LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CRIMINAL LAW — Road Traffic Offences — Dangerous Driving — Leaving One’s Lane as Dangerous Driving
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Leaving one's lane for another when a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, thereby causing a collision, is dangerous driving.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Onu, JSC, in Amusa v. State (2003) NLC-3362001(SC) at p. 3; Paras A–C.
"... to leave one's lane for another when another's vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction and thereby causing one's vehicle to hit that other in the process is a dangerous piece of driving."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Leaving one’s lane into oncoming traffic is dangerous driving. The principle applies to road traffic offences. The act creates a foreseeable risk of collision. The rule is based on common sense. The court may convict without expert evidence. The principle is well-established.