An HGV driver who fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a slip road barrier in Essex has been fined £600 and given nine penalty points. Mihai-Florentin Bauer admitted to driving without due care at Colchester Magistrates’ Court following the accident on the A12 at the Shenfield exit.
Essex Police reported that Bauer briefly fell asleep, damaging a 30-metre section of the road barrier before the noise of the crash woke him. Thankfully, Bauer was unharmed.
Sergeant Jason Dearsley from Essex Police credited the National Highways barrier for preventing a more serious outcome. He also highlighted ongoing concerns about drivers being pressured to meet delivery deadlines, urging those facing unsafe working conditions to report them confidentially. The case has been referred to the traffic commissioner’s office for further review.
