Advocacy & Safety - more road rage

SUV driver reverses 200yards down road to attatck a 4yr old child in a bike trailer.....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2725329.stm

1) Driver should be charged with 2 counts of attempted murder.
2) Attempted murder should be sentenced the same as murder (ie: just because you failed in your attempt you should not be let off easy)

Therefore: driver should be in jail FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE!!!! :mad:

Speaking outside the court after the hearing, Baxter said he had not realised there was a child in the trailer.

This guy shows real compassion and remorse, huh? I guess he feels it would've been OK to just run over the dad. :mad:

Originally posted by KrisA
[B]1) Driver should be charged with 2 counts of attempted murder.B]

I think I have to agree with that in this case or any other road rage case I would be interested in finding out what this nuts sentebnce is going to be. Maybe they bcan get creative and after spending a few months if not longer in jail. They make hime ride bike for the rest of his life.

It saddens me because (this might be a typical attitude among Americans) I would really like to believe England is one of the few places left that is not infested with the self-centered drivers that so commonly plague US roadways. Sigh :(
Prayers and hopes for the recovery of man and daughter.

If someone did this to me and Samantha I beleive I would just kill them outright and take my chances with a self defense/temporary insanity plea.

No kidding. I am not a violent person at all, but in that case I'd really be tempted to whup that idiot upside his head a few times. What an idiot. He didn't know there was a kid in the trailer. ANd of course, if he'd just wounded the adult that would have made it okay! WHat a ******.

I'm hoping this is the result of mental defect possibly caused by the product of his profession and not growing trend among society. But then again, there have been quite a few such incidents lately.

The jury will probably comprise nonbicycling motorists. (Here in the U.S., in a vehicular manslaughter case, I and another bicyclist were dismissed from a jury panel during the voir dire process, because we might have been biased against the defendant.)

Originally posted by John E
The jury will probably comprise nonbicycling motorists. (Here in the U.S., in a vehicular manslaughter case, I and another bicyclist were dismissed from a jury panel during the voir dire process, because we might have been biased against the defendant.)

Why is it called "Vehicular Manslaugter"? That's just something I don't understand. Surely killing someone with a car is the same as using any other implement.


Originally posted by KrisA
1) Driver should be charged with 2 counts of attempted murder.
2) Attempted murder should be sentenced the same as murder (ie: just because you failed in your attempt you should not be let off easy)

Therefore: driver should be in jail FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE!!!!

Amen, brother! As far as I am concerned, the term "road rage" should not come into it at all (it's just a politically correct way for people to avoid taking responsibility for their actions). It should be tried in the same way it would if a gun or a knife had been used. Cars, when misused can be just as deadly.

There has been a lot of press over here about vehicle caused deaths. (A 19 year old with 2 life bans who had killed someone before when speeding killed again a while ago), but the way I see it is that this is attempted murder, and the vehicle was the weapon.

Dangerous driving should not cover this. It was a deliberate act to maim or kill. Who could say that driving a Range Rover at a cyclist is anything other than an attempt to kill?

As for his comment about the buggy, *******!!

You just know that the judge will be thinking "Why did the man not take his daughter about in a 4X4 like any other sane parent?"

We have got to get over this idea that driving a car is the most acceptable way of travel.

Originally posted by chewa


We have got to get over this idea that driving a car is the most acceptable way of travel.

I'd settle for judges getting over the idea that it's the only acceptable way of travel.

Originally posted by greg360
It saddens me because (this might be a typical attitude among Americans) I would really like to believe England is one of the few places left that is not infested with the self-centered drivers that so commonly plague US roadways. Sigh :(
Prayers and hopes for the recovery of man and daughter.

I wish! There's been an increasing number of 'incompetent' drivers mowing down cyclists and getting away with less penalties than you get for not paying a TV license!

In one occasion a cyclist was killed by someone using a mobile phone. His excuse... well the mobile phone was distracting me. The cyclist was in conspicuous gear and multiple lights.

Oh and the excuse for another being killed was... he had too many lights and they dazzled me! Come on!! any bloody excuse and the courts love em and let em off!

Until the legal system, here, in the US, or anywhare else for that matter realise that when you get in the car you are in control of a lethal weapon and irresponsible and malicious use of this is as serious as pulling a trigger then cyclists lives aren't going to be worth anything.

Tell that to their families!:crash:

Jerk: "I would give anything for it not to have happened. I want to apologise to the family."

Sorry, too late.

This story is so upsetting. I only hope he gets what he deserves.

Keep us informed on the outcome.

Originally posted by Greg
Jerk: "I would give anything for it not to have happened. I want to apologise to the family."

Sorry, too late.

This story is so upsetting. I only hope he gets what he deserves.

Keep us informed on the outcome.

You took the words right out of my mouth .... erh ... keyboard, Greg.

IT'S TOO LATE FOR AN APPOLOGY - JUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS! :mad:

I'll be surprised if he gets a custodial sentence. Probably get a ban and a suspended sentence.

This is the most disturbing news report I have read in a long time. For God's sake, what is wrong with people?! I can see two men settling a dispute with thier fists, but to run over a CHILD!?! Absolutly disgusting. If that had been my daughter, I think I would kill the man who did that to her. I hope they lock that sorry-A$$'ed S.O.B. up for the rest of his life.

