Compassion plea after cycle death

The family of a cyclist killed in a collision with a car has asked a
court to show compassion for the driver.

Howard Owen, 29, ran into Kate Auchterlonie, 28, from Cardiff, as she
rode her bicycle on the A469 mountain road near Caerphilly in
February.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8201512.stm



"He had lowered his sun visor and he did not see Miss Auchterlonie.
Plainly as a result of that he collided with her and the offence was
committed.




Accidents *do* happen


--

The BMA (British Medical Association) urges legislation to make the wearing of cycle helmets compulsory for both adults and children.

The evidence from those countries where compulsory cycle helmet use has already been introduced is that such legislation has a beneficial effect on cycle-related deaths and head injuries.
This strongly supports the case for introducing legislation in the UK. Such legislation should result in a reduction in the morbidity and mortality associated with cycling accidents.

Judith M Smith wrote:

Accidents *do* happen

Yes, they do, but the driver's admission of causing death by dangerous
driving and the prosecution's statement that he had seven seconds to see
the cyclist seem to indicate that this was not one of them.

Your sig is broken again

--
Roger Thorpe

Standing on a golf course, dressed in PVC.....

On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:14:28 +0100, Roger Thorpe
wrote:

Judith M Smith wrote:

Accidents *do* happen

Yes, they do, but the driver's admission of causing death by dangerous
driving and the prosecution's statement that he had seven seconds to see
the cyclist seem to indicate that this was not one of them.

Your sig is broken again


It was an accident.

He obviously did not see her - for what ever reason.

He could do no other than plead guilty - to the only charge possible.
There is no offence of "Knocking someone off a bike"

At least her family seem to accept that it was an accident.

Cycling on main roads - shared by other vehicles - can be dangerous -
and accidents may happen.



--

The BMA (British Medical Association) urges legislation to make the wearing of cycle helmets compulsory for both adults and children.

The evidence from those countries where compulsory cycle helmet use has already been introduced is that such legislation has a beneficial effect on cycle-related deaths and head injuries.
This strongly supports the case for introducing legislation in the UK. Such legislation should result in a reduction in the morbidity and mortality associated with cycling accidents.

On 15 Aug, 18:30, Judith M Smith wrote:
On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:14:28 +0100, Roger Thorpe

wrote:
Judith M Smith wrote:

Accidents *do* happen

Yes, they do, but the driver's admission of causing death by dangerous
driving and the prosecution's statement that he had seven seconds to see
the cyclist seem to indicate that this was not one of them.

Your sig is broken again

It *was an accident.

He obviously did not see her - for what ever reason.

Well, if he didn't see her, he ought not to have a driving license,
should he?

"Judith M Smith" wrote in message
...

It was an accident.

He obviously did not see her - for what ever reason.

The report suggests that the sun was in his eyes, he was reaching for the
visor and was travelling at 40 mph.

I think there is a lesson to be learnt there. For me it is that if I am
driving along and the sun gets in my eyes I will first slow down.

Cycling on main roads - shared by other vehicles - can be dangerous -
and accidents may happen.

Indeed, and something to remember is that if the sun is suddenly is in your
eyes, be aware that it may happen to the driver behind too, so be prepared
to get out of the way of a momentarily blinded driver reaching for the
visor.

On 15 Aug, 19:26, Simon Brooke wrote:
On 15 Aug, 18:30, Judith M Smith wrote:



On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:14:28 +0100, Roger Thorpe

wrote:
Judith M Smith wrote:

Accidents *do* happen

Yes, they do, but the driver's admission of causing death by dangerous
driving and the prosecution's statement that he had seven seconds to see
the cyclist seem to indicate that this was not one of them.

Your sig is broken again

It *was an accident.

He obviously did not see her - for what ever reason.

Well, if he didn't see her, he ought not to have a driving license,
should he?

Total bollox, there are occasions when one is temporarily blinded
without warning, no big deal on a bike you just stop, hoping the guy
behind can see you silouetted against the glare. In a motor vehicle
you deploy the sun screen but the eyes still take a second or so to
readjust, sufficient time to run over the blinded cycle who has
stopped in the road in front of you.

On 15 Aug, 21:41, NM wrote:
On 15 Aug, 19:26, Simon Brooke wrote:



On 15 Aug, 18:30, Judith M Smith wrote:

On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:14:28 +0100, Roger Thorpe

wrote:
Judith M Smith wrote:

Accidents *do* happen

Yes, they do, but the driver's admission of causing death by dangerous
driving and the prosecution's statement that he had seven seconds to see
the cyclist seem to indicate that this was not one of them.

