Want to kill a biker? That’ll be £400 please

[Bob]

A student whose careless driving resulted in the death of a biker was fined just £400 (approx NZD 1,150) and had nine points placed on his licence - so less than is needed for him to be banned from driving - due to a loophole in the law.

Thomas Yerbury, 21, hit Michael Brown, also 21, as he (Yerbury) made a U-turn after missing a turning.

Yerbury, had pulled into a layby on the A1198 but failed to check his mirror before starting the U-turn, Cambridge magistrates were told. Mr Brown, from Biggleswade, was on his way to his job as a civilian worker with the army when the Nissan Almera struck him.

Home Office Minister Fiona McTaggart has introduced new provisions to the Government's Road Safety Bill, which includes a maximum sentence of five years, an unlimited fine and disqualification for the new offence of causing death by careless driving. But the law has still not come into force after it was delayed by three months in October last year.

[Deviant Esq]

It's shocking really that the punishment is so light - it's almost a slap on the wrist - "You bad boy. Now, say you're sorry..." The very minimum he should have got would be Careless driving causing Death, hell, he could have been convicted of manslaughter. Unbelievable that the value of a human life could be placed at such a low value, and that the driver was not even disqualified (it requires 12 points in the UK to be disqualified). Poor biker too. :oi-grr:

[Fat Tony]

Yeah, a disgraceful punishment. He would probably have received an equal punishment if he'd just been caught speeding at around 100mph on the motorway (70mph limit). However, if he'd stolen a vehicle and was driving without insurance or a licence and was speeding under the influence of drugs he'd probably have got nothing but a slap on the wrist. Mental.

Thoughts go out to the victim's family who've lost so much and must be astonished that the driver got off so lightly.

[Nasty]

No recognition for the death in there at all really ... I am shocked and really feel for the bikers family .. what sort of outcry has it caused?

[Fat Tony]

what sort of outcry has it caused?

To be honest mate, these inappropriate punishments are something that we're having to get used to... there is a change in sentencing for road deaths due to dangerous/careless driving on its way, but as ever the policy makers have to wait and wait and wait and wait and...

The outcome of the inquest will probably make the local news, and be hidden away in the BBC site somewhere or other but I doubt it'll cause an outcry

[surfer]

If he had killed the person by some other means I suspect his sentence would have been more appropriate. Having a car is almost the same as having a license to kill.

I feel for the deceased family and friends, it is a shameful sentence and a poor reflection of the value of a life.

I once heard a driver remark that the bike he had almost run off the road didn't count because it was a small one...duh...It was still driven by a human being. I think everyone driving a car should learn first on a motorbike then maybe they'd have some respect and you never know it may improve driver awareness.

[James Deuce]

Err, that's EXACTLY what happens in NZ and there's no plans to change it.

[Guitana]

I can't see the difference in shooting someone and running them down in a car the result is the same he should've been convicted of manslaughter at least!!!!Being a learner driver is no excuse at that stage they should be more cautious with their driving and be watching the road more than lazy older drivers!!
What a fucken waste!!! One of you pommy jokers should go round to this pricks house and kneecap him!!!!
Sounds like the English legal system is as useless as New Zealands!!
That Judge needs a good anal reaming fucken wig wearing cross dresser!!!!

[Guitana]

If he had killed the person by some other means I suspect his sentence would have been more appropriate. Having a car is almost the same as having a license to kill.

I feel for the deceased family and friends, it is a shameful sentence and a poor reflection of the value of a life.

I once heard a driver remark that the bike he had almost run off the road didn't count because it was a small one...duh...It was still driven by a human being. I think everyone driving a car should learn first on a motorbike then maybe they'd have some respect and you never know it may improve driver awareness.

Fucken "A" surfer me old mate theres no excuse they seem to think that because your a motorcyclist your gonna die sooner or later so whats the big deal!! I had a nightmare on the roads on wednesday one real close call with a truck and three near misses with a 4wd and two cars and the fucken pricks all looked at me like I was the fucken problem unyet I'm the only cunt obeying the road rules each time it happened!!! The next fuck that cuts me off is gonna pay dearly even if I have to follow the prick around the north island until he runs out of gas!!!!!!!!!!
Justice will be served cold!!!!

[Drunken Monkey]

...I can't see the difference in shooting someone and running them down in a car...

Erm, how about intent?

How about every time you get on your bike we charge you with attempted suicide?

[Guitana]

Erm, how about intent?

How about every time you get on your bike we charge you with attempted suicide?

Sounds like fun you Alcoholic Simian!!! But this guy intended to make a u turn without checking! If he had looked he would'nt have turned would he????And another cyclist would'nt have needed to die for no reason!! No excuse really!!
I know you take a risk every time you get on a bike but that risk is reduced by driving safely, you can't help that other people dont give a toss about safety on the roads!!

[pritch]

A woman Doctor from this town crossed a double yellow line and killed a Harley rider going the other way.

The evidence given in Court basically made out that it was Carl’s fault and Carl, being dead, never had a good word to say for himself.

The Doctor was fined $1000, no loss of licence.
On her income that isn’t even a slap on the wrist.

[Seraph]

Not a good attatude towards bikers again....Someone died before their time and someone should have to pay the price. The courts should take the offenders car, sell it, take their car licence for a minimum of 18 months, and replace it with a bike licence. Said offenders only option would be to ride a bike if they want to get anywhere..(who likes public transport..?) thus forcing them to gain the critical awarness skills they would need to survive on a bike, if they didnt learn them, they too would most likely be struck by a car.
Poetic justice.

