A DRIVER who twice slammed his brakes on in front of a 62-tonne truck on the Hume Freeway could have caused multiple deaths, a court has heard.
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Gary Richard Robertson, 49, couldn't give police a reason for his dangerous actions at Barnawartha on September 5 last year, but said he had been earlier cut off by the truck.
His lawyer Angus Lingham on Tuesday argued parity should apply between the two drivers involved in the road rage incident.
But magistrate Ian Watkins quickly rejected the submission, given Robertson's actions.
"His driving was far more serious than the co-accused and the question of parity doesn't apply," he said.
A police prosecutor said it was "deplorable driving" and agreed parity shouldn't apply "in any way, shape, or form".
Footage filmed by the truck driver showed Robertson pulling in front of the loaded paper truck in a maroon Ford Fairmont.
He was carrying a passenger and a dog, and pulled into the left lane and slammed his brakes on, causing Annison to brake and swerve.
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Robertson drove in the middle of the lanes and again braked, causing the truck to brake and swerve, and appear to make brief contact with the rear of the car.
The truck driver later nudged the Ford from behind while maintaining speed, and Robertson again slowed down.
The car driver made a rude gesture out of his window and later exited the highway to report the matter to Wodonga police.
He was charged after the truckie handed over his dash camera footage.
If that truck struck your car, there could have been multiple fatalities
- Magistrate Ian Watkins
Mr Watkins said it was worrying to think what could have happened.
"If that truck struck your car, there could have been multiple fatalities," he said.
The magistrate said Robertson would be very familiar with the highway.
"The margin of error on that road is very, very slim."
The 49-year-old pleaded guilty to careless driving after electing not to further contest the matter, and two other charges were withdrawn.
Mr Watkins disqualified him from driving for six months and fined him $882 including costs.
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