Driver who broke OAP’s neck is jailed for a year
Friday 17th December 2010, 2:30PM GMT.
The aftermath of Martins Rancans’ high-speed round the island drive – two wrecked cars and one wrecked life. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 1028864)
MOMENTS after Pearl Brehaut left bingo on 15 September she lay, neck broken, in the wreckage of her car.
For as Mrs Brehaut, 74, was saying goodbye to her friends at the North British Legion, Martins Rancans was racing north around the coast at 70mph-plus.
And as he took a sharp left-hander at around 50mph – on the wrong side of the road – Rancans’ Saab 9-3 Aero piled into her Toyota Starlet.
Judge Philip Robey jailed Rancans for a year for dangerous driving and questioned whether the case should have gone to the Royal Court with its greater sentencing powers. Rancans, who pleaded guilty, was also banned for seven years.
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Its not that the police were’nt aware that Kevs were using that stretch of road for dangerous driving.
Only a few days previously a group of 5 or 6 vehicles virtually drove me off the road near the Peninsular..and I reported it.
Seems odd, the driving test is more strict than ever, but it still doesn’t seem to weed out the maniacs..
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Not long enough
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Kris – the driving test deals with technical driving ability. Unless in-depth psychometric analysis is added (which won’t work 100% of the time either) there is no way it can gauge whether someone who passes is going to drive like a lunatic.
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Why only one year? A case as serious as this should have been automatically referred to the Royal Court. Ten years would be more appropiate.
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Perhaps the Press should ask the Law Officers the question posed by Judge Robey “whether the case should have gone to the Royal Court with its greater sentencing powers”
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I seem to remember that right after the accident a number of posters jumped to the defense of this reckless criminal who nearly killed Mrs. Brehaut. Comments such us ‘why does everybody blame youngsters when old plodders cause accidents’, ‘why jump to conclusions just because a kev type car was involved’ etc. etc. Seems that us reactionary old gits were right all along, as usual. But I don’t expect those who commented will admit they were wrong, even though some of their comments were quite offensive. Sadly, no lessons will be learned from this.
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Yet another case that goes to show that speeding is a far greater problem on this island than drink driving. Instead of directing their resources at those drivers who drink a little too much (and generally keep to within the speed limits) the police should concentrate instead on all those sober kevs, fired up on testosterone, who charge around this island at insane, criminal speeds. They are far more of a danger to you and me.
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Beanjar – I’ve just had a look through the postings on the original article.
The vast majority of the postings I read were not jumping to his defence at all. Most were simply saying it was wrong to jump to conclusions until the facts were known – which at the time they weren’t. I don’t see anything wrong with that at all. Incidentally, neither did you if your post of September 17, 2010 at 10:45 am is anything to go by.
The rest of the posts were just the normal tittle-tattle you get whenever old vs young drivers gets brought up in conversation.
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Time to clamp down on the kevs and their very poor driving skills.
One year is a joke, more like five would be more like it, a scandal.
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I’d love to meet some of you lot, perfect examples of how a human being should be, none of you know this guy, none of you know how he felt about all of this, ive never seen such a broken man before in my life, hes a good guy that would help any one without even thinking of judging them, mistakes get made, sometimes in a big way and thats unfortunate but to jump on someone and start calling them a lunatic is uncalled for
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It’s funny cause as usuall the press has made it out to be so much worse than it is and the 2 passengers that were supposedly screaming and scared for there lives were supposed to be his best mates they got in that car by choice. been jar I’d love to meet u we all need to be jus like u cause u r so perfect!!! Bet no one read about how sorry Martin is and wat he has offered to the lady ok it doesn’t make up for it but at least he has showed some sorry!!!!
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Number 39
I dont get where you are coming from.
Of course he’s broken, he’s known for some time its likely he’s going to prison, I dont think you should mistake the sense of impending doom that he must have had, for any remorse over the damage his actions have caused others.
