Her remorse is genuine and heartfelt.”
Using a phone while driving: Laws and fines explained
USING your mobile phone whilst driving could land you in serious trouble, as you are endangering yourself and other road users.
Here, we look at the rules regarding using a phone whilst driving and how you can stay on the right side of the law.
Can I use a mobile phone while driving?
It has been illegal to use a mobile phone for calls or texts whilst driving since 2003.
However, this only covered small parts of the law, like actually holding the phone to your ear whilst on a call.
On March 25, 2022, it became an offence to hold a mobile phone whilst driving.
This now covers touching or swiping the phone screen.
This also applies to being stopped in traffic or waiting at the traffic lights.
Film director Guy Ritchie was banned from driving for six months in July 2020 after being caught texting at the wheel whilst waiting in traffic.
There are exceptions to this rule though. For example, using your phone to pay contactless at a drive through restaurant is allowed.
When taking this into account, it is probably best to park safely and turn off your engine before using your telephone or other electronic device.
Can I use hands-free while driving?
You can use hands-free phones – as long as you don’t press any buttons – sat navs and two-way radios when you’re driving or riding.
The in-car touchscreen dashboard is not exempt from penalties as the director of Nationwide Vehicle Contract Keith Hawes has warned about using these too.
Keith said: “Touchscreens have become a common addition to modern vehicles, and the more complex they become, the more distracting they can be.
“If you are found to be not properly in control of your vehicle as a result of using dashboard gadgets or hands-free devices you could still be prosecuted.“
But if the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle you could still get stopped and penalised. The law also applies to those riding a motorcycle.
Any hands-free devices should be fully set up before you start your ride.
Can I be fined for using my phone while driving?
Yes, you could be fined if you use your phone or any touchscreen device while driving.
Drivers could be hit with a £200 charge, but there’s a chance you could be taken to court and fined a maximum of £1,000.
In this instance, drivers may face a driving ban for their actions.
You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last two years.
Shortly before his death, Mr Sinar, a former vehicle inspector and motor parts delivery driver, had semi-retired to spend more time with his 95-year-old mother who had moved to Norfolk from Birmingham to be close to him.
His family said he was a “very competent” motorcyclist who had over the years owned everything from Harley-Davidsons to scooters.
He had bought the new Lambretta on the day of his death.
He was also a passionate cyclist and over the years had raised tens of thousands of pounds for charities on rides including from John O’Groats to Land’s End despite having recovered from cancer in 2011.
In an emotional statement, which was read in court, describing the family’s devastating loss, his wife said he had been her “best friend and soulmate” and that he had been “cruelly taken from us”.
She said: “I will never forgive Amber Potter for what she has done to our family.
“She could have avoided it if she had simply obeyed the rules of the road.”
Judge Moore told Potter his family had been left in “complete devastation” by her actions.
She said she was a “kind, compassionate, hard working and caring individual in normal circumstances” but that her actions had been criminal.
Banning her from driving for 45 months and ordering her to take a mandatory retest, she added: “No life can be gauged by the length of a sentence.”
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