Officers of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police have warned about the potential dangers of overtaking while driving after a 79-year-old woman was left with serious injuries following a head-on collision.

Sajid Mahmood, 53, of Burton Road, Branston, Burton-on-Trent, was driving a taxi along Swepstone Road, Measham, on the afternoon of Friday 24 September 2021 when he attempted to overtake a tractor with an attached trailer which was travelling in front of him.

The tractor and trailer measured around 18ft in length, which is common in rural areas such as Rutland.

As Mr Mahmood attempted the overtake, he was just ahead of a bend in the road. Upon carrying out the manoeuvre, he collided head-on with a Skoda car which was travelling on the other side of the road.

A woman, aged 79, who was travelling in the front passenger seat of the Skoda had to be airlifted to hospital from the scene after suffering serious injuries in the collision. The woman has since been discharged from hospital.

The male driver of the Skoda and a female passenger in the taxi vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Enquiries at the scene, including speaking with witnesses, led to Mr Mahmood being charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He previously pleaded guilty to the charge at court.

On Wednesday 11 January 2023, at Leicester Crown Court, Mr Mahmood was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also placed on a three-month curfew from 7pm to 7am and ordered to carry out 210 hours of unpaid work across the next 12 months. Mahmood was also disqualified from driving for three years.

Police Constable Anthony Brewin, an officer in the case, said: "Mahmood's actions to try and get ahead on the road led to a woman suffering serious injuries and being airlifted to hospital. I know that the injuries caused have had a significant impact on the victim and my thoughts do remain with her.

"Overtaking a vehicle while driving can be extremely dangerous if not carried out in the correct and safe manner – as this incident has shown. Please ensure that you always only ever overtake when it is safe and legal to do so, that the road is sufficiently clear ahead and that there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.

More information about the correct way to overtake a vehicle while driving is available on the Highway Code, pages 162 to 169.