{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}
{\f2\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1{\*\panose 02070309020205020404}Courier New;}{\f35\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604030504040204}Tahoma;}{\f169\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f170\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}
{\f172\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f173\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f174\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f175\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}
{\f176\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f177\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f189\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 Courier New CE;}{\f190\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 Courier New Cyr;}
{\f192\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 Courier New Greek;}{\f193\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 Courier New Tur;}{\f194\fmodern\fcharset177\fprq1 Courier New (Hebrew);}{\f195\fmodern\fcharset178\fprq1 Courier New (Arabic);}
{\f196\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 Courier New Baltic;}{\f197\fmodern\fcharset163\fprq1 Courier New (Vietnamese);}{\f519\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Tahoma CE;}{\f520\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Tahoma Cyr;}{\f522\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Tahoma Greek;}
{\f523\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Tahoma Tur;}{\f524\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Tahoma (Hebrew);}{\f525\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Tahoma (Arabic);}{\f526\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Tahoma Baltic;}{\f527\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Tahoma (Vietnamese);}
{\f528\fswiss\fcharset222\fprq2 Tahoma (Thai);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;
\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1
\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{\s2\qc \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1
\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{\s3\qc \li1152\ri720\sl360\slmult1
\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin720\lin1152\itap0 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 3;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*
\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \cbpat9 
\f35\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \ssemihidden Document Map;}{\s16\ql \li1152\ri720\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin1152\itap0 
\f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 Block Text;}{\s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 
\sbasedon0 \snext17 header;}{\*\cs18 \additive \sbasedon10 page number;}}{\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid-642722258\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext
\'03(\'00);}{\levelnumbers\'02;}\fbias0 \fi-720\li2877\jclisttab\tx2877\lin2877 }{\listname ;}\listid609320927}{\list\listtemplateid388538098\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0
{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fbias0 \fi-1005\li2157\jclisttab\tx2157\lin2157 }{\listname ;}\listid1342196724}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid1342196724\listoverridecount0\ls1}{\listoverride\listid609320927\listoverridecount0\ls2}}
{\*\rsidtbl \rsid284572\rsid2124485\rsid13462439\rsid16216583}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6764;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author Information Technology Unit}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2005\mo12\dy3\hr10\min33}
{\revtim\yr2005\mo12\dy3\hr10\min33}{\printim\yr2004\mo6\dy7\hr10\min31}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords847}{\nofchars4833}{\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws5669}{\vern16391}}
\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow0\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot13462439 
\fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 
\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs18\insrsid2124485 PAGE  }}{\fldrslt {\cs18\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid2124485 3}}}{\cs18\insrsid2124485 
\par }\pard \s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2124485 
\par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8
\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 
\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA0}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
028 OF 2004S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 Between:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13462439\charrsid16216583 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13462439\charrsid16216583 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 THE STATE
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 Appellant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 And:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13462439\charrsid16216583 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13462439\charrsid16216583 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 ANUJ KUMAR
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13462439 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583 Hearing: }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 4th June 2004
\par Judgment:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 7th June 2004
\par 
\par Counsel:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 Mr. P. Bulamainaivalu for State
\par Mr. M. Raza for Respondent
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13462439 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
\par This is an appeal in respect of which the Appellant appealed against his conviction for careless driving, and the State appealed against inadequacy of sentence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 However for the reasons set out in this judgment, a consideration of the State\rquote s appeal has become unnecessary.
\par 
\par The Appellant was originally charged with dangerous driving.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 His charge read:
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 Statement of Offence
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13462439 {\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 DANGEROUS DRIVING}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 : Contrary to Section 98(1) and 114 of Land Transport Act 35 of 1998.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13462439 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 Particulars of Offence
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13462439 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
ANUJ KUMAR s/o Deo Kumar on the 18th day of March, 2002 at Nausori in the Central Division drove a motor vehicle on Bau Road, Nausori in a manner which was dangerous to the public having regards to all the circumstances of the case.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13462439 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
\par He was convicted on the 4th of November 2003 in Nausori of the lesser offence of careless driving.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 He was fined $100.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 The grounds of appeal against conviction are:
\par 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\s16 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard\plain \s16\ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxta .}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid16216583 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
THAT the learned trial Magistrate erred in law and in fact in convicting the Appellant when the evidence was to the contrary to the evidence for the following reasons:
\par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (a)\tab}}\pard\plain \ql \fi-720\li2160\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls2\pnrnot0\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid16216583 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
that the prosecution witness, who was a passenger in the Appellant\rquote s vehicle told the Court that the Appellant was not driving fast; and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (b)\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li2160\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls2\pnrnot0\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 that the Appellant took an evasive action to avoid head-on c
ollision due to the on coming van travelling on its wrong side of the road; and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (c)\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li2160\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls2\pnrnot0\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
that if it was not for the evasive action taken by the Appellant, there would have been a head-on collision.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\s16 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard\plain \s16\ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxta .}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid16216583 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
That the learned trial Magistrate erred in drawing adverse inferences by applying the wrong principles in convicting the Appellant.
