Simon Blizzard fronts Ipswich Court for Brisbane Valley Highway road rage assault

A raging road-user left his car during a highway traffic jam west of Brisbane to pummel the driver in front of him, due to his ‘uncontrollable’ frustration with the other man’s driving, a court has heard.

Brisbane Valley Highway in Fernvale. Picture: Google Maps

A driver had to divert route to the emergency department after an Ipswich man unleashed his fists on him mid-highway holdup due to a frustration with his driving.

Camira resident Simon Christopher Blizzard, 28, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on August 18, 2023, to assault occasioning bodily harm and threatening violence.

Blizzard had been following the car in front of him at “close proximity” while driving along the Brisbane Valley Highway on June 11, 2021, in Fernvale.

The court heard the car in front of him was forced to stop due to a traffic jam across from a business on Fernvale Road.

Magistrate Kathleen Payne said Blizzard got out of his car at that point and approached the other car’s driver’s side door.

Despite the driver’s request to leave him alone, Blizzard reached through the open window to unlock the door and opened it.

He then punched the driver multiple times in the head, causing immediate disorientation.

Simon Blizzard (left) with lawyer Richard Zande outside Ipswich Court on August 18, 2023.

The victim started filming on his mobile phone and told Blizzard not to touch him.

Ms Payne said Blizzard then “charged” towards the victim and stood in his face with an intimidating posture.

She said he made threats including: “I’ve given you three warnings now – you want another one?” and “I’m not wrestling mate, I’m punching.”

The victim tried to push him away, and Blizzard responded “don’t touch me c**t that’s four warnings”.

Ms Payne said Blizzard then left the scene “like a coward”.

The victim attended the Mater Hospital emergency department later that evening due to a severe headache, jaw pain and dizziness.

Ms Payne said Blizzard wasn’t interviewed by police about the matter until March 5 this year.

At that time, she said Blizzard admitted to punching the victim multiple times.

He had explained he was angry at the victim because of the way he had been driving.

Defence lawyer Richard Zande said his client had struggled with his anger and other mental health issues after experiencing a significant personal loss some years ago.

He noted Blizzard had limited criminal history, and suggested a probation order alongside a suspended sentence might provide him with assistance and opportunity for rehabilitation.

Ms Payne said this was a “serious road rage incident”.

“It’s an extremely dangerous circumstance that you created on that day because of your inability to control your anger,” she told Blizzard.

“Everyone in the community, no matter what trauma they suffer – because a lot of people suffer a lot of trauma – need to be able to control their emotions, such that they’re not attacking innocent members of the community because of some perceived frustration on your part.”

“No one’s perfect on the road – you’re not perfect yourself …. The community needs to know that this kind of behaviour is not tolerated.

Blizzard was sentenced to four months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months, along with 18 months probation.

Originally published as Simon Blizzard fronts Ipswich Court for Brisbane Valley Highway road rage assault