The Mercury: Message in road death

Further articles about Kate Tamayo

Motorists should give cyclists two metres of space when passing, a magistrate said when he told a negligent driver he faced jail over a fatal crash. Avid cyclist and road-safety advocate Kate Tamayo was struck and killed by a driver who failed to give her room as she was riding along the East Derwent Highway last year.

Edward James Alderton, 64, of Bagdad, was found guilty in the Hobart Magistrates Court yesterday of causing Ms Tamayo’s death by negligent driving. He faces a maximum jail term of one year and a fine of $1000. Ms Tamayo’s friend and Bicycle Tasmania president Tim Stredwick described the keen sportswoman’s death as ironic given her promotion of safe cycling.

“It does illustrate that motorists do have to take more care,” he said.

“If something good can come out of this it’ll be getting that message across.”

He said her boundless enthusiasm had seen her start up the successful Tour de Femme event during Bike Week.

She was also on the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania board and was Women’s Sports Tasmania president.

Ms Tamayo’s accounting skills saw her rise to the top in the Auditor-General’s department but she also used her number-crunching abilities on various community boards.

Another friend, Stuart Slade, met her in 1993 through a shared love of cycling.

“She was a bubbly, zesty person who loved life,” he said.

The 42-year-old triathlete and multi-sport competitor was riding for fun on the day Alderton struck her back wheel with his Toyota Landcruiser.

Magistrate Sam Mollard found that Alderton had driven too close to Ms Tamayo as he came up to pass her at a speed of about 80km/h.

He said it was negligent to drive within a metre of a rider on a rural or semi-rural road.

“I think two metres to be a reasonable minimum,” Mr Mollard said.

He added that prudent drivers should allow for cyclists to abruptly veer off their path.

Alderton’s lawyer Chris Gunson said his client had been greatly affected since the collision.

“He is personally extremely sorry and distraught he was driving a motor vehicle that caused the death of another person,” he said.

He said Alderton had given up driving unless it was to go short distances and still had nightmares about the crash.

Mr Gunson said the offence should be considered at the lower end of culpability.

Mr Mollard indicated that Alderton would get a jail term but said it was a question of whether to suspend it.

He bailed Alderton to reappear for sentencing on November 20.