Your sig is broken again

It *was an accident.

He obviously did not see her - for what ever reason.

Well, if he didn't see her, he ought not to have a driving license,
should he?

Total bollox, there are occasions when one is temporarily blinded
without warning, no big deal on a bike you just stop, hoping the guy
behind can see you silouetted against the glare. In a motor vehicle
you deploy the sun screen but the eyes still take a second or so to
readjust, sufficient time to run over the blinded cycle who has
stopped in the road in front of you.

You know, motor vehicles are fitted with brakes, too. If you are
affected by glare and cannot see that the road is clear, you *must*
stop - it doesn't matter what vehicle you are using.

On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:26:43 -0700 (PDT), Simon Brooke
wrote:

snip



Well, if he didn't see her, he ought not to have a driving license,
should he?

He won't have for a couple of years.

Prosecutor Michael Mather-Lees said other drivers said their vision
was affected by strong sun on the morning of the crash on 17 February.
He said there was no suggestion that Owen had been speeding on the
40mph speed limit road.


It was an accident.

Cycling on roads shared by motor vehicles can be dangerous.



--

British Medical Association (BMA)
View on helmets:

Several studies provided solid scientific evidence that bicycle helmets
protect against head, brain, severe brain and facial injuries,
as well as death, as a result of cycling accidents

Simon Brooke wrote:
On 15 Aug, 21:41, NM wrote:
On 15 Aug, 19:26, Simon Brooke wrote:



On 15 Aug, 18:30, Judith M Smith wrote:

On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:14:28 +0100, Roger Thorpe

wrote:
Judith M Smith wrote:

Accidents *do* happen

Yes, they do, but the driver's admission of causing death by dangerous
driving and the prosecution's statement that he had seven seconds to see
the cyclist seem to indicate that this was not one of them.

Your sig is broken again

It *was an accident.

He obviously did not see her - for what ever reason.

Well, if he didn't see her, he ought not to have a driving license,
should he?

Total bollox, there are occasions when one is temporarily blinded
without warning, no big deal on a bike you just stop, hoping the guy
behind can see you silouetted against the glare. In a motor vehicle
you deploy the sun screen but the eyes still take a second or so to
readjust, sufficient time to run over the blinded cycle who has
stopped in the road in front of you.

You know, motor vehicles are fitted with brakes, too. If you are
affected by glare and cannot see that the road is clear, you *must*
stop - it doesn't matter what vehicle you are using.

Although the 40 tonne artic behind you might just make you think otherwise.
It's not black and white. Not that I've a lot of sympathy for the driver,
seven seconds is a long time. Even with a 40 tonne artic behind you.

Nobby

On 16 Aug, 00:01, Nobby Anderson wrote:
Simon Brooke wrote:
On 15 Aug, 21:41, NM wrote:
On 15 Aug, 19:26, Simon Brooke wrote:

On 15 Aug, 18:30, Judith M Smith wrote:

On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:14:28 +0100, Roger Thorpe

wrote:
Judith M Smith wrote:

Accidents *do* happen

Yes, they do, but the driver's admission of causing death by dangerous
driving and the prosecution's statement that he had seven seconds to see
the cyclist seem to indicate that this was not one of them.

Your sig is broken again

It *was an accident.

He obviously did not see her - for what ever reason.

Well, if he didn't see her, he ought not to have a driving license,
should he?

Total bollox, there are occasions when one is temporarily blinded
without warning, no big deal on a bike you just stop, hoping the guy
behind can see you silouetted against the glare. In a motor vehicle
you deploy the sun screen but the eyes still take a second or so to
readjust, sufficient time to run over the blinded cycle who has
stopped in the road in front of you.

You know, motor vehicles are fitted with brakes, too. If you are
affected by glare and cannot see that the road is clear, you *must*
stop - it doesn't matter what vehicle you are using.

Although the 40 tonne artic behind you might just make you think otherwise.
It's not black and white. *Not that I've a lot of sympathy for the driver,
seven seconds is a long time. *Even with a 40 tonne artic behind you.

If you are 'blinded', how can you 'stop in the distance you can see to
be clear'? You can't. So you *must* stop, immediately. It's not
optional, it's the law. The artic must also stop, either because he's
blinded, or because he sees you stopping. So no problem.