Injuries to rider cost driver $1500 | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

Careless driving at a Victoria Ave intersection resulted in a cyclist being taken to hospital after a car hit her.

Shevaun Elizabeth Davidson, 43, appeared in the Wanganui District Court and pleaded guilty to careless driving causing injury. She was ordered to pay $1500 in reparations and was disqualified from driving for six months.

The court heard how on November 21, about 6pm, Davidson was driving her Audi hatchback on Glasgow St and was waiting to turn right into Victoria Ave.

The victim, wearing a helmet, was on her bike on Glasgow St on the far left shoulder, intending to travel though the intersection and continue along Glasgow St. A witness was half a car length behind the cyclist.

The speed limit for the area is 50km/h and traffic was heavy at the time. Conditions were clear with a dry road.

The intersection, which is controlled by lights, was green for traffic on Glasgow St. Davidson had the green light, but had to wait for the intersection to clear, and the victim had the right of way.

Davidson failed to see the victim on her bicycle, pulling out in front of her. The rider crashed into Davidson's car, ending up on the bonnet, denting it and smashing the windscreen. Her bike was wrecked.

The rider suffered a severe concussion, ligament damage to the left knee and numerous cuts and bruises to her arms and legs. She was taken to Wanganui Hospital for treatment.

The witness in the car behind the cyclist later told police she felt uneasy approaching the intersection and had slowed down.

Duty solicitor Jane Kite said Davidson accepted the summary of facts, but did not agree that the intersection was busy.

She maintained she was not speeding at the time, she simply did not see the cyclist.

The woman was an upstanding citizen and it was out of character for her to come to court, Ms Kite said.

In response, Judge Michael Behrens QC said anyone could drive carelessly.

After the accident, Davidson asked after the victim at the hospital, sent a card and tried to make amends, the court heard.