|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
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..... |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
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. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
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? |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
"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. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
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. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
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. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
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 |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
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 |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Compassion plea after cycle death
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. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Wheels for All - a plea for help | Liz[_2_] | UK | 17 | November 26th 08 12:41 PM |
Kicking cyclists to death and watching them cycle off cliffs | Mark Thompson | UK | 2 | February 27th 07 10:46 PM |
Banana's plea for help. | Callistus Valerius | Racing | 4 | June 23rd 06 06:04 PM |
A plea for netiquette | Mikefule | Unicycling | 53 | August 5th 05 05:44 AM |
Cycle Event Director criminally liable for Competitor's death | Snoopy | Racing | 78 | September 10th 03 02:55 AM |