You say he made a mistake, was he speeding and driving on the other side of the road by accident then?? I’d say what he did was more than a mistake, driving that way was clearly a piece of driving that he was doing on purpose and I’d wager he’d still be “making mistakes” if he hadnt broken some innocent persons neck. We should actually be thankful that he didnt kill anyone.
And for your last “point” If driving on the wrong side of the road at 70 mph isnt a lunatic, then would you like to explain what is??
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Number39 – to set the record straight, the context in which I used the offending word “lunatic” was responding to a point made by Kris about driving tests. The phrase “drive like a lunatic” was used as a figure of speech to describe a particular manner of driving. I was merely pointing out to Kris that driving tests cannot determine the future behaviour of a driver. You will also kindly note that at no time did I directly call anyone a lunatic, I didn’t actually directly refer to Mr Rancans at all.
Now that’s hopefully cleared up – in response to your post: I’m sure Mr Rancans does deeply regret his actions and did not intend to cause such damage and injury. It was extremely unfortunate to say the least that he ran into Mrs Brehaut and I’m sure many of us look back on our younger days and think there but for the grace of God go I – that could have been me sitting in a cell.
Nevertheless, no matter how much of a good guy he is it cannot be argued that driving at over 70mph on local roads is at best extremely reckless, not to mention highly dangerous to both himself, his passengers and other people.
Unlike some of my fellow posters though I actually consider a one year jail term with 7 year driving ban a significant punishment – not to mention all the associated psychological and emotional consequences that you have already mentioned. It’s certainly not the “got away with it” sentence some of my fellow posters consider it to be.
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Number39 – i hope you are not expecting anyone to show sympathy for this guy?? After causing the lady so much pain, i am afraid he deserves what he gets. Perhaps what he is going through will make other “lunatics” think twice before speeding around the island with no consideration for anyonelse.
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Number39
He has been judged on what he has done ie broke this ladies neck and in anyones book driving in that manner to cause such an injury is insane.
What the hell did he think would happen if a car was comeing the other way oh one did and this was the result.
Bet you wouldn`t be so understanding if it was a member of your family or your own neck that was broken?.
Maybe your a friend or a family member?.
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This reckless moron should be banned from driving for LIFE!!!!
If you want to exceed 35mph, then pop your car on the ferry to France, drive through to Germany and write yourself off on an empty Autobahn.
Arrrrgggghhhhhh!!! …..
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One thing that has always bothered me about driving offences like this is that the sentence is determined by the consequences, which is utter nonsense. If somebody is convicted of dangerous or reckless driving, why should the sentence be greater because it resulted in death than it would be if the victim was left a vegetable for the rest of their lives? The reckless act was identical – only the consequences were different. Likewise, somebody is caught speeding at 80mph but their sentence is less than somebody driving at 80mph who seriously injures or kills somebody. Why? They still drove at 80mph and that’s what was reckless, regardless of whether or not an accident occurred.
We all know that the speed limit over here is 35mph. On some roads it is easy to suddenly find yourself actively doing 40mph to 45mph without fully realising it. But if you are doing 50mph plus then you undoubtedly know it, and if you do 60mph, 70mph or 80mph then you’ve made a conscious decision to be deliberately reckless and you should be very severely sentenced, irrespective of whether an accident was caused.
5-year, 10-year and life bans, with suspended prison sentences, should be automatic for serious and deliberate speedsters above 60mph. Above 70 mph and it should be an automatic prison sentence in addition to the ban. One life saved would make it worthwhile.
Anybody determined to drive at high speeds can go and live somewhere else where they can legally do so. Guernsey has a 35mph speed limit for a reason.
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Number39, you wouldn’t think it was uncalled for if it was your Nan he nearly killed.
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Speed cameras at the known speeding areas would solve the problem in one fell swoop.
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agreed some of the comments are a bit harsh.
