Grieving husband urges tired drivers to take a break

A grieving husband has urged drivers to take a break when they feel tired.

Nicholas McCaffery’s beloved wife Aimi was jogging when she was knocked over and killed in May 2022 by a man who fell asleep at the wheel.

Speaking at Nottingham Crown Court as former hotel manager Glen Widdowson was jailed for three-and-a-half years, Mr McCaffery paid an emotional tribute to his wife, describing her as “the kind of person who, once met, was never forgotten.”

He also urged others to take a break if they ever feel tired at the wheel.

Addressing Widdowson directly at the end of last month, he explained that he and most other people who drive regularly know what it is like to experience tiredness at the wheel, adding:

“When that happens, we have a choice - pull over, take a break, set a timer on your phone and get a bit of rest, or keep going.

“…Mr Widdowson had a choice…so I can only assume his decision was to carry on when faced with the choice of pulling over and resting and carrying on.”

Mrs McCaffery, a 46-year-old mum-of two, died at the scene of the collision in Cropwell Butler, on the morning of Sunday 15 May 2022.

Moments before the collision, Widdowson had been caught on CCTV veering towards the wrong side of the carriageway as he drove along Radcliffe Road and towards Mrs McCaffery.

He then failed to negotiate a slight left-hand bend in the road, mounted a kerb with two wheels and struck her at a speed of around 50mph.

Although he said he couldn’t be sure what happened, Widdowson later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on the basis that he fell asleep at the wheel.

Mr McCaffery, speaking after the hearing, also paid generous tribute to the people who tried so hard to save his wife.

He said:

“Aimi has gone, she has been cruelly taken from us. It is a loss that myself and my children, as well as Aimi’s family and friends, will never get over.

“We miss her so much. But as is the case with the darkest of times, some genuine human kindness shines through. I want to thank the paramedics and those who attended the scene and tried so desperately to save my wife. Like Aimi herself, you’re the best of us and we thank you.”