Harsh or Just ?

Bonnyboy · 11-01-2008, 22:34

Firstly, it’s so sad that such a tragic accident occurred but this seems a bit harsh to me, considering that the man had an illness and was unaware that he was suffering from anything at all. Perhaps you think differently.

Death crash lorry driver jailed - BBC News

grego · 11-01-2008, 23:15

What time was the crash? He may have been unaware of his condition but surely you realise that you're feeling drowsy, 4 people lost their lives I dont think the sentence was harsh.

cashman · 11-01-2008, 23:34

article dont give enough info,like how long he,d been driving, how long been awake, to make a balanced descision, for once i'll sit on the fence. when multiple deaths are the outcome its hard to say too harsh though.

Bonnyboy · 11-01-2008, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by grego

What time was the crash? He may have been unaware of his condition but surely you realise that you're feeling drowsy, 4 people lost their lives I dont think the sentence was harsh.

The article just says that he was awake from around 04:30, driving by 07:00 and that the accident happened in the afternnon rush hour...maybe it was dinnertime ish or teatime ish. Seems harsh to me due to that fact that he had no intent to fall asleep and was unaware that he had a condition whereby he will become drowsy.

Having said that it is easy to be liberal with my forgiveness, it wasn't my family that was wiped out.

Seems there is many an instance where people lose their life on our roads due to the negligence of complete idiots, drink/drug abusers, un-qualified drivers and so forth. Through some technicalities or other they just get driving bans or fined ( give a driving ban to a person who is not qualified to drive...how the hell is that a punishment )

I just thought it harsh

nikkival · 11-01-2008, 23:39

I find it hard to believe that he didn't have any symptoms at all prior to the accident, (I've been reading about 'Sleep Apnoea - see link below'). Although he might have been unaware that he had the condition he must have been experiencing drowsy spells or tiredness for some time to have actually fallen asleep at the wheel. Also, in his line of work there are clear guidelines on driving hours and taking regular breaks. I think that as a family of 4 lost their lives, the charge & the sentence is justified.

Sleep apnoea Introduction - Health encyclopaedia - NHS Direct

harwood red · 11-01-2008, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkival

I find it hard to believe that he didn't have any symptoms at all prior to the accident, (I've been reading about 'Sleep Apnoea - see link below'). Although he might have been unaware that he had the condition he must have been experiencing drowsy spells or tiredness for some time to have actually fallen asleep at the wheel. Also, in his line of work there are clear guidelines on driving hours and taking regular breaks. I think that as a family of 4 lost their lives, the charge & the sentence is justified.

Sleep apnoea Introduction - Health encyclopaedia - NHS Direct

You have said exactly what I wanted to say...but oh so much better

cashman · 11-01-2008, 23:43

well its a known fact that defence lawyers, will use any tactic to get a win,agree with nikkival now i know a bit more.

grego · 11-01-2008, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

The article just says that he was awake from around 04:30, driving by 07:00 and that the accident happened in the afternnon rush hour...maybe it was dinnertime ish or teatime ish. Seems harsh to me due to that fact that he had no intent to fall asleep and was unaware that he had a condition whereby he will become drowsy.

Having said that it is easy to be liberal with my forgiveness, it wasn't my family that was wiped out.

Seems there is many an instance where people lose their life on our roads due to the negligence of complete idiots, drink/drug abusers, un-qualified drivers and so forth. Through some technicalities or other they just get driving bans or fined ( give a driving ban to a person who is not qualified to drive...how the hell is that a punishment )

I just thought it harsh

Its not that I dont believe he has the condition, but surely anyone who has been up since 4am would be feeling tired by lunch and tea time especially if driving for all that time. I agree that the family of the people killed no doubt will think its not long enough.

Bonnyboy · 11-01-2008, 23:51

Looks like some Accyweb members have managed to diagnose this chap. It's a pity the mans G.P. wasn't as well informed on "Sleep apnoea" if that is what he indeed suffers from.

harwood red · 11-01-2008, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

Looks like some Accyweb members have managed to diagnose this chap. It's a pity the mans G.P. wasn't as well informed on "Sleep apnoea" if that is what he indeed suffers from.

No it says thats what he suffers from in your original link

cashman · 11-01-2008, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

Looks like some Accyweb members have managed to diagnose this chap. It's a pity the mans G.P. wasn't as well informed on "Sleep apnoea" if that is what he indeed suffers from.

he aint related to you BB is he?

Bonnyboy · 12-01-2008, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by harwood red

No it says thats what he suffers from in your original link

Yes it does, so I will retract my smart arsed “diagnosis” comment. Fact is though, that all illnesses affect everyone differently. I just think that serving a jail term for doing something that you have no real control over is a bit unfair.

Bonnyboy · 12-01-2008, 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

he aint related to you BB is he?

Thats what I get for being a Clever Cloggs

Bonnyboy · 12-01-2008, 00:21

I'm on a hiding to nothing with this aren't I...glad I'm too thick to be a barrister

nikkival · 12-01-2008, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

I'm on a hiding to nothing with this aren't I...glad I'm too thick to be a barrister

Don't be too hard on yourself! On first read I thought it was a bit harsh but changed my mind when I read more about the sleep disorder. Who would want to be a judge these days?