Author Topic: Prison for death by dangerous driving. (Read 967 times)

ggreg · « **on:** September 12, 2013, 03:22:06 AM »

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10293094/It-took-satnav-18-seconds-to-tear-two-families-apart.html

Woman driving along the road, stares down at the Sat Nav and kills a cyclist. Gets 18 months will serve 9 months.

Some people would like her jailed for life, since she killed someone.

Some would like her banned from driving for life. Understandable and perhaps a better punishment than jail. I think a 10 year ban would be appropriate.

Neighbours suggested she was a decent mother and wife, nice children, responsible person who simply made a mistake that day and does not deserve jail. There are such things as accidents. Who hasn't been blinded by winter sun etc when they were driving. My hire car has a warped disk brake which is less than ideal. Should I waste half a day taking it back to Avis or drive to the conditions.

What would be the best and most just solution for these types of road traffic accidents where the person at fault was clearly not a drug addled lunatic or drunk or driving like a total idiot but basically careless bordering on reckless?

I am always torn between mercy and justice with these sorts of cases. How about you?

poche · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2013, 04:36:43 AM »

I heard of a similar incident that included a sentence of one year and a lifetime ban on driving.

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2013, 07:15:14 AM »

Justice would be if the driver had to pay a monthly stipend of $1000 per month for the next 25 years. After all, she deprived the other family of a breadwinner.

Eighteen seconds is a really long time to take your eyes off the road.

ggreg · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2013, 10:26:32 AM »

Not sure how they worked that out. I think they meant she must have had one eye on the road and the other on the Sat Nav thus an 18 second blind spot on her driver's door side. That I could see happening. She might have been tracking the white line.

Clearly if you shut you eyes for 18 seconds you would probably crash into the kerb.

Asian women koreans, indians drive badly all the time. They are like Mr Magoo.

Stubborn · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2013, 11:08:04 AM »

She drove 1057 feet without looking?

What an idiot. She has a death wish and deserves to never drive again - that's for sure.

overmind · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2013, 12:08:12 PM »

I ride a bicycle to work.

I cycle on the pavement a fair percentage of the time for this reason. I make use of bus lanes; I follow paths along canals and shortcuts around the back of quiet housing/industrial estates.

I get criticised for this (and will be in the future no doubt). I will probably get a police fixed penalty notice at some point (but I figure its a cheap life insurance premium *). However, I am still here to write this and read my kids a story at night. So at the very least my kids/wife appreciate it.

* - note: this really is life insurance as by paying it you are staying alive as opposed to what is called Life insurance (which is actually death insurance).

1st Mansion Tenant · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2013, 12:20:59 PM »

The life of the driver, her family, and the family of the victim- all ruined in a few seconds. So tragic. Accidents happen all the time, due to overt carelessness, or the more casual type of carelessness that most of us are prone to often. Or just happenstance. Add drugs or alcohol, or sleep-deprivation to the mix, and the odds spiral. Then there are texting, distractions of all kinds, stress, road-rage, and random obstacles, weather, medical conditions...its a wonder we leave the house in the morning. Enough to make one wish for Scotty's teleporter.

While I sympathize with the driver's remorse and the huge punishment bearing down on her for something she never meant to do, I am sure the victim's family feels differently. Even if they themselves have been guilty of such lapses which could have ended badly, but fortunately did not due to a luckier roll of the dice.

Quasimodo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2013, 01:57:28 PM »

If you go on the road you are taking a risk. Accidents happen all the time. If it wasn't the satnav it would have been something else. She shouldn't have said she took her eyes off the road. People go to jail for less.

Spork · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2013, 06:52:46 PM »

Quote from: ggreg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10293094/It-took- There are such things as accidents. Who hasn't been blinded by winter sun etc when they were driving. My hire car has a warped disk brake which is less than ideal. Should I waste half a day taking it back to Avis or drive to the conditions.

I am very surprised to read that you admit to having problems in your life. Based on your posting history, one would surmise that you are spared lifes hassles due to your super awesomeness and large check book. Maybe there is a humility cracking in.

poche · « **Reply #9 on:** September 12, 2013, 10:36:14 PM »

When you drive a car you are driving what could be potentially a deadly weapon.