Court update - driving without due care & attention

[Dieselman]

Because motorists get a hard enough time in this country as it is; we all have our small lapses of concentration when driving, it is an accident and there is no need for anyone to be seeking vengeance.

Have you thought about a Friday night slot..

 

[glojo]

I wasn't aware that being a witness was compulsary? He could have said no, right?

I am amazed at your attitude and at a loss for words.

Yes being a witness is compulsory but we all......... every normal right minded person has a moral duty to pur society.



You are following a van.

200 yards in front of you is an elderly lady crossing the road.

The van driver deviates his course and deliberately runs this lady over and fails to stop.

You are the only witness and

You refuse to make a statement.

I commend you for your honesty, but am disgusted by your attitude.

The van driver is eventually located and states on oath that this elderly person stepped out in front of him giving him no chance to stop.

The elderly lady eventually dies of her injuries and the van driver walks because you refuse to give evidence.

I would personally put you before a court and ask you to give an account of the events and if you refused to give an honest account I would then consider what charges you would face.

John

 

[oldcro]

Because motorists get a hard enough time in this country as it is; we all have our small lapses of concentration when driving, it is an accident and there is no need for anyone to be seeking vengeance.

There's too many angrry people with an axe to grind in this country.

Motorists kill an average of 3000 people here every year thanks to what you call a small lapse of concentration. Still you do seem to know more about this particular accident than Robert who was merely an eye witness.

 

[Dieselman]

There's too many angrry people with an axe to grind in this country.

You said it..

 

[ms500]

I am amazed at your attitude and at a loss for words.

Yes being a witness is compulsory but we all......... every normal right minded person has a moral duty to pur society.

Seems like quite an old fashioned view to me; I'm more of an individualist.

You are following a van.

200 yards in front of you is an elderly lady crossing the road.

The van driver deviates his course and deliberately runs this lady over and fails to stop.

You are the only witness and

You refuse to make a statement.

I commend you for your honesty, but am disgusted by your attitude.

The van driver is eventually located and states on oath that this elderly person stepped out in front of him giving him no chance to stop.

The elderly lady eventually dies of her injuries and the van driver walks because you refuse to give evidence.

I would personally put you before a court and ask you to give an account of the events and if you refused to give an honest account I would then consider what charges you would face.

John

That's a completely different situation; not an accident but murder. In that situaion of course I would give evidence against a murderer.

 

[stevesey]

Seems like quite an old fashioned view to me; I'm more of an individualist.

That's a completely different situation; not an accident but murder. In that situaion of course I would give evidence against a murderer.

Driving a car in the manner described (by robert) could easily lead to loss of life - effectively manslaughter. Just because the driver in this case was lucky and didn't take anyone else out I don't think that should affect any decision to give evidence. As a member of society I have a responsibility as an individual to do my duty when another member of society chooses to flaunt the law in this way.

Is that old fashioned, if so can we have more of it please.

 

[Dieselman]

Seems like quite an old fashioned view to me; I'm more of an individualist.
That's a completely different situation; not an accident but murder. In that situaion of course I would give evidence against a murderer.

So, altering the situation. You are driving along with your Mate in front and two cars come racing past (I mean really racing, at least 100-110mph) and cut you up as they leave the carriageway.

The rear car doesn't see your Mate in time and crashes into him severely injuring him (life threatening) and wrecking his car.

Would you act as witness to the accident.?

Be honest.

 

[ms500]

So, altering the situation. You are driving along with your Mate in front and two cars come racing past and cut you up as they leave the carriageway.

The rear car doesn't see your Mate in time and crashes into him severely injuring him (life threatening) and wrecking his car.

Would you act as witness to the accident.?

Be honest.

Probably, but I wouldn't be 'cheerleading' for the prosecution, I would just say what I saw.

 

[Dieselman]

Probably, but I wouldn't be 'cheerleading' for the prosecution, I would just say what I saw.

So because it's your Mate you would act, but not if it wasn't...