However I do feel that now is the time to change the law to include a life driving ban as the ultimate sanction for serious offences.
maybe that might be more of a deterrent than three square meals a day in The Guernsey Holiday Apartment..
shame the Govt can’t confiscate all their high tech stuff while they are at it.
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blc – 10 years is what you’d expect for a serious case of pre-meditated GBH.
Yes he was driving recklessly and dangerously (hence the 7 year driving ban) but there was no intent to cause injury. The punishment should fit the crime and in my opinion broadly speaking it does.
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Number 39, I’d love you to meet Pearl Brehaut, I can assure you she was far more broken than Martin Rancans. 70mph IS lunacy on this island. Trouble is, the kevs have now diverted and simply tear up and down the Vaurioufs all night long.
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Number39, do you know the victim? thought not, always the same story, victim overlooked, surprised humamn rights not being touted, tut tut. responsibilty is the key here. or lack of.
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Once more we see selfish, arrogant, ignorant behaviour behind the wheel of a car, there can and should be no defence for this nonsense, though we will see some trying to justify it, look at the victim, as ever its them that suffers the most, one year in jail? not enough, bet the innocent victim has to put up with more than a years anguish. No responsibilty shown, then when it goes wrong it poor me, pathetic, should have went to the royal court and a deterent sentence handed out. Anyone defending this crime(yes its a crime) has no clue. Think of the victim? before your retort, huh.
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Interestingly I did know the man from work once, helpful, friendly and caring to everyone, a fundamentally very good bloke. But unfortunately his wider level of social responsibility and attitude like so many of his peers is immature, irresponsible. Perhaps this will encourage all to think more about their wider responsibilities.
His ‘supportive’ friends to think of the life changing and destructive consequences which can result from their actions.
The police to think about making a massive effort to answers calls such as those made by Kris to increase their presence in reported areas. I could happily draw the route they need to patrol as could any of 10,000 or more local residents, many of whom have been on similar routes themselves in their past, just not all with such abandon.
And us, the people to think about our responsibilty to do exactly as Kris did and report these occurrences whenever and wherever we see them. Just think if you didn’t make that call and the next day saw that same car on the front page of the paper with a headline as devastating as the one above. Only we can take responsibility for making our society safer. I couldn’t live with knowing I could have prevented it, could you?
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I’m sorry no.39 but driving like a ‘lunatic’ at speeds of around 70 miles an hour, being totally out of control and basically treating public roads like a racetrack with no regard for anyone else is not a ‘mistake’ – it is dangerous and criminal and he deserves his punishment – unfortunately it will never be anywhere near the life sentence that he has selfishly handed to Mrs Brehaut.
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Number39 – Some of “lot” have children and quite frankly this sort of driving is only time away from killing someone, something I really worry about. He may well be broken, and that is unfortunate but will any of the racers learn from this? This guy may well be remorseful and has shown this however he will be remembered for his actions not his after thoughts
If you do want to meet someone I would suggest you talk to the victim I sure she will provide an interesting perspective on the effects of this “one mistake”
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In the above article it doesn’t state whether Mrs Brehaut was killed, paralyzed, or what. Perhaps someone who gets the full article would be so kind as to let me know. Thank you.
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I’ve posted on here before about this. Despite numerous complaints to the Police about these ‘Kevs’ in the North Beach both before and since this dreadful incident (it’s not an accident as it was avoidable, and judging by the report in the Press I would almost call it inevitable)and despite deaths and severe life threatening injuries to ordinary islanders going about their lawful business still nothing is done about it. These ‘Kevs’ have learnt nothing and still continue to endanger lives on a daily basis. You would have thought that after the article in yesterdays Press they might, just might for one evening curtail their behaviour, but no, they still carried on down in the North Beach.
The sentence handed out is a joke, this person nearly killed somebody and that poor lady will be severely affected for the rest of her life.
