Passenger who pulled handbrake held to be ‘driver’ for RAF claim – Moonstone Information Refinery

Passenger who pulled handbrake held to be ‘driver’ for RAF claim – Moonstone Information Refinery

A recent judgment of the Western Cape High Court has addressed an unusual legal question with significant implications for road accident claims: can a passenger legally become the driver of a vehicle? In a decision delivered on 27 February, Acting Judge AG Christians held that a passenger who pulled up a moving vehicle’s handbrake effectively took control of the vehicle and therefore became the “driver” for purposes of liability under the Road A…