Police 'jumped out of the way' of sleeping driver

4 days ago

PC Edd Davidson Smith says the case "highlights the dangers of driving tired"

Cambridgeshire Police The back of a police car which has been smashed by another vehicle. The boot is mashed inwards and the rear window has been shattered. The police vehicle is parked in a garage. — PC Edd Davidson Smith says the case "highlights the dangers of driving tired"

A man who fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a police car has been handed a one year driving ban.

Habib ur Rehman, 38, crashed a Honda CR-V while driving on the southbound M11, near Wendens Ambo in Essex, at 23:20 GMT on 18 February.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was "more luck than judgement that none of us were more seriously injured", as officers who were out of the vehicle dealing with another incident had to jump out of the way.

Rehman, of Ilford Hill in London, was jailed for 18 weeks, suspended for 12 months, at Cambridgeshire Magistrates' Court on Thursday, after admitting dangerous driving.

Cambridgeshire Police say the crash happened just over the Essex border, where they were responding to another incident

Cambridgeshire Police It is dark night and a black car has crashed into the back of a blue and yellow police car. The front of the black car and hanging off and the drivers side door is open. — Cambridgeshire Police say the crash happened just over the Essex border, where they were responding to another incident

One of the police officers involved in the incident suffered minor injuries, as did Rehman, who was taken to hospital, the force confirmed.

He was banned from driving for a year, ordered to do an extended re-test and pay costs of £85, as well as a victim surcharge of £154.

PC Edd Davidson Smith said: "This case highlights the dangers of driving tired and falling asleep at the wheel.

"If anyone feels tired while driving, they should pull over somewhere safely and have a rest.

"Rehman seriously endangered me and my colleagues with his dangerous driving that night and it was more luck than judgement that none of us were more seriously injured."

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