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number39
You do make a good point in that he might well regret what he’s done and be broken, that’s exactly what he should feel but I’m sorry – doing what he did can only be described as lunacy.
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I’m never convinced by ‘remorse’ shown by criminals in court, its too late and not worth a damn. What if he hadn’t hit anybody that night? He would have kept driving the same way until he did something similar to somebody else. To you, or me, our parents or our children. He’s a menace and only sorry because he’s been caught. Even when collisions like this don’t kill immediately the trauma, stress and long term injuries can effect victims for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, this young idiot might have a long life ahead of him if he mends his ways.
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Been there, done it 70mph+ in my youth.
But always where safe to do, you all know the roads!
Then it dawned on me to lose DL was not worth the risk!
So I slowed down back to legal limits.
Accidents will happen whatever the speed due to a moments’ inattention by either party
Speeding (or even within limit) on the wrong side round a bend is not brave, just stupid!
Never mind the prison sentence, his DL should be banned for life!
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Sounds like an opportune time for the Police to make a request for upstanding citizens to volunteer and be trained up as Special Constables in the use of the speed gun
If they are too short staffed to take it out of its box every evening then I’m sure a dozen or so willing hands would be quite welcome
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our justice system is such an ass. One judge will rap offenders on the knuckles because of a hard sob story by their defence advocate, yet another judge will apply a more appropriate sentence that fits the crime. where did some of these judges get their qualifications from?
how can offenders such as the disgraceful act, and lifelone pain that this driver inflicted.
yet crime and punishment is just so comfortable these days, that what lesson will he learn from this really?
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I think a year in prison for this crime is ridiculous, it should be far less. What about all those drug smugglers we saw on Martin Clunes’ programme?
Accidents happen all the time, he didn’t kill the old woman, for all we know she could’ve been driving on the wrong side of the road, I always see OAP’s driving on the wrong side with their indicators flashing.
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This young man should be made to drive around for the rest of his life in an invalid carriage, note made to, carrying a large notice saying: ‘I am driving this because I drove too fast and broke an innocent old lady’s neck’. Then he really might know the position she is in and feel genuinely sorry for her rather than the shallow promises made in court in a bid to lessen his sentence. And, Law Officers, why didn’t this case go to the Royal Court? Statement, please
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Hi.
A couple of points……
1. Trying to drive around an almost 90 bend at 50 + is ‘lunacy’!
2. People have refered to Mrs Brehaut as having caused pain etc.
I would like to point out that she is still and is likely to remain in constant pain for remainder of her life. From being a very fit and able bodied person to this……well you do the math!
3. The lad who did this is remorseful!! So he bloody should be!
4. I hope he does the full year in prison and wouldnt it make sense for the driving ban to start on his release? Otherwise he’s only got a 6 year ban (which in my humble opinion isnt long enough 10 years at least and re-take test!)
5. She’s family!
GD.
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I can think of nothing more pleasurable than sitting with a speed gun and seeing the faces on kevs as they scream towards me knowing they are screwed. I’d be first on the list for speed gun volunteer duty. Where do I sign up?
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Beanjar
Your view is very similar to mine. Why should the consequences of the reckless speeding in terms of sentence or penalty? The act causing the offence was identical. Causing death by reckless driving, causing permanent maiming by reckless driving, or just plain reckless driving (no third party sufferers) have one constant factor – the reckless driving act.
Reckless drivers – throw the book at them, first time offence or not, and rid Guernsey of this disease.
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Mr G
I’m dissapointed in you.
As somewone who likes to dabble in a little bit of trolling from time to time, I feel well placed to judge your latest effort as far too obvious, and a pretty poor effort in general!
Please try harder next time.
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Mr G, if the victim was a close relative of yours then yor post would be very different.
As for your wrong side of the road comment, if she were in the wrong would the driver be getting a year in jail?? as ever Mr G please engage brain before typing.
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It is a fact of life that most young men will speed at some stage.
