Van driver admits killing 85-year-old cyclist

UK needs modernising. There should only be one charge: Causing Death or Serious Injury by Negligent Driving. let the Courts decide the level of negligence.

Because that isn't the definition of 'dangerous driving'. The law is the law, and it needs changing.

"The offence of dangerous driving under section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is committed when the defendant’s driving falls far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver and it would be obvious that driving in that way would be dangerous – section 2A of the RTA 1988."

https://www.cps.gov.uk/crime-info/driving-offences

It's fair to say that as well as a change in the law we need a massive driver-education programme to match.

"Bridgwater, from Stourport also admitted being over the drug drive limit at the time,"

Now if driving on drugs isn't obviously dangerous to a carefu and competent driver then what is. This should be enough for automatic dangerous guilty in my book.

and on a side note, why is there a drug drive limit for illegal drugs ?

On the limits question, because there is cocaine on most of our money, to be absorbed through the skin, and everytime you walk down the street and detect that distinctive wiff you are breathing it in and some will be absorbed, that and the body does have some naturally occuring canninibinoids floating around the bloodstream.  There is a reason why there are canninibinoid receptors in the brain.

Ever eaten poppy seeds, you'd of failed a zero limit opiod test.

ktache wrote:

On the limits question, because there is cocaine on most of our money, to be absorbed through the skin, and everytime you walk down the street and detect that distinctive wiff you are breathing it in and some will be absorbed, that and the body does have some naturally occuring canninibinoids floating around the bloodstream.  There is a reason why there are canninibinoid receptors in the brain.

Ever eaten poppy seeds, you'd of failed a zero limit opiod test.

*Cough*

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8483870/worker-sacked-failed-drugs-test-bread/

Secret_squirrel wrote:

I wait in anticipation for a ludicrous sentence to be passed. 

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/cau...

Max starting point is 15 months.  He'll get credit for a guilty plea.  Max is 3 or 5 years (can't work out which - there are two figures quoted) - but that's if there are aggravating factors and no mitigating factors (including no guilty plea).

So don't hold your breath.

alexls wrote:

 ...... - but that's if there are aggravating factors and no mitigating factors (including no guilty plea).

So don't hold your breath.....  

He was over the drug drive limit, which should count as a massive aggravating factor.  Why, it could add several pounds to his fine.

mike the bike wrote:

He was over the drug drive limit, which should count as a massive aggravating factor.  Why, it could add several pounds to his fine.

Or even, in extreme cases, some serious words and a hard stare....

Driving while on drugs appears to be the only thing that got this upgraded to causing death by dangerous driving. I'm not sure it counts as a further aggravating factor.

"Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs (Section 3A Road Traffic Act (RTA) 1988)
Penalty: 1 to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both; and disqualified for a minimum of two years;"

Dave Dave wrote:

Driving while on drugs appears to be the only thing that got this upgraded to causing death by dangerous driving.

But it wasn't. He admitted to careless driving and that seems to have been accepted by the court. I'm not sure you can do that if you're charged with dangerous driving.