Opinion ID: 1662260
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: suspended license of other driver

Text: Subsequent to the collision, the driver of the Corvette was issued a citation for driving while his license was suspended. The defense argued that the evidence was probative of proximate cause; that is, the fact that the driver knew his license was suspended could have affected his driving as he heard police sirens approaching. On appeal, the defendant's one-sentence argument on the issue is simply that the evidence was probative of the Corvette driver's contributory negligence, which is relevant to the issue of proximate cause. Much of the prior discussion of proximate cause is applicable as well to this argument. Moreover, the defendant has not shown how he was hurt by the exclusion of the evidence. The defense was allowed to thoroughly explore the conduct of the Corvette driver on the evening of the accident. Evidence was presented as to the Corvette's speed, the driver's visibility, and other factors bearing on the driver's role in the collision. The driver himself testified and was cross-examined. The defense was given sufficient opportunity to investigate and present evidence as to whether the Corvette driver was negligent, regardless of whether evidence was presented about the suspended license. Finally, the dicta in Benton v. State, 124 Neb. 485, 247 N.W. 21 (1933), to the contrary notwithstanding, we held in Crandall v. Ladd, 142 Neb. 736, 744, 7 N.W.2d 642, 647 (1943), We are not unmindful of the rule that a violation of a statute or ordinance enacted in the interest of public safety is evidence of negligence [citations omitted], but the rule cannot be made applicable unless there is some causal relation between the violation and an accident.