I suspect most of the men on here who criticise this young man are hypocrits, as nearly all of us have done it.
I don’t excuse his behaviour and he deserved some form of punishment, but a year in prison seems disproportionate compared to other crimes, particularly those of EU countries for similar offences.
I will say that ultimately those who go over the speed limit risk this regardless of the circumstances as speed magnifies errors. God forbid there would have been someone crossing the road, or a cyclist on the white line then he would have gone down for manslaughter.
People take calculated risk everyday, sometimes they get away with it, sometimes they don’t.
I don’t think the sentence was proportionate for the offence, particularly when you consider serious drug traffickers are often out after 2 years, and white collar criminals often get suspended sentences. Having said that at some stage a message needs to go out to the Kevs that they don’t own the road, and I guess he was just the excuse the Law was looking for.
I hope the victim makes a full recovery from what must have been a traumatic incident for her.
No mention was made of the emergency services role in this – i would have been interested to hear what evidence was given, i.e. estimation of speed, damage to vehicles, types of injuries etc. Also priase should go out to Ambulance, fire and police for ensuring the victim was well tended to.
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I wish it could be looked at from a different point of view. I will probably get shot down in flames for this, and the namby pambys will whine and moan.
Its natural for people to want to put their foot down and test the limits a bit. Now on no accounts should this be allowed on the road. I would prefer the powers that be were far stricter on dangerous driving as long as somewhere was designated for people to go and do this without it costing a fortune. Thiers no point shouting “go and do a track day” as we don’t have any tracks over here. We get ripped off by local airlines and condor. It ends up costing a fortune. A couple of sprints a year don’t really make a difference. The few local motorsport events we have get whinging from pathetic nearby residents.
It would be better to embrace youthful exuberance and channel it into the right place and at the same time make it clear that it won’t be tolerated on the road with severe prison sentences as punishment. At the moment the island breeds frustration on the roads.
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I would like to point out in this particular case the courts have been pathetically lenient. If this poor lady was a member of my family I would be counting down the days until this person gets out of prison – and then I would be out for blood.
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Mr G.
Is it at all possible that you have had some sort of serious head damage of some kind?
Your comments can very often be pathetic but the latest one on this page is absolutely ridiculess.
I never usually wish anybody any harm but if you where to be seriously injured or hurt in a similar incident it would not bother me at all.
Please get yourself some help as you definitely need some.
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FF – was reading the story too difficult for you? The court passed the maximum the States had provided for. Why blame the court when that is not the situation? Get your facts right before opening gob, please.
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Pillsbury.
I can read perfectly well thank you. The courts would have known about this case for a long time. They would have known what maximum sentence they can pass. It could quite easily have been referred to the Royal court while all this was at planning stages. All that is irrelevent. The fact is someones neck was broken because another driver took a corner on the wrong side of the road. Forget about speed. Speed and dangerous driving are not the same thing. You can have one without the other. The courts sentence was far to lenient. End of story.
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It depends – as the story said – what the court was asked to do when deciding where it should go for disposal.
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@Number 39
I think lunatic is being too polite actually and I could think of more appropriate names to call this guy. So he should feel broken and I hope he does for the rest of his life. This poor womans family and friends are going to feel like this for the rest of THEIR lives.
10 years should have ben the minimum for this crime !!
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I actually want to know why the guy was not deported?? he is not local and is under licence so why was he also not told that once he served his sentence that he should leave the island??
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If that is a fact Ali M, I am with you!
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I agree, if he’s not local he should definitely go. Why on earth do we need to import kevs, we already have more than our fair share.
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I agree with much of what has been said. It is not speed that is the issue – it is the inappropriate use of it. In my youth those of us keen on driving took pride in our skills – for the rest there was the Ford Popular!
What concerns me is how to use crashes of this sort to teach other young drivers. Could all those that the Police have concerns about, but choose only to warn be required to attend “clinics” where they meet victims of crashes, quite a number of whom are self inflicted. Perhaps the fear of long term damage would be more persuasive than the risk of a fine or driving ban.
