Author | Lightnews

Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 15h

I agree the sentence was too lenient, albeit it would probably have been harsher if Mr Rees had died immediately, but please can we not call it murder? Murder requires intent. The worst this could have been was manslaughter - still very serious, but not the same thing.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 16h

"Non-segregated routes raise collision rates without boosting cycling". Ouch: the worst of both worlds.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 16h

Thanks Nathan. What's the purpose of having a toucan crossing there rather than a puffin crossing? Is there somewhere for bikes to get to on the other side that I've been missing or is it just the new bus stop?

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 16h

I was worried that the congestion charge was toothless and easily avoided. Turns out that all the scare-mongering by the council opposition may have unwittingly misinformed people that they can't drive within the ring road at all. Which is fine with me!

Robert Knight @rupertairbear.bsky.social · 17h

It's amazing how much of a difference the congestion charge in Oxford has made. The roads are much quieter, it's so easy driving around the city centre now and being able to keep to time. My job has become less stressful.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 1d

But the cycle lane will still have to be cambered there to allow for vehicles to exit, I think?

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 1d

I've had a couple where I've cracked my helmet, but it's been a secondary impact, which is exactly where bike helmets work really well. Knees, hips and elbows for me are the primary points of impact.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 1d

But what if they want to pick up a fountain pen on the way?

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks Clarion!

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 1d

I know this isn't the thrust of your thread, but what happens to the raised cycleway at the entrance of Lenthal Rd? Does it become the ramp to allow vehicles into that road? I'm not sure I'd like to cycle that if it's wet if so.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 1d

To be fair, she says 'most'. I expect it's everything except fountain pens.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 1d

And there's so much parking on the High St where his shop is...

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 1d

This is very good news. No more running from Westgate to the railway station when the bus takes 40 mins from Abingdon!

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 2d

The ring road is especially designed for traffic, so it's better to be there than on city centre roads that aren't so designed. Having said that, I have spent my fair share of time in between the Sainsbury's and Abingdon Rd roundabouts contemplating life choices, so I empathise.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 3d

I can't tell if these kind of things are remnants from Halloween or not...

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 5d

It's like 10,000 cars when all you need is a bike.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 7d

Horrendous. Any action/feedback on the other two times?

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 8d

sentencingcouncil.org.uk/guidelines/c... sounds like the judge put him in for the maximum he could. Another point in favour of lifetime driving bans though.

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

sentencingcouncil.org.uk

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 8d

I think using the Highway Code as a starting point is not a bad idea: it lists what is expected from a careful/competent driver. What would be required is some kind of schedule (or table like the Sentencing Council) showing how each break of HC fits into careless or dangerous. Tedious though.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 8d

I think you've just kicked the can down the road here: it would then be reliant on www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/28..., which really doesn't help at all. Also, I think your definition of careless might be too lenient, bearing in mind that it can often be dealt with by education or 3 points.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999

These Regulations consolidate with amendments the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1996 and regulations amending those Regulations (all of which are now revoked). The amendments made are ...

www.legislation.gov.uk

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 8d

Prof Sally Kyd, whose research informed this report, has commented on this here: bsky.app/profile/prof...

Sally Kyd @profkyd.bsky.social · 8d

You might be right that it's not quite ideal. I think a discussion is needed to identify appropriate tests. For a while I had thought that the current law is as good as we could get, if not perfect, but I increasingly see the test of the competent and careful driver just not working.

Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 8d

If I should fry, think only this of me

Pip Kazan @pipkazan.bsky.social · 8d

Bent double, like old beggars under snacks

Hip Priest @hippriest.bsky.social · 9d

We will fight them on the quiches

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 9d

Charging decisions are also made by precedent: i.e. how the legislation has been interpreted by previous court cases (this would matter for difference between careless & dangerous). It also depends on whether the CPS believe it's in the public interest.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 9d

I've now swung back and think that the new definitions could be very problematic then. The current definition is definitely very bad of course, but the replacement would cut out a lot of driving that would currently be regarded as careless.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 9d

For example, one can imagine a driver overtaking a child on a bike with 20 cm room. Child reacts by swerving left, hits kerb and comes off bike at 20 mph colliding with lamp-post and breaks neck. Rule 163 has been broken, but it's a 'should' not a 'must'.

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Commuter cyclist @smallfoggyhouse.bsky.social · 9d

This is really good and hope the government take notice/action! I'm not totally convinced by the definition of negligent driving yet: mainly b/c there are so few 'must/must not' rules in the HC.

Sally Kyd @profkyd.bsky.social · 15d

I spent the summer engrossed in media reports on sentencing for causing death offences. Yesterday I was given the opportunity to present my findings at the Houses of Parliament.

I hope that my report is helpful to those interested in the law relating to road death:

appgcw.org/resources/in...

Behind the Headlines - Sentencing After Fatal Crashes - All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking

appgcw.org

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