[Toaster]

Very sad to see such a wetpants pathetic softcock sentence being handed down.... sounds like the sort of crap they give out in NZ... the old 'slap with a wet bus ticket'.

[Guitana]

Not a good attatude towards bikers again....Someone died before their time and someone should have to pay the price. The courts should take the offenders car, sell it, take their car licence for a minimum of 18 months, and replace it with a bike licence. Said offenders only option would be to ride a bike if they want to get anywhere..(who likes public transport..?) thus forcing them to gain the critical awarness skills they would need to survive on a bike, if they didnt learn them, they too would most likely be struck by a car.
Poetic justice.

All drivers found responsible of killing another motorist should have their license taken off them and then have to resit and attend a driver safety class,after they have served their lengthy jail term and if possible make reparations to the victims family.
The only reason for not seeing another motorist/biker is laziness they just did'nt look!!!

[Roj]

Not a good attatude towards bikers again....Someone died before their time and someone should have to pay the price. The courts should take the offenders car, sell it, take their car licence for a minimum of 18 months, and replace it with a bike licence. Said offenders only option would be to ride a bike if they want to get anywhere..(who likes public transport..?) thus forcing them to gain the critical awarness skills they would need to survive on a bike, if they didnt learn them, they too would most likely be struck by a car.
Poetic justice.

I like that idea, it would make the driver VERY aware of what riding a bike means and could be a simple method of getting them off the road in a more permanent manner without having to go through all the PC crap

[Mully]

The only reason for not seeing another motorist/biker is laziness they just did'nt look!!!

Agreed. Or make it compulsory for people to learn about bikes as part of their licencing test.

[CM2005]

Agreed. Or make it compulsory for people to learn about bikes as part of their licencing test.

thats a bloody good idea!

[CM2005]

what happens if the biker dies, and his mates go round and give the offending car driver a kicking? will they get the same 400quid fine?

[avgas]

That guy got fined more than the guy that hit me- good thing i didn't die though. Wasn't worth the sentence.

[irishlad]

Only been in NZ 2yrs. Worked in england & Scotland for 8yrs. Once had a patient experience an epeletic fit during an eye exam. He was pretty blind and wouldn't wear a correction. He was a lorry driver. IN UK I'd have violated his civil rights if I reported him. At least in NZ health professionals have a duty to report such wankers. At least here you can ride a bike in some safety.

[unhingedlizard]

Police in britain cant chase a bike theif if he doesnt have a helmet on either

[idleidolidyll]

years ago in Christchurch an old woman in a cage did the same to me without the death bit.

on the bypass (open road) she had pulled over to the verge but just as i came past she did a U-turn and I tee boned her rear door, flew over the top of the car and tore my achilles tendon off completely.

I was carrying 2 dozen stubbies for the mates at the motel after the Sound of Thunder but not even 1 bottle survived, they've never forgiven me.

The old bat got away with it completely saying she had signalled (nope, she had not) even though 2 witnesses behind me said she did the turn without signalling.

go figure, i've never understood how the cops could let her off with not even a warning!

[Hans]

Whether the old batbitch signalled or not is completely and utterly irrelevant. She HAD TO WAIT UNTIL YOU PASSED. Or do I not have to give way as long as I indicate?

[Manxman]

After reading some of the sh*te that goes on in NZ - which I'm convinced is caused by:
- too much violent American TV :bash:
- mixed with ludicrously liberal attitudes to crims :love: :grouphug:, and
- a heavily UK influenced, inflammatory media :kick:

..I'm going to start my own political party.

The FFSLHSCS (...FFS Let's Have Some Common Sense...) Party will only be open to people to think that good old fashioned Common Sense is the answer to all our problems, and get NZ back on an even keel.

My policies are as follows:
1) no d*ckheads are allowed to join. This rules out all current politicians, and a (sadly) growing liberal minority within NZ;

2) judges will be given (and expected to apply) the power to direct juries to convict if there is even a remote possibility that the defendant is guilty (of rape - oops, did I say that?);

3) my 2 young kids will be put in charge of the parole board, who are far less qualified, but much more capable of making better decisions...really;

4) de-sexing will be compulsory for those deemed (by a committee of myself and two other sensible, normal, bullshit-free kiwis) to be not worthy of continuing the species (no ageism here - this applies from birth to the time that it becomes unfeasible to procreate), thus removing the "it's not my fault, I was badly brought up" excuse - not to mention a crippling financial burden on the majority to support a minority of losers;

5) bring back hanging....or some other suitable D.E.T.E.R.R.E.N.T. (note the spacing in a "sustainable" fashion, for the greenies amongst us - pffft). There is no room for rehabilitation, underfloor heating, XBox, plasma TV, or conjugal rights in my prison system, matey;

6) prisoner visitors will be searched for drugs/contraband, etc, with on-the-spot invitations to join their mates if anything is found;

7) prison guards will be given the power to beat 7 colours out of crims. Then be allowed to retreat to recreation rooms with underfloor heating, play XBox on plasma TVs, and shag their brains out; oh and finally...

8) I will be appearing on TV to utterly condemn the scandalous pay increases that we politicians receive, and then go and vote for same the next day (24 hours is a long time in politics). You will appreciate that there are some political traditions that MUST be upheld...

[Manxman]

Agreed. Or make it compulsory for people to learn about bikes as part of their licencing test.

...spot on, mate. I was thinking exactly the same thing on the way home tonight...uncanny.