Another fatality in London

[Merry_Wanderer]

I don't think attacking meic, another CTC member on a public forum adds anything to the debate, particularly when what they have said is factually correct. The person was found not guilty.

[mjr]

I wouldn't interpret too much from the rider not reporting it. Last incident I reported to Norfolk police didn't even get an acknowledgement. I'll not bother again unless it's cast iron (witnesses, video, whatever). We need more traffic police, not only London.

[snibgo]

The punishment for her guilty crimes seems entirely consistent with p127 of the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines.

Personally, I have no complaint with her punishment. In my bleaker moments I want prison for any motorist who comes within 50 yards of a cyclist but that's not reasonable.

Slightly more realistically, I'd like the definition of "dangerous driving" to be changed but I suspect she wouldn't have been found guilty of that either.

[AndyBSG]

Slightly more realistically, I'd like the definition of "dangerous driving" to be changed but I suspect she wouldn't have been found guilty of that either.

Maybe they need a new offence of 'Stupid driving'... Unfortunately I think 50% of drivers would end up with a criminal record if that was bought in

[mike_dowler]

Maybe they need a new offence of 'Stupid driving'... Unfortunately I think 50% of drivers would end up with a criminal record if that was bought in

And that is exactly what we don't need. The problem at the moment is that juries won't convict, because they could see themselves doing the same thing. We need to persuade motorists that it is really just a small minority who drive dangerously.

[charlie the cat]

There is a piece on Yahoo about this issue and the usual trolls/loony tunes/Nazis/extremists are out in numbers. Could bite my lip/typing finger no longer and have 'copy and pasted' below what is obviously a reasoned and intelligent view from moi;)


I had to go to the city centre (B'ham) for a training course last week and thought I would take the train. First morning the train was delayed and the overcrowding/jostling was ridiculous (quite pricey as well). Got there flustered/frustrated/ready to go home!

Thought #$%$ this so next day took my bike. Google maps routed me around Stirchley Island near Oldbury which I guessed would be busy but MY GOD - needs to be experienced to be believed.

Coming back went a different route but the problems anywhere near conurbations is the gridlock. I passed/ filtered for miles maybe thousands of cars and lorries simply not moving. So do the pro-car/anti-bike people think I and all other cyclists should get in our cars and add many thousands of more cars to this madness?

Please look up Chris Boardman and what he says about what kind of towns and cities we want for ourselves and our children.

[661-Pete]

In my bleaker moments I want prison for any motorist who comes within 50 yards of a cyclist but that's not reasonable.

If your wish ever comes to be granted, you will send me a pie won't you!? With a file baked into it of course....

It's very tempting to sign up for the 'Bring Back the Birch' brigade if that's the way some people are inclined. After all, in my personal experience, the "rod was not spared" on us when I was a small kid - neither by my father nor by my teachers. That was the 'done thing' in those days, and no point whingeing...

So what is the purpose of penalties: what are they meant to achieve? To my mind two things: deter the offender from re-offending, and deter others from 'copycat' offending. I doubt if the woman in this particular case will re-offend, at least not recklessly. As for others.... well, has the penalty been sufficient? Evidently some on here still think, no.

Incidentally we're way off topic re the thread subject, but I suppose there's little more to be said on that.