Paul Boardman, 74, from Beachlands avoids jail after hitting motorcyclist

A man has been banned from driving for three months after his vehicle collided with a motorcyclist, who was flown to Perth with serious injuries.

Paul Boardman, 74, avoided jail when he appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court last Friday for failing to give way to a motorcyclist in March.

The prosecutor said the victim approached an intersection on Whitlock Drive and when he slowed to turn right the victim was “unable to avoid the collision”.

The victim was flown to Royal Perth Hospital after receiving a laceration to his kidney and a brain injury.

The defence lawyer said Boardman was on his way to the beach with his dog when his vision was impaired by the sun travelling in an easterly direction.

The court was told the sun in Boardman’s eyes stopped him from seeing the oncoming motorbike, and he was confused and unsure of what had happened after the collision.

The 74-year-old’s lawyer said he went to the doctor to get medical checks, concerned he was an unsafe driver.

The court was told Boardman avoided driving since the accident and saw a doctor for medical checks.

“He describes himself as shattered,” the defence lawyer told the court.

Boardman held a licence for 46 years with no criminal history.

Magistrate Evan Shackleton said the incident was a reminder for everyone that accidents can happen to anyone.

“You’ve obviously been driving for a long time and nothing like this has happened,” he said.

Mr Shackleton said he believed there was real remorse and real change.

Boardman received an $800 penalty and was disqualified from driving for three months.