Jason Pitter QC features in ‘Smart’ motorway case at centre of BBC Panorama programme

Jason Pitter QC appeared on behalf of the driver of a car in which his grandson was killed whilst on the M6 motorway, when a lorry drove into the back of it. The tragic case was one of those at the centre of a Panorama documentary questioning the use of “smart” motorways

(Panorama: “Britain’s Killer Motorways”: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000dtqv/panorama-britains-killer-motorways

The issue and this case have received significant recent national publicity. It follows on from the inquest into the death in which the Coroner expressed criticism and raised concerns about the dangers presented by the use of smart motorways . The case is understood to be first in which Highways England (an interested person at the inquest) was asked to address concerns about the use and safety of the system. A Government review of the system is currently underway.

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51236375
• https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jan/26/uks-smart-motorways-to-be-reviewed-after-increase-in-near-misses
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/27/smart-motorways-scandal-highways-agency-facing-police-probe/

The case was originally widely reported at the conclusion of the inquest.

• https://www.itv.com/news/central/2019-10-14/coroner-questions-safety-of-smart-motorways-after-8-year-old-killed/
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/16/smart-motorways-can-confuse-drivers-whether-safe-pull-onto-hard/
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-50070632

Criminal proceedings against the grandfather were abandoned following submissions in relation to the grandfather’s fitness to plead and public interest considerations.

Jason Pitter QC was instructed by Neena Sharma of Keoghs, Bolton.

Authors

Jason Pitter KC

Call 1994 | Silk 2014

Related areas

Regulatory

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Crime

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