Road rage thug mows down cyclist

[magnatom]

No-one in their right mind thinks hitting someone with a car might just scratch them. This defence has only been accepted (IMO) because it can be difficult for the prosecution to prove that the accused is bright enough to know better.

This could be solved if punishment for any use of a car as a weapon had harsher sentences, thus suggesting the danger that such actions possess. Thus the prosecution would no longer have to prove that the driver had any understanding of the risks to the victim. This would be fair, because, part of the reason for imprisonment is for the protection of others, and if a driver is willing to use a car as a weapon and doesn't understand the damage that a car can cause, the the safest place for them to be, from a public safety point of view, is behind bars.

A life time driving ban should also be passed in these instances. This is common sense, IMO.

 

[ComedyPilot]

No-one in their right mind thinks hitting someone with a car might just scratch them. This defence has only been accepted (IMO) because it can be difficult for the prosecution to prove that the accused is bright enough to know better.

This could be solved if punishment for any use of a car as a weapon had harsher sentences, thus suggesting the danger that such actions possess. Thus the prosecution would no longer have to prove that the driver had any understanding of the risks to the victim. This would be fair, because, part of the reason for imprisonment is for the protection of others, and if a driver is willing to use a car as a weapon and doesn't understand the damage that a car can cause, the the safest place for them to be, from a public safety point of view, is behind bars.

A life time driving ban should also be passed in these instances. This is common sense, IMO.

Ever thought of being a judge Magnatom?

 

[magnatom]

Ever thought of being a judge Magnatom?

No, then I would have to send good folk to prison and let the thugs away with murder. Not that I am suggesting that there are any problems with the justice system..... oh no...

 

[very-near]

5 years getting his arse reamed every night would make him think about his anger management problems. Any less for assault with a deadly weapon is not justice for this poor guy. At 58 years of age, his injuries may never heal properly

 

[buggi]

i worked for a criminal lawyer and it is sad to say that the CPS do plea bargain, to secure convictions. They should have more balls and fight for justice, but the problem is they can't afford the better barristers, and barristers are very good at planting a seed of doubt in the jurors mind, and that's all they need to get their client off, because the last words of the judge to the jury are "if you have even the smallest doubt you must find the defendant not guilty".

justice system??? what justice system, it's a crock of shoot. the judge's last words should say, "if you have even the smallest doubt, use your fecking common sense and convict the bastard".

 

[mr_cellophane]

A life time driving ban should also be passed in these instances. This is common sense, IMO.

The problem with that is that the type of person who behaves in this manner is highly likely to continue driving and put the public at greater risk.

 

[HLaB]

just read this in my local paper
http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/co...wsromford&itemid=WeED17 Apr 2009 11:05:07:610

glad i didn't meet him and his anger management problems

Words fail me
We shouldn't even be discussing a driving ban (that should be a given) that was attempted murder. Unfortunately he'll probably only get few months jail and driving ban setting a dangerous precedent to Tw@ts like that, its OK to try and murder someone as long as you do it with a car

 

[just4fun]

no reason not to charge him with attempted murder, this might seem extreme but romford would be a nicer place for a while

 

[hackbike 666]

no reason not to charge him with attempted murder, this might seem extreme but romford would be a nicer place for a while

Not extreme no.He should take responsibility for being an almighty half wit and banned from driving till he grows up,say twenty years.

 

[Sig SilverPrinter]

no reason not to charge him with attempted murder, this might seem extreme but romford would be a nicer place for a while

I don't think anything would make Romford a better place

 

[summerdays]

i think it would help if they taught drivers more about cyclists taking primary position on the roads, during lessons and tests. there should be a whole section of the test designated to it, because it's obvious to me that drivers don't have a clue why we take primary and that's why they get so pissed off.

I totally agree.

 

[dudi]

I don't think anything would make Romford a better place

Nothing that isn't strictly prohibited under the Geneva Convention...

 

[dudi]

i think it would help if they taught drivers more about cyclists taking primary position on the roads, during lessons and tests. there should be a whole section of the test designated to it, because it's obvious to me that drivers don't have a clue why we take primary and that's why they get so pissed off. obviously it wouldn't stop tw@ts like this because they are just out to cause harm, but it might create a bit of tolerance with Joe Public

Quite right, but rather than just concentrate on cyclists, they ought to deal with the issues faced by all types of road users. In this way the driver of a car would have a better understanding of the seemingly irrational behaviour of a Lorry Driver, Motorcyclist, Bus Driver, Cyclist... all of which have their own particular quirks and skills in driving/riding that you do not consider when in a car - probably because the roads are designed primarily for the use of car drivers (quite rightly too, as they are the most common user).

That may help with drivers understanding, and may help boost the miniscule amount of common sense held by a lot of drivers to a level where they consider how their actions affect others before they carry out a dangerous manouever - rather than just think "...being held up... 40mph road... must pass without slowing... should be room... won't scratch car..."

 

[very-near]

This case is being discussed on a m/cycle forum I am a member of.

A comparison has been drawn against the actions of this driver against the cyclist, and one of the members mates recently caught speeding in excess of 150mph. What will draw the biggest sentence ?

 

[Wigsie]

no reason not to charge him with attempted murder, this might seem extreme but romford would be a nicer place for a while

Well if you hit someone in the head with a 2kg brick it would be attempted murder.... so hitting someone with a one tonne car should be taken the same no questions!

An old school friend is now a barrister and i always ask him how he can defend people like that... he doesnt comment back much!