Driver banned after B&Q lorry crashed into Cannons Gate house

A lorry driver has been banned from driving for six months after crashing into a house. Navarain Singh, 40, of Mansion Drive, Tipton, was driving a Volvo HGV along Elizabeth Way in Harlow as he crashed into a house in Cannons Gate on December 17, 2019. The wall the B&Q lorry hit was next to where children inside the house were sleeping.

Singh was arrested at the scene. Essex Police found Singh exceeded the strict maximum amount of hours lorry drivers are allowed to drive over a set period of time, and for failing to fill in the tachograph record sheet used to show how many hours a driver has driven. He was charged and admitted one count of careless driving and 15 counts of failing to us a tachograph recording sheet.

At Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (October 31) he was give nine points on his licence. He had already had three points so was banned for six months. He was fined a total of GBP1,070, told to pay GBP100 costs and a GBP37 victim surcharge.

Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “This collision could very easily have ended in tragedy – either to Navnarain Singh himself or someone inside the building he hit. “There are strict regulations which set out how many hours lorry drivers can drive over a set period of time and it is clear from our investigation that Singh had completely ignored these in the fortnight before the collision. “It’s so important these regulations are adhered to because they’re there to keep people safe.

“I hope this acts as a reminder to all drivers about the need to stick to the rules of the road.”