Driver Acquitted in Serious Motorcycle Crash in Ramat Hasharon Due to Investigation Flaws
The Traffic Court in Bat Yam recently acquitted a driver accused of causing a severe motorcycle accident in Ramat Hasharon in November 2024. The accident occurred at the intersection of Rabbi Reines and HaMelachim streets, where the driver was alleged to have ignored a stop sign and collided with a motorcyclist who suffered serious injuries. The motorcyclist was hospitalized for two weeks, underwent surgery, used a wheelchair for about two months, and required rehabilitation.
The prosecution charged the driver with failing to obey the stop sign, reckless driving, causing damage, and causing a traffic accident resulting in significant injury. The driver admitted the accident happened but denied negligence, claiming he stopped fully at the stop line and slowly entered the intersection to improve visibility blocked by parked cars. He argued the motorcycle was not visible until it was already in the intersection, making the crash unavoidable.
The state contended the driver should have stopped and yielded to the motorcyclist before entering the intersection. A traffic examiner testified that more cautious driving and multiple stops could have prevented the accident. However, the judge, Michal Duani Behiri, criticized the investigation, noting the examiner arrived four months after the crash, conducted visibility tests with a car instead of a motorcycle, and could not determine the collision point or safe entry speed. Additionally, speed bumps were installed after the accident, altering road conditions.
The ruling highlighted inconsistencies, including the motorcyclist’s statement that he saw the car about 10 seconds before the collision, contradicting claims the driver suddenly appeared. The police also failed to locate a neutral witness whose details were provided by the motorcyclist. The judge concluded that the prosecution did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the driver acted improperly or that the accident could have been prevented, leading to the driver's acquittal on all charges.
