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Archive for July, 2013

Lorry Driver Accused Of Causing Death Due To Careless Driving

A lorry driver denied causing death by careless driving when he accidentally ran over a drunk Polish bank clerk.

The 50 year old lorry driver, Peter Wallace, failed to see Rafal Kuzniar, as he stumbled across Victoria Embankment in central London on April 12th, last year.

Even though Mr Wallace’s passenger at the time, Grant Pike, tried to raise the alarm after spotting Mr Kuzniar, the collision happened quickly and the former bank clerk was thrown meters forward and he couldn’t be saved.

During court, prosecutors insisted Mr Wallace was not paying sufficient attention to his surroundings or what was going on ahead of him.

A jury of eight men and four women deliberated non-stop for a matter of three hours and fifteen minutes before finding the defendant not guilty of causing death by careless driving.

As the defendant was driving a 7.5 tonne flatbed scaffolder’s truck, it could of well been seen as unfair as Mr Wallace’s chances of stopping the heavy vehicle were very low, so it wouldn’t of mattered greatly if he did try to brake or not.

The death of Mr Kuzniar was described by Judge Nicholas Lorraine-Smith as ”very sad” as people knew very little about him.

We have a team of dedicated staff able to advise you if you are facing an allegation of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving. Call us on  01623 397200.

Government Introducing Fixed Penalties For Careless Driving

The new Government proposal to introduce a fixed penalty of £100 for careless driving is believed to improve driving behaviour.

 

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents believe that it will not only teach drivers a lesson, but it will remind them that their negligent driving behaviour puts people’s lives at risk.

 

The new plans are designed to save police time too, by making it easier to enforce stricter careless driving laws and discourage negative driving behaviour on the road.

 

However, it is important that a fine line is seen between serious careless driving offences and minor, less serious cases, so the fine can be imposed accordingly.

 

3 points are also to be issued to drivers on their driver’s license who are accused of careless driving in the future.

 

But offenders are likely to face higher penalties in court depending on how serious the offence is.

 

In addition to all of this, existing fixed fines for common motoring offences such as using a mobile device whilst driving and not wearing a seatbelt will gradually rise, to as high as £100.

 

If you have been given a fixed penalty for careless driving but want to challenge it call us on 01623 397200 and we can advise you how to challenge it in court.

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