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.

[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!!!