Listen, there are people who settle disputes with guns, fists and knives, etc- in this case, the automobile was the weapon at hand. Even then, it's insane. I can understand getting mad at someone and yelling at them or even punching them in the nose! But shooting someone or running over a kid- why can't people control themselves! If you're so poorly socialized, then maybe you shouldnt drive a car!

This driver clearly qualifies as nonhuman; the world would be improved if someone went out and killed him.

At least, when I get road rage, I don't kill someone. It would be difficult, on a bicycle.

Just yesterday, for example, I was riding for fun along my normal commute route, which happened to bring me past an elementary school which was letting out. A young girl, playing with crutches as if she were crippled, stuck her crutch out in front of my path, as though she were trying to trip me. At that point, I got a case of "road rage."

But nobody got hurt, I just got angry. I could still hear all her friends laughing as I went on my way.

I hate to sound like a disturbed maniac but The driver of this car deserves death or to be crippled for life and unable to function normally. This was the instant sentence he imposed on this father and child. Luckily they lived, but what physical problems may arise from this morons actions.

I say take him out back and shoot him. Stated earlier but felt like saying it again.

This is an interesting one, I witnessed Elevator Rage yesterday. In my building we have 2 elevators. One was out of service and one was locked by the super, so niether were available to users for about 10 minutes. I saw this guy get increasingly agitated, started pacing furiously and then started swearing. I felt sorry for the guy.

I still don't understand why people get so angry behind the wheel. I don't ever. Some jerk cuts you off, what good is getting angry going to do. It will only endanger people to go and cut him off back.

Effing moron ... as a parent, I think I would have had to kill him myself or at least give him some severe physical harm if he had hurt my child purposely. The guy's an idiot and should be thrown in jail. "Oooh, I'm sorry. I only meant to run over the adult. I didn't know there was a child in the trailer".
:mad:

Originally posted by Spire
This is an interesting one, I witnessed Elevator Rage yesterday. In my building we have 2 elevators. One was out of service and one was locked by the super, so niether were available to users for about 10 minutes. I saw this guy get increasingly agitated, started pacing furiously and then started swearing. I felt sorry for the guy.

I still don't understand why people get so angry behind the wheel. I don't ever. Some jerk cuts you off, what good is getting angry going to do. It will only endanger people to go and cut him off back.

The elevator is sort of analogous to the car. Why couldn't the guy just take the stairs? It's still the same sort of mentality. Clinging irrationally to the passive motorized transport instead of using human power.

"Here in the U.S., in a vehicular manslaughter case, I and another bicyclist were dismissed from a jury panel during the voir dire process, because we might have been biased against the defendant."
This statement fascinates me. Did they also ask prospective jurors if they drove a car, and then disqualify them if they answered yes because they might be biased against the prosecution?
Just wondering.

Originally posted by SamDaBikinMan
If someone did this to me and Samantha I beleive I would just kill them outright and take my chances with a self defense/temporary insanity plea.

I have to agree with that.

http://mysite.freeserve.com/knightwhosaysni/maniac2.gif

Originally posted by SamDaBikinMan
If someone did this to me and Samantha I beleive I would just kill them outright and take my chances with a self defense/temporary insanity plea.

Use your car as the weapon. You'll get off with a fine and a warning.

RichC

As an update, the driver was sentenced to two two years terms for grievous bodily harm and 15 months for dangerous driving, all to run concurrently, and was banned from driving for two years. He must resit his driving test.

He has had previous convictions for driving offences including one for assault following a road rage attack. (These would not be made aware to the court until after found guilty)

Dangerous driving carries a maximum jail term of 2 years and the CTC want it increased.

He will be out in 12 months on parole.

The cyclist commented;

"People should start respecting each other . It is about having the courage and humility to acceppt you make mistakes and say sorry. People think it's their right to drive a car. It's not a right, it's a privilege"

Well said.

Originally posted by chewa
As an update, the driver was sentenced to two two years terms for grievous bodily harm and 15 months for dangerous driving, all to run concurrently, and was banned from driving for two years. He must resit his driving test.

He has had previous convictions for driving offences including one for assault following a road rage attack. (These would not be made aware to the court until after found guilty)

Dangerous driving carries a maximum jail term of 2 years and the CTC want it increased.

He will be out in 12 months on parole.

I tend to agree with the CTC on this (gee, what a surprise!). Particularly in view of the fact that he's a repeat offender. When are people going to start treating "road rage" like any other assault? It's not an excuse.

Can our bicyclist brother sue that SOB?

You can always sue.

Originally posted by SamDaBikinMan
I hate to sound like a disturbed maniac but The driver of this car deserves death or to be crippled for life and unable to function normally. This was the instant sentence he imposed on this father and child. Luckily they lived, but what physical problems may arise from this morons actions.

I say take him out back and shoot him. Stated earlier but felt like saying it again.

No, I don't think you're disturbed at all. I feel the same way for the precise reason you do - this was the sentence he tried to impose the minute he shifted into reverse.

Vengeance may be archaic, but his apology is meaningless and his actions unforgiveable. I say hang him high!