Cellphone blamed

[Sverre]

Community service putting up signs along the road advising people to not cell-and-drive, share the road signs, and similar signs. Making her go around to schools and such and explain to them the consequences of what she has done.
Financial restitution, covering all costs for the victims funeral and possible medical expenses (ambulances are not cheap.)
5 year ban on driving, or forcing her to ride a bicycle instead, for five years so she can see what it's like.
Therapy so she can deal with the horror in her mind and help her forgive herself.

My initial post may have been a little harsh. Personally I have an issue with cars, and I sometimes I get a little... agitated. My apologies.
Sverre

[becnal]

If you accidentally kill someone with your car, you should lose your license forever. End of discussion.

[khuon]

Perhaps in the future, the automobile will be an automatic device... where the passengers can indeed enjoy their distractions while the vehicle takes them safely to their destination.

The future is now. This "technology" already exists and has existed since even before the automobile. It's called hired transportation and includes public transportation as well as private in the form of busses, trains, taxis, etc...

If people can't do something by adhering to more stringent levels of operational standards then they should yeild those duties to those who can. Many of us (including private pilots) will use commercial air transport thus relying upon a professional to do the things we can't. Many of us will go to a doctor to treat our illnesses. The operation of motor vehicles warrants a much higher standard of training, skill and discipline than what we currently have today. The bar needs to be raised and no doubt many will simply not be "tall enough to ride this ride" but I think that's okay. They can let the professional perform the work for them on the proper level.

There's this great line in an Allstate autmobile insurance commercial which states that there's been a lot done to improve the safety of the car but little has be done to improve the safety of the driver. In the commercial, the driver rear-ends another car because he was distracted with his cup of coffee.

[genec]

There's this great line in an Allstate autmobile insurance commercial which states that there's been a lot done to improve the safety of the car but little has be done to improve the safety of the driver. In the commercial, the driver rear-ends another car because he was distracted with his cup of coffee.

Have seen that commercial, and yeah... it really points to the crux of the problem... the "idiot" behind the wheel.

[SamHouston]

A couple of questions/thoughts.

1. From the OP it is hard to determine whether the driver drifted into the shoulder, hitting the cyclist going the wrong way on the shoulder, or drifted all the way across the oncoming traffic lane.



-D

The RCMP press release would likely mention if the center line was crossed. They've mentioned it in similar press releases when it's part of the accident. That'd be a hell of a "drift" if she got out of her own lane across the eastbound lane and into the shoulder where the victim was struck.

[SamHouston]

A lifetime driving ban is not overly harsh if the driver kills or severely mutilates another person. There are places they can live where a car is not required. It may not be(seem) easy but there is no reason to subject society in general to a proven risk, which is what someone who has failed to this degree is.

If they complain there is a simple & effective rebuttal; Tell it to a corpse, we don't want to hear it.

[SamHouston]

In our society a lifetime driving ban would also be an effective deterrant, better than any to date, even if it were the only punishment for "accidents", as long as it were mandatory & unpardonable/appeal-proof.

[donnamb]

I'm not against a lifetime driving ban because it is too harsh. I'm skeptical that it could be enforced. They can't even keep drivers with suspended licenses off the road, now. With the paltry driver's education and lack of restrictions for younger drivers that we have in North America, it is a wonder that they don't kill more people.