 Marcus Watkin must use a wheelchair for the rest of his life |
A Shrewsbury man awarded �4.4m after he was left paralysed by an 83-year-old motorist is calling for the elderly to be tested for their fitness to drive. Marcus Watkin, 37, was thrown from his motorcycle in an accident caused by William Powell in Shropshire in 2002.
Mr Watkin, 37, who must use a wheelchair for life, was awarded the damages in court on Monday.
He now wants to see a law brought in obliging drivers to prove their fitness before they can get insurance.
Licence surrendered
"I'd like to see some sort of legislation come in to make sure that all people before they get insurance are tested for their eyesight amongst other things, especially older people," Mr Watkin told BBC Radio Shropshire.
"How many more lives are going to be ruined before something's done about it?"
Mr Watkin, from Hadnall, spent a year in hospital after Mr Powell drove across his path on the A458 Shrewsbury to Welshpool road on 6 July 2002.
The �4.4m award was made against Mr Powell's insurers at the Courts of Justice in Manchester.
The 83-year-old was not prosecuted, although he did surrender his licence.
Drivers over 70 are expected to renew their licence every three years and include a declaration on their fitness.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
