Who's to blame for this tragic collision?

[Accy cyclist]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Audi-hard-shoulder-M1-killing-three-men.html

Some comments suggest the driver of the car, as he stopped on the hard shoulder for a non emergency. The way i see it,his oil warning light was probably flashing and if he'd attempted to drive to the next exit his car might've conked out before reaching safety. The bus driver consistently ignored signs saying that the hard shoulder was for emergencies only Should someone at 78 be driving a PSV?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Why are you asking this question?

Edited to add alt link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-38001454

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Entirely the coach drivers fault. At the end of the day, anybody who smashes into a stationary object is at fault. Especially in a closed lane.

However, stopping on a motorway and topping up oil is a little suspect. I mean who actually carries oil around in their car? It seems like they knew there was an issue, and drove on a motorway with no real safe stopping places in a faulty vehicle. Stupid, but can hardly be blamed for the collision.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I mean who actually carries oil around in their car?

I do. Really, and I always have done. I also carry spare water, anti-freeze and windscreen fluid.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Why are you asking this question?

Edited to add alt link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-38001454

I ask because although i know the driver's been found guilty, i'm slightly surprised that some people think it could've been avoided if the car wasn't there in the first place. It's more a question in response to the way people see/read, things than the outcome of the court case.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

i'm slightly surprised that some people think it could've been avoided if the car wasn't there in the first place

Aye, but that argument's a bit like "If my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle".

 

[Accy cyclist]

I mean who actually carries oil around in their car?

I sometimes do but i never drive with a full tank of fuel. Not only am i being tight but i see gallons of fuel in a car as a bomb waiting to go off if hit by a large vehicle. Maybe i'd die anyway due to the impact but why add to the danger, unless you're going on a long journey and haven't time to refuel?

 

[DCLane]

I mean who actually carries oil around in their car?

+1 for me - I've done so for years. And if the light went on you'd stop.

Lane closed with a vehicle which has it's hazard warning lights on = coach driver error

 

[PhilDawson8270]

And if the light went on you'd stop.

Lane closed = coach driver error

Certainly, but if you check the car regularly. You'd either know it was losing oil and have it sorted. Or you'd be experiencing a sudden loss of oil and wouldn't risk driving on.

 

[MontyVeda]

Dunno why the concept of carrying spare oil is strange... surely it's as normal as carrying a puncture kit and pump?

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Dunno why the concept of carrying spare oil is strange... surely it's as normal as carrying a puncture kit and pump?

I don't carry anything other than a mini compressor, and puncture sealant. I do carry an RAC card though.

I find the concept of driving around in a car that is leaking fluids to the extent you need to carry them in the car is strange. And if your vehicle leaks fluids to the point you need to carry them around, that taking it on the motorway isn't the best idea.

 

[Tin Pot]

It is of ultimate importance in any event to establish, first and foremost, who is to blame.

 

[burntoutbanger]

Not a lot of storage in our house so anything car related (oil, foot-pump, screen wash etc) stays in a box in the boot. I'm not going to be using any of those things on anything but the car anyway.

 

[swee'pea99]

I do. Really, and I always have done. I also carry spare water, anti-freeze and windscreen fluid.

I bet you have a blanket and a thermos of nourishing soup too, right?

 

[nickyboy]

Dunno why the concept of carrying spare oil is strange... surely it's as normal as carrying a puncture kit and pump?

Completely different. You get a puncture...you can't continue. All modern cars have an oil warning light that tells you when the oil level is getting low. Light comes on....you have plenty of time to drive home and fill up with oil in the garage, or go to a shop or wherever. No need to carry oil, just like no need to carry a jerry can of petrol.