\par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13462439 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
\par The evidence led at the trial was confusing and contradictory.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
PW1 was a passenger in a government vehicle driven by the Appellant on the Bau Road.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 She said that as they were travelling, s
he saw a twin cab approaching their vehicle on its wrong side of the road.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
In order to avoid a collision the Appellant swerved to the right causing the vehicle to tumble over.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
She said that the Appellant had not driven at a high speed, and that he had received injuries as a result of the accident.
\par 
\par PW2, Constable Chetty who had been on patrol near the Vunimono Arya School said he saw the Appellant\rquote s vehicle on the Wainibokasi Road and signalled to him to drive slowly as the road was busy.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }
{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 The evidence does not indicate the distance between the Wainibokasi Road and the scene of the accident.
\par 
\par PW3, Special Constable Vijendra Prasad said he saw the Appellant pass him on the Bau Road.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
It is not clear whether the witness was on foot or in another vehicle.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 He gave no evidence as to manner of driving.
\par 
\par PW4, Kumar Singh was driving a bus which was parked along the road immediately in front of the Appellant\rquote s vehicle.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
He said that the Appellant overtook him as he was dropping passengers, and a green twin cab pulled out of the side of the road and moved left.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 The Appellant\rquote s vehicle turned and overturned.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
He agreed that the Appellant had driven to the right side of the road to avoid a collision with the twin cab.
\par 
\par PW5, Constable Chand drew the sketch plan of the scene, showing the Appellant\rquote s vehicle facing Nausori.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
He also interviewed the Appellant under caution.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 The interview is not on the record, but was discovered on the court file.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 In the interview the Appellant said that he had driven at 60-65 kmph, that he had ove
rtaken a stationary bus and that a twin cab was coming from the wrong side of the road in the opposite direction causing him to swerve onto the right side of the road.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 He refused to answer other questions.
\par 
\par He gave sworn evidence, giving substantially the same version of the facts.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
Under cross-examination he denied that he was speeding and not paying attention to the road.
\par 
\par After reviewing the evidence, the learned Magistrate found that the Appellant had failed to show the standard of driving expected of a reasonable and prudent driver in that he overtook a vehicle without exercising due care and attention.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 He said: \'93
the accused should have seen that a twin cab was parked on the wrong side of the road and should not have overtaken the bus.\'94}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
He said that scratch marks on the road showed how fast the Appellant must have been driving at the time.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
He also found that the Appellant lost his right arm in the accident.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 He found the Appellant guilty of careless driving.
\par 
\par The learned Magistrate directed himself correctly on the test for careless driving.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
It is an objective test, and there must be some evidence of fault on the part of the driver charged.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
However, I am unable to find any such evidence in this case.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 There was no evidence of speed, other than the Appellant\rquote 
s statement under caution.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
The marks found on the road could not have established speed without some reference to expert evidence in that regard.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
There is nothing careless about overtaking a stationery bus, and there was no evidence that anyone could have predicted that the twin cab would start to drive, from its parked position, to the wrong side of the road.
\par 
\par State counsel, quite rightly and fairly conceded that there was no evidence of careless driving.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
Indeed the evidence of PW1 and PW5 was entirely consistent with the Appellant\rquote s own evidence.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
On the basis on this concession, the State did not proceed with its own appeal against sentence.
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 Result}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 The appeal against conviction is quashed, there being no evidence of careless driving.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16216583  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 The appeal is allowed.
\par 
\par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16216583 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid16216583 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 JUDGE
\par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13462439 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid284572\charrsid13462439 
\par At Suva
\par 7th June 2004
\par }}