A TEENAGE driver who collided with a motorcycle during a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre has been banned from driving for two years. Daniel Miller – who had bought his modified Citroen Saxo just 17 days before the accident on the Witchford by-pass – must t

A TEENAGE driver who collided with a motorcycle during a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre has been banned from driving for two years.

Daniel Miller - who had bought his modified Citroen Saxo just 17 days before the accident on the Witchford by-pass - must take an extended re-test before he is allowed back on the road.

Ely magistrates were told that the brakes on Miller's car had locked as he overtook a lorry on the A142 Witchford by-pass on September 18 last year; he skidded and was faced with the oncoming motorcycle.

Although the car had passed an MoT test just a week earlier, solicitor Jim Earl claimed that the lowering of the suspension on Miller's car had affected its handling.

"It would affect the rear load sensor valves, jamming them in the open position," he said.

"When he applied the brakes the rear load sensor valves did not prevent a skid."

Miller - a student at Cambridge Regional College and employee of Tesco - had already overtaken a car, and was passing a lorry "very fast" when he lost control, said prosecutor Laura Mardell. A tractor was ahead of the lorry. Miller's car skidded sideways and collided with a Yamaha motorcycle ridden, leaving both its riders seriously injured.

Bernard Peach suffered two broken arms and a dislocated elbow; and his female pillion passenger Diane Zwolskyj suffered a broken pelvis, shattered vertebrae, and broken ribs.

"A police investigator concluded the accident was caused by Miller losing control of his car, and crossing into the path of the oncoming motorbike," said prosecutor Laura Mardell. "It was the result of an ill-judged overtaking manoeuvre."

Miller, 18, of Wilford Drive, Ely, admitted driving dangerously at the time of the accident. The court also ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

"Your actions left much to be desired," said presiding magistrate Janet South. "You drove in an aggressive manner by overtaking in an in appropriate way, resulting in serious injury to two road users.