A woman has been fined nearly £1,000 after letting passengers leave her car while on a dual carriageway.

Helen Phadnis was driving a Tesla on the A27 at Falmer on December 8 and decided to let the other occupants get out on to a grass verge.

A motorbike travelling behind the Tesla was forced to stop so the passengers could leave the car.

Phadnis, 43, of Shirley Drive, Hove, admitted a charge of driving without due care and attention and was sentenced in a single justice procedure at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on December 8.

She was made to pay a £640 fine, a £256 surcharge and £90 costs. Phadnis also had five points added to her driving licence.

Sergeant Eaton from the Sussex Police roads policing unit said: “Allowing passengers to alight on the A27 is extremely dangerous.

“Their presence on the carriageway with live lanes of traffic puts all road users at risk.

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“Any motorists, including taxis, seen allowing their passengers to alight will be prosecuted.

“This is a particular concern on Brighton and Hove Albion match days and when there are events at Stanmer Park. This case demonstrates that courts take a dim view of these offences.”

Albion did not play a match on December 8, when Phadnis allowed passengers to leave her car.