A bus driver in Peterborough has been fined £85 and given eight penalty points after he skipped a red light and slammed into a Peugeot.
Philip Onions was driving 20 school children home when he skipped a red light causing a horror crash, which left the female driver of the Peugeot with arm injuries. A passenger on the bus was also hurt in the crash.
Footage from the car’s dash camera clearly shows Mr Onions making no attempt to stop, and the 21-year-old was given one last chance on the road by magistrates.
Kelly Shimmen, prosecuting, explained to the Peterborough Magistrates Court that Mr Onion is autistic and has a "passion" for vehicles.
"The junction is controlled by traffic lights - the lights for the Peugeot were on green, and for the bus they were on red. He is autistic and his passion is for vehicles," she said.
"He had worked at Ford as a parts manufacturer. He has now lost his job and is working as an apprentice welder.
"On his bus on the day were school children, who were playing with the bell.
"He had stopped at a bus stop 200 metres before, as he was alerted by the bell. No-one got on or off. He moved on, all the while with the bell ringing in his ears."
According to the Mirror, Mr Onions’ lawyer said that he had had a difficult year, and was in “full remorse”.
"He had worked at Ford as a parts manufacturer. He has now lost his job and is working as an apprentice welder.
"On his bus on the day were school children, who were playing with the bell.
"He had stopped at a bus stop 200 metres before, as he was alerted by the bell. No-one got on or off. He moved on, all the while with the bell ringing in his ears."
