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M1 death crash driver was on phone to mother
Kiran Randhawa24.04.09
A motorist who killed four members of a family while driving in the wrong direction on the M1 was talking on his hands-free phone at the time.
Mariusz Adamski ploughed into a Jaguar driven by management consultant Lakhdip Nagra minutes after he did a U-turn on the motorway near Luton.
He was killed instantly along with Mr Nagra, his sister Navjit, 28, his mother Inderjit, 48, and her uncle Chain Singh, 66. The family were travelling back to their home in Bexleyheath, Kent, after visiting relatives in Birmingham.
The mother of the Polish driver, Krystina Adamska, said she was talking to her son just before the crash on Saturday night. Speaking from her home in Poland, she said he appeared to have become confused using his satellite navigation system. She said: “He was talking on his hands-free. Then he shouted, Wait mum. My GPS is blank. Oh my God, mum, I can't see anything'. Then I heard the sound of the crash.”
Lorry driver Mr Adamski, a father-of-two who moved to Leicester from Poland two years ago, turned his VW Passat around at roadworks near junction 10 of the M1 and headed north on the southbound carriageway. Moments later his car hit Mr Nagra's.
It is thought both cars were travelling at 70mph when the collision happened at 11.22pm. Bedfordshire Police refused to comment on whether Mr Adamski was talking on the phone, saying “the matter is subject to an inquest”.
Reader views (5)
Just scrap the cars of people who drive while on the phone. Then they couldn't do it again.
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington
Take a look at any stream of passing traffic in London. You can count on one hand any continuous number of vehicles which does not contain someone on their phone. Many instances of reckless and dangerous driving, nay deliberate bullying and aggression, take place on our roads all the time, yet we wait for the tragic statistical certainty of a death before prosecuting. Why do we need to wait for this, when by applying the same criteria to driving standards as are applied in court, these drivers could be prosecuted just for driving the way they do?
The Government/Police could be ringing the tills by enforcing against this, yet for some reason do not - the fines would more than pay for it, so it is not a resource question.
Could it be that the roads are regarded as a vital safety valve for people to behave in an anti-social manner and release their aggression, as a Government tactic for defusing potential social unrest?
- Reg, London
When I arrived in Australia from the UK I had to take a driving test (God knows why because we drive on the same side of the road and the rules are pretty much the same). I can see why if you drive on the right (Asia, Certain parts of Europe, USA). Maybe England should take a leaf out of Austalia's book and start instigating driving tests for those who come to the UK from a 'right hand drive' country.
- Barbara, sydney, Australia,
Hands free, engine in top gear and brain disengage!
Sadly the above observation seems to apply to a large section of the population, whom would also have a problem walking and chewing gum!
I do not exclude myself from the above, that's why I do not answer the mobile phone whilst I am driving!
Surprisingly, this seems to be a source of much annoyamce to those persons whom are aware that I am on the road & driving!
When I have the opportunity, I park up somwhere safe, and check out the missives, and 99% of the times, the message is trivial & of no real importance or urgency!
GERONIMO
- Geronimo, LONDON MIDDLESEX
EU law does not allow you to keep a foreign car for 2 years without registering it here. This tragic accident might lead the Gov to do something about this. The police were chasing all over Poland when the chap lived here. By not changing plates you avoid tax, insurance checks, speed camera fines , congestion charge, import duty etc. You are allowed 6 months then you should register here.
The facts of this make it all the worse for both families.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, England
