Driver Improvement Course after bike accident!!

Originally Posted by LouLou

I feel like she should be punished in some way AND attend the course.

She is getting a punishment, the course costs £185.

Originally Posted by Paws

seeing that i was a young lady

And that's important because?

Originally Posted by LouLou

I feel like she should be punished in some way AND attend the course. Will there be any lasting consequence? Once the course has been completed will her life be the same as it was before the accident? Probably! I can see the point of the course but I get the impression that it's the cheaper, easier option...

I know I wasn't badly hurt and it could have been a lot worse but it's really knocked my confidence and I've been left with a permanent reminder of the accident as my collar bone is now sticking out of my shoulder

The course seems like a good idea to me. Prosecution won't change how you feel at all confidence wise and I doubt that the pound of flesh you hope to achieve as a result will give you much satisfaction if at all.
At least this way the driver knows that you have been consulted so might assume that if she takes the course, its what you wanted i.e. she isn't getting away with anything as far as you're concerned. She could go to court and be very repentant and get a punsihment less than you would hope, which will pee you off even more?

And this way you're being big about the whole thing and working towards trying to make our roads safer.

IMHO

LouLou - although I understand where you're coming from about it not seeming like they're being punished, I'd err on the side of the course, providing that the other driver was helpful/remorseful at the time, and it seemed to have been a genuine accident rather than them driving like a knob.

?185 is still a decent chunk of money, and the course might actually make them think in future.

If you're still unsure, can you find out more info about the course? Hopefully it includes stuff about taking more care around bikes, etc

I think the course is a good idea.

If this woman has a conscience, I think she is probably 'punishing' herself already, knowing she caused injury to someone.

When I was knocked off the driver was offered a driver improvement course (probably should have had to have some kind of eye sight test as well).


I still feel a bit miffed and don't have any sympathy as the driver didn't get out of their car and say sorry or check that I was OK but i feel that i'd rather they did a course . I think that pyschologically it will have more effect on the driver than a fine or points.

My confidence took quite a knock after the accident. Maybe drivers could pay for riders to have some time with advanced riding instructors to help them get back on bikes if they feel they need it in addition to funding their dirver improvement course?


mary

Originally Posted by mary

When I was knocked off the driver was offered a driver improvement course (probably should have had to have some kind of eye sight test as well).

I think an eyesight test is part of the course.

The bloke who knocked Eviltwin and me off our SV got offered a course (rather than points/fine) and he chose to give up his driving licence instead.

I can also see where you're coming from Loulou. The driver who hit me was made to do the course as well. At the time i was annoyed and felt like he got off too easily, but i've got over it now. Realistically unless they already have points on their license, what's 3 going to do anyway?

Over six months later i still can't ride my bike/play sports, but i'm afraid we're destined to get the ****ty end of the stick. I'm sure 2 days of his life and ?185 is comparable!

I know a local policeman and he didn't think much of the driver improvement courses. He inferred they are just used for people to escape points and to make money(?185 per person ffs). Whilst im sure some people might actually benefit from them, the vast majority probably don't.

For me the crux of the matter is that it seems 'acceptable' to hit a bike as they are "hard to see". A defence of SMIDSY usually gets drivers off the hook. Until that changes and people are charged with dangerous driving on a consistent basis, then nothing will change.

I'm not bitter at all.

i think she should be banned and then have to take the theory and pratical test again . she could have killed you . a bloke in my village was killed a week ago because someone reversed on a main road straight in front of him they said they didnt see him , its to late for him now.

My own personal views on driving, people should be made to sit a driving compency test every 3 years, if they fail they get all licences taken off them and have start over! This would cut accident rates. But I doubt the government would do such a project.

I would ask if they have points on their licence if they have 6 points I would say stick to your guns, they might get banned which is a good result. Bad driving really annoys me there is no excuse for it.

?200 isn't a great a deal of money, not really a pushiment is it? Though what was the person charged with, I'm guessing driving without due care attention right?