Advocacy & Safety - UK lorry (semi) driver cleared over death of cyclist.

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HoustonB
11-10-11, 04:21 PM
From a BBC report (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-15686419):
...
The jury heard expert evidence that the vehicle's tachograph showed Mr Shapland had been travelling at 55 mph in a 40 mph zone ...

He [the driver] said he was shocked and upset but did not believe the manner of his driving had contributed to the accident (sic).


:notamused:

genec
11-10-11, 04:26 PM
See thread "Typical Attitude."

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/778816-Typical-attitude

Same old stuff, different country. "Driver did not believe he contributed to the CRASH." :rolleyes:
dynodonn
11-10-11, 04:34 PM
:wtf: Geezus, forget the Share the Road signs, might as well erect some OPEN SEASON ones instead.

atbman
11-10-11, 05:09 PM
Even the apparent "suicide swerve" is the same - "He said Mr Poulson put out his right hand as if ??? to indicate a right turn but did not look behind him." And he was no longer on his mobile at the time, altho' he'd just been using it. I'm baffled by the verdict :mad:
Chris516
11-10-11, 05:35 PM
See thread "Typical Attitude."

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/778816-Typical-attitude

Same old stuff, different country. "Driver did not believe he contributed to the CRASH." :rolleyes:

+1000
genec
11-10-11, 05:36 PM
Even the apparent "suicide swerve" is the same - "He said Mr Poulson put out his right hand as if ??? to indicate a right turn but did not look behind him." And he was no longer on his mobile at the time, altho' he'd just been using it. I'm baffled by the verdict :mad:

See "typical attitude..." above. The cyclist is always guilty, didn't you know that?
CB HI
11-11-11, 01:49 PM
And he was no longer on his mobile at the time, altho' he'd just been using it. I read this part of the story differently. I believe the lorry driver was still on his cell phone at the time of the collision, but the driver CLAIMS he stopped talking during the overtaking/killing of the cyclist. Different than hanging up the cell phone.

Mr Shapland, from Brecon, also admitted that he had been using his hands-free mobile but said he had stopped talking to concentrate on overtaking.
HoustonB
11-11-11, 04:33 PM
I read this part of the story differently. I believe the lorry driver was still on his cell phone at the time of the collision, but the driver CLAIMS he stopped talking during the overtaking/killing of the cyclist. Different than hanging up the cell phone.

Yes, the driver's cell phone call was still in progress and records would have shown this - combine the cell phone use with speeding at 55 in a 40 zone, then it seems preposterous that the jury cleared the driver of being responsible for the cyclist's death.

This particular case looks like a gross miscarriage of justice (which ordinarily is the conviction of an innocent person).