Will Folk Change Their Ways ?

[Bazile]

This is a few days old now - i dont know if it has been posted before .

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/driver-jailed-for-killing-cyclist-5819773

However , you still see drivers all the time driving whilst attending to some sort of device in their cars , including using their mobile phone ; and not concentrating on their driving

Is it a case that folk just dont care - do you think ?

Will punishment like the above court sentence change peoples habits ?

[Octavius]

She had taken her eyes off the road for at least 20 seconds, thats a very long time at 60mph.

[SlackAlice]

Unlikely, people are unable to see the danger of taking their eyes off the road or concentration away from their driving.

I thought the sentence was too light bearing in mind someone had died.

[Zeuhl]

The reality is that millions of driving miles are completed - without mishap - by drivers using their phones, sat-navs, stereo, lighting a cigarette, looking for a toffee, opening a drink or simply Day Dreaming.

Therefore, it is natural to assume that nothing bad will happen - until it does!

[ToraToraTora]

she got off lightly, it's essentially manslaughter by stupidity.

[ChillDoubt]

It's one of the reasons I am invariably lit up like a Christmas tree whenever I get on the bike, regardless of time of day/prevailing weather conditions.
I have 3 red lights to the rear (2 flashing) and 2 at the front (1 flashing), as well as the brightest clothing imaginable.

You just have to do your best in light of some of the idiocy that prevails.

[AB Editor]

Chilldoubt - sadly that doesn't help when someone isn't even looking at the road...

I use a couple of these as extra lights on alternate flashes: http://www.swiss-miss.com/2011/09/led-bicycle-light.html

They're surprisingly effective as a compliment to your other lights.

[Octavius]

I've seen them in Tesco for a few quid Ab Editor, looked good, yours must be posher ones.

[AB Editor]

Possibly - I noticed they're selling some bike stuff now. If you can test them next to your current lights while in the store, then you might as well fill your boots with what they've got (assuming it's cheap!)

[jake-the-peg]

No it's not manslaughter - that used to be the problem.

Rather difficult to demonstrate that zooming your Sat Nav is reckless or criminally negligent


A lot of these cases used to be let of because there was no proper offense to charge them with if wreckless driving couldn't be justified

She's been convicted under causing death by dangerous driving which came in in 91

The Road Safety Act of 2006 introduced the offence of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving which has an even lower requirement.

just skimming I'd have thought the lower offense might have been more appropriate but seems there was enough to warrant the Dangerous Driving charge

[youngmafbog]

Jake, I think you will find TTT said 'essentially' not 'it is'.

In most peoples mind it is manslaughter by stupidity, the law is just unable to comprehend this so the law of dangerous driving is used.

It is a light sentence given someone is dead.

[AB Editor]

To answer the question:

"Will Folk Change Their Ways?"

No, probably not - driving is weird because it makes a very clear definition between "us in here" and "them out there" in people's heads. To make it more likely that people will drive considerately and intelligently you need to break that mentality.

[DTCwordfan]

Very simply, it's the "It can't happen to me" syndrome.

[jake-the-peg]

Saying something is 'essentially manslaughter' is as daft as saying a close shot over the bar is 'essentially a goal'

There's a very distinct definition and just because you empathise with a victim doesn't change that.

I'm off to have what is essentially a glass of champagne now (coffee)

[mikey4444]

People use their Mobiles whilst driving because they know that there is little chance of getting caught. Its a simple as that. More Police are needed to enforce the law.

It also depends on where you live. I go to my caravan in Cornwall as often as funds allow. Between Swansea and the Severn Bridge, there is a fair chance I will see at least one patrol car on the M4, and I can guarantee that I will come across lots of speed cameras. But as soon as I go over the bridge and turn right. I hardly ever come across a police car until I reach Penzance, and a speed camera is an even rarer event.

What makes me so angry about Mobile phone use is that it is so easy comply with the law, as Bluetooth devices are easily available and very cheap. A lot of modern cars have a Bluetooth function built in.

[New Judge]

Cases (and punishments) such as the one mentioned only arise when somebody is killed by a driver messing about with a phone or stanav. What is needed is deterrent punishment for those caught doing so before they kill somebody. The current sentence of three penalty points is hopelessly inadequate and the offence should attract a a mandatory minimum 12 months disqualification as is imposed for excess alcohol.

[ChillDoubt]

I have a set similar to those attached to my helmet Ed.

I have 2 sets of these attached to the bike:

http://direct.asda.com/Bell-Wo-LED-Head-and-Tail-Light/000928330,default,pd.html

[joko]

some people always think they can do it.
some people think its only dangerous for other people because other people aren't as good as them at driving, and it will all be fine because they do it all the time, so have had practice

some people are idiots. some people will always be idiots

[gness]

I wish I knew what the answer was, Bazile. I have a group of very close friends...eight of us. In 2008, in the space of twelve weeks, three of our husbands died unexpectedly....and much too young.
The following year we decided to pull ourselves together and booked a girl's trip abroad for one of our sixtieth birthdays.
A week before we were due to go another husband was knocked of his bike and died. He had all the correct gear...an experienced and careful rider.
The chap who killed him got off with a fine. He hadn't noticed the cyclist.
He was devastated and very sorry...but we shouldn't be so cocooned in our cars perhaps.

[pixie373]

That's awful, gness, so sorry.
I do wonder though (perhaps that's a different thread) whether punishment for crimes should depend on the intentions, rather than the outcome? (and yes, drink-driving or using a mobile, i would include as intentional)

[Eve]

It seems round here that all road users could do with being more aware, I live near an accident blackspot road, very busy and full of cars, buses, cyclists and emergency services vehicles.

I saw a cyclist hit and get thrown up by a car a few weeks back, it sounded like one hell of an impact and the cyclist was incredibly lucky not to have been more seriously injured than he was, especially considering I couldn't see any helmet or protective gear. I had phoned the ambulance and waited with the lad until the police and ambulance got there. The driver of the car was sobbing. Awful for all parties and it ended up not to be as serious as it could have been. I don't think some people realise what lack of concentration or care can lead to.