Sad for everyone this one...

Originally Posted by Ed

Tragic.

I can't be too sympathetic though. She killed somebody. Let's face it, it could have been you, it could have been me, it could have been any of us. She admitted causing death by dangerous driving, and that carries a more or less automatic custodial. As Ben points out, we don't know all the facts but the standard of carelessness has to be very high.

just quoted you on this ed (hope you dont mind) becuase you took the words from my mouth so i copied and pasted it into the reader reply.. the women who says that she should of got a ban and a fine.. needs a maasive SLAP ! !

Originally Posted by Caddy2000

Also driving is not a right! It is a privelidge!

I hate that saying. We should be privilaged that some git in government allows us to drive?

The such draconian and judgemental views are held by educated middle-class bikers, I can't help but think that death of liberty is just around the corner.

A major purpose of punishment (and the only purpose that is of benefit to the majority of the rest of the public, most of the time) is to make people think twice before they act.

She's apparently distraught because she's taken a life, but unfortunately for her there has to be a serious punishment dished out, because perhaps not everybody else would be.
I like to see big punishments for serious crimes, because it's a great deterrent to other possible criminals. Maybe if she does some time in the clink one or two other elderly motorists will have a think about that. I'd like to see some hefty sentences dished out to the punk kids that terrorise many of our towns and cities these days.

All very sad but isn't that what accidents are all about. I have very strong feelings on this subject. I would agree with the relatively small jail sentence but I would remove the possibility of this lady and anyone else found guilty of similar,from ever being in that position again.

Life time ban in all cases when another party has either been injured or killed by the action of the accused.

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

I hate that saying. We should be privilaged that some git in government allows us to drive?

The such draconian and judgemental views are held by educated middle-class bikers, I can't help but think that death of liberty is just around the corner.

FS, you're going soft. I assume that you're referring to the fact that several on here support the jail sentence, rather than to the 'privilege not a right' point. I don't see how you can escape from the harsh and brutal truth that, because of this woman's actions, her thoughtlessness, recklessness or whatever else it was (as I don't have the full facts), someone had to organise a funeral. It might have been a minor slip of judgement for all I know but it had severe consequences. I do believe that when this sort of thing happens, other motorists have to understand that society takes a dim view. Else, why bother checking the mirror?

I do agree with you that the death of liberty is around the corner. But that's for other reasons, not the insistence that people who drive dangerously (or, if you prefer, far below the standard of a careful and competent driver) and kill people should be held to account.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

I hate that saying. We should be privilaged that some git in government allows us to drive?

+1

IMO sending her to prison is not going to achieve anything at all, from the article she sounds like a total moron who can't drive, I doubt this will be a useful deterrent to other mad, blind cagers either.
I'd say lifetime ban and crush her car.

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

I hate that saying. We should be privilaged that some git in government allows us to drive?

The such draconian and judgemental views are held by educated middle-class bikers, I can't help but think that death of liberty is just around the corner.

It has nothing to do with 'some git in the government' allowing us to drive; it has everything to do with the fact that in the wrong hands it is an extremely dangerous machine! There needs to a system in place that ensures that those who want to drive can do so at a minimum SAFE standard.

Standards are slipping in this country as far as roadcraft are concerned, and it has so much more to do with people's attitude than their technical ability and gobbing off about 'my right' tends to show that aggressive behaviour that is more and more common on the roads
'It is my right to be here'
'This is my lane'
'If I want to sit in the middle lane I shall'

What happened to
'Does that PERSON need a bit more room'
'Do I need to be in the over taking lane'
'What may happen if I do this?'

I am geting really fed up with having to fight a battle to get to work whilst trying to be decent and courteous to others.

You say that it's your right, well I feel privelidged to be able to get on my bike or in my car to go wherever I want! So I will respect the fact that it can be taken away from me. I need my licence, and would be right royally without it.
More than that; I never want to inflict pain on someone that I do not know by my actions, let alone kill them!

And don't give me that 'middle class biker' ********! Have you ever met me?

Originally Posted by Ed

FS, you're going soft. I assume that you're referring to the fact that several on here support the jail sentence, rather than to the 'privilege not a right' point. I don't see how you can escape from the harsh and brutal truth that, because of this woman's actions, her thoughtlessness, recklessness or whatever else it was (as I don't have the full facts), someone had to organise a funeral. It might have been a minor slip of judgement for all I know but it had severe consequences. I do believe that when this sort of thing happens, other motorists have to understand that society takes a dim view. Else, why bother checking the mirror?

I do agree with you that the death of liberty is around the corner. But that's for other reasons, not the insistence that people who drive dangerously (or, if you prefer, far below the standard of a careful and competent driver) and kill people should be held to account.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that jail isn't appropriate in this case - it might well be. But we don't know, because as you say we don't have all the facts. Dispite this however, we've still had a lynch mob form.

People baying for blood when; they don't know the people involved and don't know all the facts about the incident, that's what I dislike.

Originally Posted by Caddy2000

It has nothing to do with 'some git in the government' allowing us to drive; it has everything to do with the fact that in the wrong hands it is an extremely dangerous machine! There needs to a system in place that ensures that those who want to drive can do so at a minimum SAFE standard.

Standards are slipping in this country as far as roadcraft are concerned, and it has so much more to do with people's attitude than their technical ability and gobbing off about 'my right' tends to show that aggressive behaviour that is more and more common on the roads
'It is my right to be here'
'This is my lane'
'If I want to sit in the middle lane I shall'

What happened to
'Does that PERSON need a bit more room'
'Do I need to be in the over taking lane'
'What may happen if I do this?'

I am geting really fed up with having to fight a battle to get to work whilst trying to be decent and courteous to others.

Don't you think that it's the increase in regulation (in all walks of life), including the arbitrary dishing out of 'rights' that's part of the problem? Driving tests continue to get harder too, yet as you say (and I'd agree) that the driving standards are slipping.

I'm sure there are things that can be done to improve the situation, but I can tell you that the government setting out further rules and regulations and telling us not to be naughty isn't the answer.

Originally Posted by Caddy2000

And don't give me that 'middle class biker' ********! Have you ever met me?

Many appologies for any offence caused

[Bluepete]

So, just to keep the controversy fires burning, how about this verdict?

I know nothing more than is reported in the papers, the investigation was carried out by a different Police Force. She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Pete no mention of what speed she was doing ... however I have to question the validity of running 2 red lights to attend an altercation over a bus fare?!? THAT seems rather excessive to me, but then I'm no PC, so I don't know what the craic is on that score and there's also no mention of the seriousness of the bus fare altercation ... surely there was a better equipped vehicle in the vicinity that could have responded rather than to be sending a 2-tonne truck hurtling towards the incident???

Anyway, that's my 1st thoughts.