Vocal Voices

A woman was knocked down and killed in our village yesterday afternoon. She was a carer and had just been to visit a client when she was struck by a car diven by an 18 year old. She was hit so hard she was thrown into someone's front garden.
This is so upsetting, but predictable. For months now we've had young kids driving chavved-up hatchbacks at speed around the village.
I suppose this will add fuel to the fire about 20mph speed limits, but I don't think that's the answer. These kids don't observe the 30 limit now, why should they observe a new limit?
Would raising the age you can obtain your driving license work? Or harsher punishments?

I saw it on the local news website, an absolute tragedy.

It is another of those problems, like drugs, with no obvious solution.

As you say Cromwell, a 20 MPH limit will not be observed by the boy-racers, and is it absolutely necessary for the rest of the time?

I used to think that limiting novice drivers, of any age, to 1000 cc might work, but then those cars can do 70 MPH and if you are hit by anything at that speed you are a goner.

I am now being swayed to the position where any death caused whilst driving to be treated, at the very least, as manslaughter, and if dangerous driving is proved, for it to be classed as murder. Sentencing should then be based on manslaughter/murder and not under the fairly weak laws of careless or dangerous driving.

Terrible business, Cromwell, sorry to read that ...

20 mph together with traffic calming measures? I know they're a pain, but maybe it's the way forward. It's something gaining in popularity locally.

I think I'd go the WM route and look at stiffer penalties.
The trouble with 20mph limits and speed bumps Os, is that it collectiveses guilt.
I don't drive at 60 mph in a 30 zone - why should I or any other reasonably sane driver have to go over endless speed bumps or drive at 20mph everywhere?
What's wrong with penalising the drivers who transgress, rather than penalising everybody?

I realise that the push for 20 limits is near on irresistible now - but it doesn't mean that they are right, or that they will be effective.

ps - apparently the youth concerned in the accident almost ran over someone the previous day.

I'd go for much stiffer penalties too.

In France they have serious issues with drink driving and with highly dangerous driving. Do they make speed limits 30kph so that drunk drivers are less likely to kill people?

Certainly not.

Here are the maximum penalties which "may" be imposed by the judge if you are found guilty of a "major" offense. the top line is the title. hard to format, Here is the link.

It is, finally, beginning to work.

Driving Offence Imprisonment Fine Penalty Points Licence Suspension
Causing death by dangerous driving ≥ 10 years ≥ €150,000 6 5 years
Causing serious injury by careless driving ≥ 3 years ≥ €45,000 6 3 years
Driving with excess alcohol of ≥ 0.8 g/l in blood sample/Failing to co-operate with a breath test 2 years €4,500 6 3 years
Drink driving - Subsequent offence 4 years €9,000 6 3 years
Driving under influence of drugs/Failing to co-operate with preliminary test 2 years €4,500 6 3 years
Driving without a licence 1 year €15,000 - -
Driving whilst disqualified 2 years €4,500 6 3 years
Contravening a driving ban 2 years €4,500 - 3 years
Hit and run 2 years €30,000 6 5 years
Breaking speed limit by over 50 kph - Second offence 3 months €3,750 6 3 years
Failing to co-operate 3 months €3,750 6 3 years
Driving with false registration 5-7 years €3,750 - €30,000 6 3 years
Driving with no insurance certificate - €3,750 - 3 years
Perturbing or obstructing traffic 2 years €4,500 6 3 years
Display of device to modify the moped/motorbike speed limiter 2 years €30,000 - 3 years
Display of device to locate or disturb speed cameras 2 years €30,000 - 3 years

How awful Cromwell

Yes Kaz, it is bad. especially so somehow when the victim was a person who was caring for others.

Cromwell, Youngsters do not realize that they have only passed a test to drive a car. It takes a lot of experience to drive safely even at slow speeds.
Anyone caught speeding or committing any other dangerous motoring offence should have the vehicle immediately confiscated. This would mean the driver and passengers would have to find their own way home.
I have seen some serious road accidents, including a young girl who was hit on a Zebra crossing by a car which had overtaken a line of stationery traffic.
Have recently been on a Drive Safely for Longer course. It was interesting to hear the mistakes other drivers made including one lady who had her grand children as passengers.
Have now bought an in car camera which records the road in front of my car. It is interesting to watch what happens and the actions of other road users. Well worth the money.

I've been considering a head cam for the bike.

Car drivers only get to see what the idiots around them are doing. Bikers get to see what every idiot on the roads is doing.....

Ergo, headcam.....