Are Some People Just Too Stupid To Be Driving?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-25624978
I mean really this does demonstrate level of stupidity and contempt that we really should have a more severe punishment for.

[craft1948]

His method of turning the indicators on is clever............

[grasscarp]

He was that stupid little kid on his bike - Look mum no hands...... look mum no teeth. People dont get any brighter as they age.

[sunny-dave]

Ah yes - Whitby ... remind me again who we know from there ... ?

[jno]

no mention is made of any actual danger. Sometimes it seems "dangerous" just means "might have been dangerous but wasn't", which seems a perversion of the language.

I would have thought driving without due care and attention (or whatever wording is available) might have been more appropriate.

What's a victim surcharge? What victim?

[ToraToraTora]

I just think that anyone who thinks that is ok in any circumstances should not have a driving licence.

[Mamyalynne]

jno, this is an old report so the amounts don't tally, but a brief description of the surcharge.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6431401.stm

[Mamyalynne]

He is a complete buffoon.

[mikey4444]

I saw this earlier today and I thought it was a very strange thing to do. When I was a boy, I used to want to do this while out on my bike, but never managed it for more than a few seconds at a time.

Why can't the sentence have included a stipulation to re-take his driving test...one years ban and small fine doesn't really seem enough.

[jno]

thanks for that, mamya.

[boxtops]

It just said on the radio that he's got community service, too - how will that make him a better driver?

[Peter Pedant]

.

if you look at the tape - there are corner which he steers so he is obviously erm in control with his knees.....

not that I would try that myself

[tamborine]

Dick power

[jeffa]

The amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst the ungodly which has surrounded this is quite baffling. Yes, it was a daft thing to do, but it's hardly the crime of the century!

I think this is a bit of an Admiral Byng type of case and he was unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time...

[gness]

Driving like that, Jeffa?...Right place, right time.

[Baldric]

Looks like a good result to me, maybe another 6 months on the ban would have been good, but a fair result.

[New Judge]

“Modern cars will go in a straight line on a flat road, cannot see a problem.”

The road he was travelling on was not straight; in addition to being curved in places it could have contained bumps and holes which may have thrown his car off course.

The suggestion that this was “careless driving” was his defence. The difference in law:

Careless Driving: when the standard of driving falls below that of a careful and competent driver.

Dangerous Driving: when the standard of driving falls far below that of a careful and competent driver.

In my view (and that of the Magistrates) this driving fell far below that of a careful and competent driver.

Victim Surcharge began life as a charge levied on those paying fines in court. It was a flat rate of £15 and no levy was made on those sentenced in any way other than a fine. This attracted the criticism that those sentenced for more serious offences paid nothing so in 2012 the surcharge was revised. Now, those subject to an Absolute or Conditional Discharge pay £15; those fined pay 10% of the value of the fine (minimum £20, maximum £120); a community order attracts a surcharge of £60; a suspended sentence or immediate custody (up to 6 months) £80 (not yet in force in Magistrates' Courts). Slightly more is levied for longer sentences inposed in the Crown Court. The proceeds go to various victim support groups.

[gness]

BungalowBill....How could he be steering with his knees and accelerate up a hill.....and god knows how he could have stopped safely in an emergency when he went over the brow of the hill.

[pixie373]

Gness is exactly right. It's what happens in an emergency? Another car loses control, etc, etc. What will his reaction time be to stop or swerve?