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Apparently under current legislation that this would be an abuse of his human rights. We should be able to decide if criminals are able to stay on the island or not. Note the same kind of effort in UK where Kurdish Iraqi hit and run killing a small girl.
Do we have to wait for this to happen before we clamp down on the the load of total idiots (and not just young Kevs/Kevettes) who drive on this island.
Bad driving is bad driving. The kind of dangerous driving our young friend exhibited should be snuffed out completely…total life ban. 2 years in prison. Give out a few of those sentences, you will see the crazy kids and so called adults calming their driving down.
As for drink drivers I love the way people try to justify the “odd” tipple and quick drive home…there is NO excuse and never will be for driving drunk or under the influence (that includes the morning after by the way)
here is my solution to the problem:
Drink driving should carry a minimum compulsary level 2 uniform fine…increase at Judges discretion.Bans starting at minimum 6 months, onwards. Anyone found driving whilst under ban should have immediate 1 year in prison. No ifs no buts and no appeals.
Hand out another few of them and watch the figures drop.
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I think to make fair judgement, you’d have to know both persons involved directly. I’m not saying what Martin did wasn’t wrong, or reckless but there was no intention of injuring anyone as some of you seem to make out, along with the press in some respects. Undoubtedly pearls life has seen a dramatic downturn, but having read the second article on the second page of the issue, I’d say that Martin has learnt his lesson. And would have accepted yet more responsibility for it all if it were possible. Unfortunately this should never have happened, of course, but I do find it hypocritical of these self righteous people to accuse the accused of recklessness when everyone has done it at some point in their lifetime. It’s just Martin is one person who caused an accident by doing so.
Addressing the whole ‘getting rid of kevs’ topic, I’d say it is nigh on impossible. There are always more youngsters coming onto the roads – and for some, it is a new independence, and a new feeling of control, which therefor is abused. Some learn their lessons, some are reckless but never cause accidents and are never caught. In my opinion, there will always be people who abuse this freedom. And it will never fully be quelled.
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Actually DSG, I suspect in common with many others, I can honestly say I have never willingly driven in such a way as to endanger the lives of other people. I don’t consider myself to be self righteous; I just take responsibility for my own actions.
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DSG – your first paragraph is good. I think it’s fair to say that some offences inflame the public emotions more than others.
A young man whose driving has seriously injured an OAP is one of those cases. To illustrate the point, I would suggest the sentiment would have been even stronger if the injured party had been a young child.
Of course people are entitled to vent their feelings on a public forum. When it comes to the court making its judgement though, there has to be some degree of objectivity when passing sentence.
It’s time like this I think thank goodness for our justice system. It’s not perfect by any means (I don’t know one that is) but I would argue that Guernsey court justice is still fairer than mob justice.
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DSG
He may not have intended to harm anybody but going round a corner at that speed on the wrong side of the road another car comeing from the other direction, what are the odds of hitting it, as he did?
So what was he thinking. If theres no car comeing then fine, but if there is i might end up killing someone because i wont be able to avoid it? he would have known the risk he was taking and the likely outcome.
Yes we may have all takin risks at times but what he did was right up there in the insane catorgary.
What lesson has he learnt?
that you cant go round corners at that speed and cross your fingers nothing is comeing the other way? is he that thick he had to do this to find out?.
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No, not everyone has done the same at some point. I can hand on heart say that I do not speed, don’t even think I’ve reached 37mph in error in my driving lifetime. I HATE speeding and therefore do not do it.
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I’m sure Martin crossed his fingers and hoped that no cars were coming around the next bend. Or not. My guess is that he made a judgemental error, and naturally, a higher speed would multiply the effects of it. As much as speeding is illegal, and you can claim that his judgemental error was speeding in the first place, if you choose to speed you must still judge what you are doing, and, as I said, the errors can be indecisively worse. So bcb, I am not willing to believe he went round this corner ‘hoping for the best’. And I still stand by my opinion that everyone has knowingly sped at least once. If you can’t admit to that, you are self righteous.
