A Rotorua man who did a U-turn into the path of a Harley Davidson didn't see it due to an "optical illusion", a court has heard.
Richard Ian Jacobs, 61, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court yesterday having pleaded guilty last month to two counts of careless driving causing injury, one of failing to stop and ascertain injury and one of careless driving. The collision with the bike, which injured its two riders, happened on December 20 on Dalbeth Rd, Hamurana.
Judge Chris McGuire disqualified Jacobs from driving for six months and ordered him to pay $3000 reparation - on top of the $5000 he had already voluntarily paid the victims.
Jacobs was driving west about 5pm when he pulled over to the left then attempted a U-turn, without indicating or checking that the road was clear, and collided with the Harley Davidson.
He drove on with his damaged front wheel at such an obscure angle it left a continuous skid mark on the road for 3km, crossing the centre line a number of times.