'Shock' at cyclists' crash deaths

[NewsBot]

Residents speak of their shock at the deaths of two cyclists in an apparent hit-and-run crash in Hanham near Bristol.

 

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[sailor sam]

yes indeed, shocking. Apparently the driver is disqualified so also not insured. He has been charged with 2 counts of causing death by dangerous driving which carries a max penalty of 14 years (so in theory could get 28 years). As far as i'm concerned, due to his blatant disregard for the law, he should get the max penalty. What's the odds on him getting no where near that?

 

Please Note

 

The advice I offer will be based on the information given by the person needing it. All my advice is based on my experiences and knowledge gained in working in the motor and passenger transport industries in various capacities. Although my advice will always be sincere, it should be used as guidence only.

 

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[DigitalProduct]

The police chased him and caused the crash. Unless they had a good reason to do so the blame lies with them.

[sailor sam]

The police chased him and caused the crash. Unless they had a good reason to do so the blame lies with them.

 

It must of been an awful experience for you to have witnessed it.

 

Fact of the matter is that the driver should not have been there at all as he was not legally entitled to be behind the wheel. It's highly likely that had he been legal, the police would not of been chasing him. As for who was actually to blame for the actual crash, I can't comment because I wasn't there but obviously you must have been to make such a definitive statement.

 

Please Note

 

The advice I offer will be based on the information given by the person needing it. All my advice is based on my experiences and knowledge gained in working in the motor and passenger transport industries in various capacities. Although my advice will always be sincere, it should be used as guidence only.

 

I would always urge to seek face to face professional advice for clarification prior to taking any action.

 

Please click my reputation 'star' button at the bottom of my profile window on the left if you found my advice useful.

[DigitalProduct]

Obviously. Everyone's entitled to transport and the police have gotten a little too used to taking peoples property on a whim.

[Andrew-P]

The police chased him and caused the crash. Unless they had a good reason to do so the blame lies with them.

 

What a pathetic post.

 

The fault is entirely with the person who hit them - to excuse him by blaming the police in such an uninformed way is disgusting.

 

I just feel sorry for the two unfortunate cyclists and their families.

 

Unlike you I have no sympathy for the driver that killed them.

[renegadeimp]

Any uninsured driver, or driver without a licence that knocks someone down, seriously injures or kills them, should have PERMANENT revocation of their ability to hold a licence, AND spent a considerable time in prison WITHOUT possibility of parole. The laws regarding this kind of thing are way too lax. We need to take a leaf from the USA, where in the vast majority of states it is considered assault with a deadly weapon, and killing someone with a car is considered murder. Both crimes punishable by a serious amount of time in prison, the latter almost always having a lifetime sentence.

 

Only then will the idiots out there take any notice.

[Guest]

not re cyclists, but recently man city youth player admitted causing death x2 by careless driving (speeding (double the limit) and messing around). only 16 months inside, likely to be out in 8 months!

another recent case, woman texting whilst driving, goes off road, kills an oap pedestrian, 18 months!

Edited March 2, 2013 by Ford

[renegadeimp]

Money talks ford

[Guest]

i know. dirty cash an all that..

walking down my street, every 5 or so car drivers on the phone!! street was targeted by police not so long ago, and they nicked quite a few, but hasn't made any difference since. i'm going vigilante, to be seen on you tube

Edited March 5, 2013 by Ford

[Andrew-P]

Any uninsured driver, or driver without a licence that knocks someone down, seriously injures or kills them, should have PERMANENT revocation of their ability to hold a licence, AND spent a considerable time in prison WITHOUT possibility of parole. The laws regarding this kind of thing are way too lax. We need to take a leaf from the USA, where in the vast majority of states it is considered assault with a deadly weapon, and killing someone with a car is considered murder. Both crimes punishable by a serious amount of time in prison, the latter almost always having a lifetime sentence.

 

Only then will the idiots out there take any notice.

 

Not sure killing someone is akin to murder but sentencing should be equivalent to manslaughter unless the intent is proven. I can't understand why sentencing seems to be so low.

 

Many magistrates issue sentences / fines for being uninsured that are so low they are effectively condoning having no insurance.

 

That's what we get for having too many in the legal profession who see criminals as victims and true victims as only out for revenge.

[Andrew-P]

not re cyclists, but recently man city youth player admitted causing death x2 by careless driving (speeding (double the limit) and messing around). only 16 months inside, likely to be out in 8 months!

another recent case, woman texting whilst driving, goes off road, kills an oap pedestrian, 18 months!

 

Crazy - the sentencing judges should be ashamed of themselves

[renegadeimp]

Not sure killing someone is akin to murder but sentencing should be equivalent to manslaughter unless the intent is proven. I can't understand why sentencing seems to be so low.

 

Many magistrates issue sentences / fines for being uninsured that are so low they are effectively condoning having no insurance.

 

That's what we get for having too many in the legal profession who see criminals as victims and true victims as only out for revenge.

 

If you drive in an unsafe and dangerous manner and then kill someone, it should be treated as murder. The fact that you delibrately drove like that knowing you could do some serious harm should be intent enough.

[Guest]

Crazy - the sentencing judges should be ashamed of themselves

 

there was no doubt a 'plea bargain' involved, ie admit to death by careless rather than prosecution for dangerous.

unfortunately, J's sentencing is guided by their statutory guidelines which they can't really detract from, otherwise there would be an appeal.

and, as rene says, certain economics rule. not enough prison space, not enough cash to build and staff new prisons, policy reasons, etc etc.

imagine if the min sentence for death by careless/dangerous driving was the same for murder or at least discretionary re manslaughter. would think people would be more careful, or would they? there is not much deterrent anymore re certain sentences. can commit murder and be out in around 10, or less!

Edited March 9, 2013 by Ford