David James Swinglehurst, manager of Lucas Papaw sideswiped a truck and forced a school bus to slam on its brakes near Roma

The manager of renowned family business Lucas Papaw sideswiped a truck while towing a trailer, forcing a school bus to slam on its brakes, the Roma Court heard.

David James Swinglehurst.

The manager of renowned family-owned business Lucas Papaw fronted court after he “carelessly” drove his caravan in convoy along the Warrego Highway, sideswiping a truck and forcing a school bus to slam on its brakes.

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David James Swinglehurst and his wife were travelling behind their son, who was also towing a caravan, making their way to the Northern Territory on June 4.

The family travelled through Blythdale, nearly 30 kilometres east of Roma, in the early hours of the morning. Swinglehurst overtook three vehicles, including two trucks and a school bus on a solid white line, police prosecutor Barry Stevens told Roma Magistrates Court.

“The school bus driver told police Swinglehurst pulled out in front of the bus in such a way they had to immediately apply the brakes to allow him to fit into the lane in front,” Sergeant Stevens said.

“The vehicles continued on and as they approached the Blythdale bridge, which had unfinished roadworks and his view was obstructed by trees, Swinglehurst overtook the Woolworths truck.

“The defendant then went past street reduction signs and overtook the Kenworth truck through a blind corner.”

Swinglehurst collided with the truck and damaged the bullbar and his own trailer.

The incident came just a month after a school bus collided with another vehicle along the Warrego Highway, east of Wallumbilla, killing a 30-year-old Chinchilla woman, leaving one woman fighting for life and several children injured.

Sergeant Stevens said it was a serious example of careless driving and submitted Swinglehurst be off the roads for six months.

Magistrate Peter Saggers said Swinglehurst wasn’t charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle which carries a six month disqualification period, rather he pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and it was a “serious example” of that offence.

Self-represented Swinglehurst said he didn’t believe he was driving dangerously.

“We were travelling in convoy, all the vehicles were doing 85-90 kilometres per hour and we were travelling in vehicles that could do the speed limit,” he said.

“I was called over the two-way by my son every time to overtake.”

Swinglehurst said the truck driver was “irate”, verbally abused him and gave him hand gestures as he drove past.

“He then came over onto my side and clipped the side of the trailer,” Swinglehurst told His Honour.

“I understand the evidence but that’s my side and I wouldn’t have been called to go past if it wasn’t safe.”

The magistrate interjected and said it was Swinglehurst’s decision to overtake, not his son’s.

Sergeant Stevens said that frame of mind was “naive” and a safe driver wouldn’t overtake through roadworks and on a solid white line.

When the magistrate asked Swinglehurst how he would return home to Brisbane if he lost his licence, he said he wasn’t sure.

His Honour took into the account the man had no traffic history and fined him $750.

No conviction was recorded.