Injuries caused by vandalism on the region’s roads

Posted 03/04/2012

It was tragic to learn yesterday that youths have again been throwing objects into the paths of vehicles on the A14, potentially endangering the lives of motorists. Suffolk Constabulary’s figures show 54 incidents between 2009 and 2011, with several more incidents occurring this year.In December last year alone, 13 vehicles including cars, lorries and an ambulance had stones and rocks thrown at them. Another vehicle had its window smashed when it was shot at by a pellet gun. Other objects hurled into the road have included bricks, rubble, an apple, a telephone directory and a snowball with a stone in it.Victims of such incidents may be under the misconception that there is nothing they can do. On the contrary, they will likely be entitled to compensation for any physical or mental injuries sustained, under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, even if the perpetrators are never caught or prosecuted.