BMW driver who blamed cyclist for crash after hitting rider, 2 pedestrians, and a bus fined £300 and disqualified for six months

This case does highlight the very real risk of a secondary accident if the driver feels threatened by the cyclist and, just as importantly, the possibility of a driver receiving a lighter sentence if their immediate post accident actions might be interpreted as a result of intimidation by the cyclist.

I have no idea what happened in this case, because I wasn't there, but if it is true that the cyclist "shouted" at the driver, allegedly causing him to "panic", any defence team worth their salt would inevitably use this as a means to lessen any sentence.

Shouting a warning, prior to an accident, is fine, but showing (albeit understandable) aggression immediately following an accident merely reduces the chance of a seriously punitive sentence.

I think they called him a BMW driver because they didn't want to call him a chinese driver. Either way, he's an idiot.

A driver threatened by a cyclist? really? really?, you must be able to do better than that.

Any major failure of driving ability should require a re-test even harder than the normal test.

**** NEWSFLASH ****
This will blow your mind.

BMW make cars.

AND

bikes?

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/bmw-to-sell-m-series-bicycle-25481/

I like it 'cos its a bike. But I hate it cos its a BMW!

I live in Seattle and drive a BMW. Here, BMW drivers have a similar reputation to their kin in the UK (though I try to avoid the stereotype and will only nerf hipsters on their way back from the café).

BMW have a really strong brand and has a distinct target audience. While the mention of the vehicle brand is a little incidental to the story of an idiot driving the wrong way and blaming the people he hit for being there in the first place, it's interesting that BMW drivers have a similar reputation on two continents, and it's worth spending a moment wondering what it is about BMW that causes that perception.

I'm one of the "bicycle people" who cycle past this persons shop every day. I'll have to put the date he returns to the road in my diary and keep an eye out for him. I think it's very disappointing that there was no requirement for re-training or re-testing.
The junction where the accident happened is a mess. Fife road is a side road which joins Clarence Street, a three lane urban "motorway". Just "upstream" of the Fife/Clarence junction is very large and well used pedestrian/bicycle people crossing. There is another pedestrian/bicycle person crossing over the front of Fife road. This is linked to the main crossing so if you want to head West on foot or Bicycle you have to wait twice. The main crossing is on a 2 minute wait and Fife road is very quiet so it is very tempting to cross Clarence street at a diagonal across the top of Fife road and avoid waiting twice. I imagine the driver was trying to pull away when he got a green light as the main crossing also got a green man and encountered a cyclist "doing a diagonal" and pulled his wheel to the right driving through the mass of pedestrians and effectively going the wrong way up Clarance street.
This junction could do with a serious re-work to reflect how people really use it. - It would make drivers, pedestrians and bicycle people's lives much easier.

Audi are the new BMW in my opinion.

@Neil753

I suspect the cyclist shouted and waved their arm to alert the driver that the cyclist was there. Ringing a bell would not surfice. How would you alert the driver of your presence?

And when a driver beeps the horn how many cyclists can say they are not spooked? But no one suggests drivers should not beep the horn. We all have alert people of our presence.

Liscences valid for 5 years then a retest.

Speaking as a cyclist and a BMW driver, can I say

a) I drive very carefully - mostly because I am a cyclist!
b) there are lots of people in lots of brands of car who are appalling. Yes we can all come up with a list in which Audi and Ford Transit drivers are bottom of the pops, but it isn't very helpful.
c) this bloke shouldn't be allowed back on the road
d) the magistrate was attrocious
e) the driver's insurance is going to be sky high. What a shame.

@Neil753

The guy was driving the wrong way down a one-way street (a street he must have been very familiar with), why make excuses for him?

And the cyclist was treated by paramedics, so presumably was not in a great state to 'threaten' someone who in any case was safely inside a car.

Also the article above says "Paramedics treated two women - one of whom the cyclist", ignoring the weird syntax it seems to imply the cyclist was a woman. Though, I have to admit that elsewhere I've read reports saying that it was a man and also another one saying it was a woman, so who knows?

If someone, breaking the law in the process, whacks you with a weapon and injures you, you may well shout. Its entirely unfair to expect cyclists behave like Gandhian saints (pardon the mixed religions) in order to get justice.

The reason why BMW drivers have a bad rep is because the marketing BMW do "Ultimate Driving Machine" is based on a research report they have used to design an "ethos" to do with driving experience and status into their vehicles. That tends to attract people seeking status via their car and perceived driving ability. (it's worth mentioning that BMWs can be sold to anybody not just really good drivers).

Anyhoo if you design and market a whole marque in order to appeal to people that want a status boost and an exciting drive then you will (among others) attract more than your fair share of aggressive drivers.

Have to say, the attitudes of many contributors to this site are far worse than most BMW drivers I come across.

There are a lot of self-righteous cocks on here.

I wonder if the headline read "KIA" driver who blamed cyclist for crash after hitting rider, 2 pedestrians, and a bus fined £300 and disqualified for six months".
Folk might react differently.
Seems the driver deserved the outcome but need some education. Unrepentant and arrogant to the end. Think a bigger fine might make them think a little more.

Going slightly off-topic, but as this driver caused serious injuries, would the National Health Service be able to reclaim from him the cost of his victim's treatment?
I have posed this question in our club magazine in the past under similar circumstances, and even though our membership includes at least two qualified solicitors, there have been no responses.
Surely publicizing the fact that MANY thousands of pounds can/could be recovered would eventually trickle down to potential injury causers? Or am I living in cloud cuckoo land?

A bmw, someone please think of tbe children!

Fuck me this is a ridiculously light sentence handed down by yet another incompetent idiot judge. One year in jail plus a 5 year driving ban would have been more appropriate and the incompetent useless CPS should have pursued a dangerous driving prosecution NOT careless driving. Shocking.

Yet more despair at our legal system which accepts crap from drivers such as Li, why? They are all in it together, corrupt like many of our elites. Care not a fig for lesser mortals.

"BMW driver" did you say? I haven't read the story or consulted the facts (obviously) but he was undoubtedly guilty and should be in prison for a *very* long time.

When exactly did the Daily Mail takeover road.cc?

The injuries caused were very serious - the driver didn't regret what he did - it would appear that he routinely drove the wrong way as a shortcut to his shop - so it wasn't a one off case of careless driving - it was a premeditated act that had potential for serious harm to others - I'm sure it wouldn't have taken too much effort to have found a couple of witnesses to his regular disregard for others safety - 6month ban - should be walking for life - arrogant beyond belief and incapable of controlling his "ultimate driving machine" when push comes to shove

I cycle every day. I also own a BMW.

Who knew that the two things weren't mutually exclusive, eh?