General Cycling Discussion - Postman killed on his Bike

This really saddened me and I felt I just had to post something

A postman was killed a couple of miles from where I live yesterday. He was on his post office bike, cycling back to the depot after making his deliveries when he was struck by a lorry yards from the gates of the depot. He suffered extensive injuries and died at the scene. This is sad enough but frustrating thing is the lorry driver didn't stop.

Fortunately the police were able to trace the driver and arrested him on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene.

What is a lorry?

A truck

That's just horrible. Sorry the guy died, but maybe the publicity of his death will help to make the public more aware of the cyclists out there. I'm glad they nabbed the @sswipe who did the hit and run. Hopefully, they'll impose the maximum sentence on him and set an example!

Koffee

wow.... truly sad.... rest in peace fellow biker... god bless.

this is why i'm scare of riding on the road..

People who 'hit and run' are f***ing lowlifes, there can be no excuse. Sorry, just had to get it off my chest.

I agree. Been hit more than once. One hit and run.

Does anyone know he outcome of a hit and run that took place either in or near Washington, D.C involving a female scientist? The driver was a teenage boy accompanied by his father ... there was some showing off as far as driving goes and they hit the women on the bike.

This happened within the last two years, I believe, and I never heard the follow up. Anyone remember this? The women who was killed was very well known in her field.

No, but I do remember the lead singer of Stereolab was killed while riding her bike. Was that a hit and run? What ever happened to the person who hit her?

Koffee

Originally posted by Koffee Brown
Hopefully, they'll impose the maximum sentence on him and set an example!

Does anyone know some more about this "maximum sentence"? I believe there's a bit of a controversy over the "maximum sentence" for injuring/kiling a cyclist in the UK right now. Last I heard, the CTC were trying to get it increased from two years to 14 years or something like that. If the "maximum sentence" of two years is applied here, it will hardly be adequate.

Originally posted by Chris L
Does anyone know some more about this "maximum sentence"? I believe there's a bit of a controversy over the "maximum sentence" for injuring/kiling a cyclist in the UK right now.

This is the published advice from the Governments Sentencing Advisory Panel is

short custodial sentence for an offence arising from a momentary error of judgment or short period of bad driving, where there are no aggravating features;

custodial sentence of 2-5 years when the standard of the offender’s driving is more highly dangerous, e.g. aggressive driving or greatly excessive speed, or when the offender has consumed alcohol or drugs;

custodial sentence over 5 years, up to the maximum of 10 years, for the most serious offences, where the offender has driven with complete disregard for the safety of other road users and where other aggravating features are present.

.....thoughts & prayers........

What is the pentaty for leaving the scene?

In Canada, I belive that if you hit an run and the person is dead on the scene, then it is punishable by murder.

:crash: That is indeed a sad story. May he rest in peace. :angel:

Originally posted by Spire
What is the pentaty for leaving the scene?



I found this on Yahoo

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/010830/226/c2jwu.html

Maximum sentence is a £5000 fine and 6 months jail sentence

It's so sad to hear about hit and run situations; cyclists and motor vehicle operators. Who knows how many lives are lost that otherwise could have been saved using on-the-scene first-aid? In all too many cases, the offenders serve little or no jail time leaving victim's families with a life sentence of grieving and despair. Condolences to the postman and his family. Gino

Hit & run seems to becoming a more common occurance lately as far as cyclist are concerned , when I had my little alterfacatoin with a car most people seemed supriced that the driver actualy bothered to stop !!:crash:

One thing I've learned since I started hanging out here is that the USA in not the Central OF All Evil In The Universe.
Despite what vociferous people inside and outside the US, bray er um, say.
It seems there are lowlifes all over the place... sigh.
Prayers and comforting thoughts for the family and friends of that postman. :(

hi all,

My deepest condolences go to the postman and his family. May god help them see a new life.

USA is one of the few countries where road rules are followed with perfection.

Hit and run are very common here in India, i heard that the penalty for hit and run/negligent driving is US$125 or six months-1 year imprisonment or both with a ban on the persons licence for a year depending upon the intensity of the crime.

Yes, India has the worst record of conviction statistics for road accidents(>75%of the perpetrators escape by paying a meagre fine).

regards
iluvbiking

My prayers for the family of the postal carrier.

Iluvbiking, I know you were just making a point and I appreciate the comparison, but I think you may have overstated (just a teensy bit) that traffic laws are followed to perfection in the States. Oh, that it were so....

Yeah, hitting and running is lower than low.

Originally posted by greywolf
Hit & run seems to becoming a more common occurance lately as far as cyclist are concerned ,

I think most people are just scared of accountability. They're worried that someone might take their # and call the cops if they hang around too long.

Sad to hear that. One of our neighbours is a postie and he rides in a posse with other posties until they reach their delivery zones and then break off. He was telling me that he has had too many close encounters with idiotic drivers. He said he was side-swiped once and he fell into the kerb, and some of the packages he was delivering fell onto the road and a couple got squashed by passing cars.

Now get this bit. He delivers the packages and apologises for the damage and explains everything as best as he can. Later that week, he's called in by his boss who had received a letter of complaint from the woman who's package was damaged, and what were the post office going to do with respect to compensation!:(