Shifting blame

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Big Andy

Über Member
Any time a driver hits anyone, or anything, because they were driving too fast for their immediate situation, and were unable to see at least as far as they needed to stop in, I say they are to blame. Our criminal justice system has lost sight of this very reasonable principle.
A very simplistic approach that would probably be appropriate in an "ideal" world, however we don't live in an ideal world, seems the coroner is aware of that.
 

Drago

Legendary Member
Just because he's the coroner doesn't automatically make him correct. His trousers go on one leg at a time, just like anyone else. Plenty of errors are made in legal proceedings at all levels.

A fundamental commandment of vehicle use is "thou shalt not drive faster than one can see to be clear." As Adrian pointed out, this is kindergarten stuff as detailed in the highway code. It's no different in principle to having the sun in your eyes, or driving in 8/8 fog - if you can't see forward, then don't bloody well drive forward.
 

Big Andy

Über Member
Can you not conceive of a situation where the distance you can see to be clear is dramatically reduced in an extremely short time? In the real world it happens! Most of us have to live in the real world which the coroner appears to realise.
 

Big Andy

Über Member
The coroner's probably a second rate solicitor who couldn't make ends meet in conveyancing....
Really? Possibly maybe but pushing it to suggest probably.
 

Drago

Legendary Member
Can you not conceive of a situation where the distance you can see to be clear is dramatically reduced in an extremely short time? In the real world it happens! Most of us have to live in the real world which the coroner appears to realise.

i can, and so can most car manufacturers. They're so au fait with this concept that their fit their vehicles with a throttle pedal that works in both directions, and a brake pedal. Clever stuff. Unfortunately, as clever as these devices are they're only as smart as the loose nut behind the wheel.

Being in the real world is not an excuse for proceeding forward when your vision is compromised. I'm not the Wold's best driver - I chuffing hate driving - but even i know that unlit roads can contain all sorts of nasty surprises, and I set my velocity and caution levels accordingly. I drive in the real World and I know I can reasonably expect to encounter unlit pedestrians, wildlife, cars parked facing into the traffic flow, and take this into account. Real World driving is far more hazardous than a laboratory or a simulator, and the standard of control and behaviour should be set accordingly higher as a consequence, not lower.

The Coroner clearly has never heard of this concept, one of drivers taking responsibility for matching their road behaviour for the road conditions. Apparently it's now ok to plough on regardless and run over who you like, just so long as they're wearing black.
 
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