BoldonLad
Not part of the Elite
- Location
- South Tyneside
Is this the driver of the car's fault?
- Thread starter Accy cyclist
- Start date
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DRM
Guru
- Location
- West Yorks
It is with difficulty that I remember that far back, but, yes, in late 1964 I recall as a learner driver, being taken to unmarked cross roads, as a part of my driving lessons.
The one I was taken to has now been painted with giveway lines, I can't remember the last time I actually came across one recently
BoldonLad
Not part of the Elite
- Location
- South Tyneside
presta
Guru
A car has had me off the bike just once, and in very similar circumstances: it pulled out in front of me and I somersaulted over it along with the bike. I landed in the road at the far side, but I got away with just cuts & bruises though. The police weren't interested, even after he moved house without paying for the damage.
The bike travels 6.7 wheel diameters in 410ms, which is 25mph if it's a 27" wheel.
Careless or inconsiderate cycling isn't though.
I don't think society ever really makes up its mind whether we're punishing actions or consequences.
I think there are as many who think "Oh, it's only a cyclist" as there are who don't see, I've had people look me straight in the eye and then pull out. There seems to be an expectation that cyclists will only be travelling slowly, and blame to be dished out if they aren't.
When the police came round after I wrote my TR7 off I freely admitted without prompting that it was my fault for driving too fast. At no time have I ever pretended otherwise to anyone.
classic33
Leg End Member
It's not the police you should have gone to, when he stopped paying. Which is probably why they "weren't interested".
Given the picture posted earlier, showing the state of the road and the view to the left at that junction, I'd have been taking a similar line to the cyclist that got hit. I don't see how they were riding can be considered careless or inconsiderate cycling. Especially as they were on the major road, hit by a car whose driver didn't bother stopping as required.
I, as a cyclist, have the same rights to use the road network* in this country just as much as anyone else doing so legally. If they think I'm not allowed then they'd better be able to prove it.
*Excludes the motorway network and "A(M)" roads.
Rusty Nails
We remember
- Location
- Living in the slow lane
Do you really believe he thought " Oh, that's a 71 year old so I'll have plenty of time to cross the junction", and that he would have done something different if it was a 40 year old riding the bike?
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.u...-injury-by-careless-or-inconsiderate-driving/ new sentencing guidelines starting to bite!
Alex321
Veteran
- Location
- South Wales
Most of those aren't of much relevance though, since the offence the driver was charged with was only created last year, coming into force on 28th June 2022.
Any offence committed before that date would have been charged under a different offence, with different sentencing options.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
It still staggers me that someone can cause serious injury or death to another innocent person, and not be banned from life from accessing the type of weapon they used in the commission of the act.
Slick
Guru
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-67728935
I still think there is more to that sentence than pulling out on a cyclist.
Alex321
Veteran
- Location
- South Wales
The one you quote is clearly too low a sentence. Causing death by dangerous driving is a harsher sentence than causing serious injury
Slick
Guru
Which is why some are left scratching their head at other sentences like the one being discussed.
Obviously we don't know all the details.
Getting further away from the OP but still on topic, there was a young lad in court today who received community service for causing a crash that killed his mate in the passenger seat.
The judge commented that nothing would be gained by ruining another young man's life.
As already pointed out by another poster, you might not have shared his generous spirit if it was someone close to you.
Weird - that almost exactly describes my one-and-only SMIDSY! (bloody hurt too) *
Now I'm much more paranoid at those sort of junctions ... but roads can be busy, and situations complicated; it's still possible that some loon (like @Accy cyclist 's new friend, thankfully in prison for several months now) will take me out through their impatience and negligence - and I hope they get the book thrown at them.
*Driver apologised profusely ... but still got nicked. Good.
The driver that hit me got an €80 fine and a few penalty points for careless driving. I assume his insurance will have taken a steep rise. The driver's brother who was immediately behind the van in another car said I was going too fast and there was nothing that could have been done to avoid it. Maybe try stopping at junctions?
My uncle never stops complaining about how ridiculous it was that they charged the driver and it's just the government raising money by fining drivers that didn't do anything wrong.
Until there is a major attitude change in society, very little will ever change. A complete lack of road traffic policing around here doesn't help either.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
No.
I did not say that. I dont think he even saw them. I was just saying she was doing an impressive speed for a 71 year old.
Now wind your neck back in
classic33
Leg End Member
Going downhill?