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The kevs still have there round the island spins where they reach stupid speeds i think the police are not doing enough and i rarely see speed cameras in operation
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Janet, living on the fast lane there then.
I think I speed every single day, whilst taking my two children to school I sometimes hit 37mph. It’s so dangerous, I know.
STAN, there are loads of police with speed guns around, they’re just hidden. They can catch speedsters from miles away. Infact, I imagine you’re more likely to see a police officer with a speed gun than in town on a Saturday night ;)
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DSG
I could admit to a lot of things but i can tell you i would never have gone round a corner at that speed on the wrong side of the road for one simple reason, I might very easily kill someone and i would know this before even attempting that stupid stunt. So i stand by my opinion that anyone with half a brain would fully know the danger beforehand if a car was comeing the other way.
Driving the way he did it wasen`t a case of if but when.
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There’s no excuse for intentionally or “accidentally” exceeding the speed limit. Don’t new cars come with a SPEEDOMETER fitted as standard anymore??
Compulsory speed limiters anyone?
Lowering the national maximum to 25 mph islandwide?
Lead balloon??
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Having worked within the health service and seen the horrific results of high speed road traffic accidents, i can honestly say i do not speed. i have respect for my safety and that of other road users. Perhaps one positive to come out of this is that it sounds like martin is unlikely to be speeding recklessly around Guernsey again in his lifetime – a lesson learnt, and perhaps he will have the courage to educate others speedsters.
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i think it is wrong the courts seems to be gettin it all wrong alot look at the callum Eborall case too they should have 7 years inside an 10 years off the roads, a year aint good enough nor is two years
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I think David is right in terms of punisment should be for the crime not the outcome.
It wasnt all that long ago i enjoyed modified cars and showing them off and i remember this guy as being of particular annoyance even to the people most of you refer to as “kevs”.
I aggree with F F in terms of maybe we should give these people somewhere to race there cars at a reasonable cost, maybe the airport runway after its closed, whatever the solution is you wont please everyone but surely as long as people are safer anything else is not important.
Im pretty sure most people on hear have done silly things that they look back on now and wonder why they bothered or how lucky they were to get away with it but there is a line between silly 50/60mph on the correct side of an empty road (although stil dangerous) and the lunacy that is 70mph on the wrong side of a blind corner. The sentance was pretty fare i think as although Mrs Brehaut will continue unfairly suffering i do believe now this guy has been caught he will suffer for a very long time (rightly so) chances are in 7 years he will struggle with insurance to even be allowed back on the roads and every day he tries will be a reminder of what he has done.
Lastly i would like to add that i have met both parties in this case so my point is completely un bias.
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Bloggs:
Not very well thought out i’m afraid. How many more lives would be put in jeopardy by a shard of metal from a crashed yobs car bursting an aircraft tyre on takeoff/landing?
Think on …..
And you’re missing the point on speed. 35mph is the MAXIMUM speed limit, surely only to be reached on a clear, dry day on a straight stretch of road, and NOT around, say, the tight blind bends of St Martins in the rain at 8pm!
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DSG – you miss the point.
Whether or not his intention was to injury another person is academic, he knows that speeding is illegal, and further he knows that crossing a white line, or centre line at speed should only be done if the road ahead is clear.
So he knew and therefore don’t defend his actions.
I have said earlier that most men do it, and most get away with it, but it does not make it acceptable.
I have seen a lot of ‘boy racers’ who have no idea how to drive properly. A lot of people can drive quickly and safely, whereas many people can drive quickly and recklessly.
As I said before, speed magnifies any errors, so if you are hopeless within the speed limit then you are heading for an accident beyond it….
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