A Go Bus driver who was carrying 19 Bethlehem College students when he collided with a ute on State Highway 2 has been convicted of careless driving and discharged.
Ivan Frederick Boyle, 75, of Gate Pa, who earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle in relation to the December 6 crash, was sentenced by Tauranga Community Magistrate Jack Best yesterday.
Mr Boyle's lawyer Tony Balme told the court that the Whakamarama intersection was a notorious crash site, and pulling out of Barretts Rd was long recognised as a difficult manoeuvre due to poor visibility.
Since the crash the bus route has been changed and drivers could no longer make a right turn.
Mr Boyle, who had an otherwise unblemished driving record, had signed up to a defensive driving course, Mr Balme said. Mr Best, who noted Boyle was the only one injured in the crash, said no further penalty was needed.