Acting as a witness is what Robert did. The CPS then persue the case, not the witness.

 

[robert.saunders]

... 'cheerleading' for the prosecution...

I do bat for the opposition. Does that make a difference

 

[Swiss Toni]

...I would just say what I saw.

You'd be the perfect witness then.

You don't appear as a witness "for" the prosecution or "for" the defence. You appear as a witness and say what you saw. If that supports the aquittal of the defendant, then so be it.

When someones lapse of concentration takes out the side of your car one night, you'd hope your neighbours would be more sociable than you...


Like everyone else, you're an individualist.

 

[glojo]

Probably, but I wouldn't be 'cheerleading' for the prosecution, I would just say what I saw.

Hi ms500,
I think you have probably said something you did not really mean and am now being more reasonable.

In my old lady scenario, in your opinion as a witness it was murder, but at the time it was a road traffic incident and the old lady subsequently died from her injuries. That might have been a day after, or 364 days later, but at the time of the event she was merely injured.

No One, but no one should be a cheer leader for the prosecution, we should ALL want to live in a crime free land and if folks all hide behind closed curtains then we land up with the society we deserve.

One morning you go outside and find your car has been keyed.

Your next door neighbour saw who done it but refuses to tell you, or the police. Two weeks later all your tyres are slashed and once more your neighbour saw the event but refuses to tell you or the police.

What is the difference between that and your attitude?

Remember the police are SERVANTS of the Crown, they are employed to protect us and our property.

Sometimes the 'us' will be road users and other times the 'us' will be house dwellers, but the bottom line is we all have to live and let live. We are all citizens of a beautiful country which sadly appears to be going downhill regarding values and a respect for law and order.

John

 

[ms500]

You'd be the perfect witness then.

You don't appear as a witness "for" the prosecution or "for" the defence. You appear as a witness and say what you saw. If that supports the aquittal of the defendant, then so be it.

When someones lapse of concentration takes out the side of your car one night, you'd hope your neighbours would be more sociable than you...


Like everyone else, you're an individualist.

Thanks for clearing that up, I thought it was a case of taking sides and bending your statement to fit your opinions.

Maybe I've seen too many crime dramas, or not enough?

Still don't think I'd want the hassle of appearing in court though.

 

[Fandango]

I do bat for the opposition. Does that make a difference

That's off-topic again, Saunders, off-topic!!!

 

[Swiss Toni]

Sometimes the 'us' will be road users and other times the 'us' will be house dwellers, but the bottom line is we all have to live and let live. We are all citizens of a beautiful country which sadly appears to be going downhill regarding values and a respect for law and order.

I have another take (polite way of saying I disagree with John, but I am just not that brave... ).

I don't think that there has been any reduction in respect for authority as such, just more individualists and a reduction in SELF respect. It is self respect that lead individuals to recognise that you should "do the right thing" (particularly when no one is looking ( ) ).
It is self respect that drives a sense of moral responsibility and courage.

Looks for J. Rudyard Kipling quote....

 

[Swiss Toni]

I don't think that there has been any reduction in respect for authority as such, just more individualists and a reduction in SELF respect. It is self respect that lead individuals to recognise that you should "do the right thing" (particularly when no one is looking ( ) ).
It is self respect that drives a sense of moral responsibility and courage.

I just re-read my post - Can I claim the pompous-ass award for the evening (alternatively, the Radio 4 high-brow t'internet forum award? )

 

[Swiss Toni]

Maybe I've seen too many crime dramas, or not enough?

Too many I fear, real life is far more interesting and unpredicatable - spend a morning in Crown Court and see.

 

[glojo]

I just re-read my post - Can I claim the pompous-ass award for the evening (alternatively, the Radio 4 high-brow t'internet forum award? )

Only runner-up. I usually take that award.

Regards
John the pompous pilot

 

[robert.saunders]

Nothing wrong with a bit of pompous-assing

 

[Dieselman]

Or ass-pomping..