A Derbyshire driver has been sentenced after reversing into a council worker on a closed road.
The incident has led Derbyshire County Council to urge motorists to respect roadworkers after one of their employees was injured.
In May last year, workers were repairing potholes on Locko Lane, Hardstoft, when John Leonard Muckle ignored road closure signs and attempted to squeeze past a council truck. When he was unable to get through, he reversed to try another route—hitting a roadworker and knocking them into a hedgerow.
Muckle did not stop and drove away, leaving the worker badly bruised. The incident was reported to the police, and Muckle later appeared at Derby Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was banned from driving for a year.
Councillor Charlotte Cupit, Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, stressed the importance of road closures:
“Road closed signs are there for a reason—to keep both drivers and roadworkers safe. When repairs are underway, there simply isn’t enough room to pass safely, and some work also needs time to set properly.
“Please respect road closures and our teams. They’re doing essential work, and they deserve to do it without fear of harm. Even if it means waiting or taking a detour, we all want to get home safely.”
