Home   Maidstone   News   Article

Maidstone: Van caught on camera driving up Postley Road in the wrong direction

Dashcam footage has emerged of the moment a van drove up a one-way road in Maidstone in the wrong direction.

The white Citroen van turned right out of Old Tovil Road into the outside section of the two-lane carriageway on Thursday, April 7 this year.

Motorcyclist Nathaniel Bailey-Mason handed the video over to Kent Police and said he was shocked to receive a letter back a month later saying no further action would be taken due to a ‘lack of evidence.’

Scroll down for video

The white van just after it mistakenly turned onto the outside lane of Postley Road
The white van just after it mistakenly turned onto the outside lane of Postley Road

The Farleigh Hill resident said: “I was on my motorcycle. If I had been in the right lane he would have gone straight into me.

“Everyone was beeping them except me. I was too surprised.

The dashcam footage Mr Bailey-Mason sent to police clearly shows the van clad with a livery of a cleaning company head up the road towards Sheal’s Crescent.

It is not known what happened to the vehicle after this.

Cases relating to drivers going the wrong-way along one-way streets can be dealt with by a warning, penalty fine or a prosecution depending on the circumstances.

But in their response to Mr Bailey-Mason the force said they had opted to send a written warning. The driver is understood at the time to have admitted to officers she made a mistake and felt panicked.

The letter states: “Following a review of the circumstances it has been decided there is not sufficient evidence which is likely to result in successful prosecution.”

Nathaniel Bailey-Mason of Farleigh Hill, Maidstone, is unhappy after police say there is insufficient evidence to prosecute a driver he video'ed driving in the wrong direction on a one way street
Nathaniel Bailey-Mason of Farleigh Hill, Maidstone, is unhappy after police say there is insufficient evidence to prosecute a driver he video'ed driving in the wrong direction on a one way street

The letter added the warning sent to the driver related to failing to comply with a directional arrow (one-way street).

Mr Bailey, who works as a shop assistant in Boots, said: “I am disappointed the police are not doing anything.

“What more do you need other than clear video evidence of a road traffic offence being committed?”

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More