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news
Justice (Lonpicman, Wikimedia Commons)Late for work van driver who killed cyclist already had 11 points on his licence for speeding
A Norfolk van driver has been jailed for six years after he killed a cyclist while speeding through an accident blackspot. The BBC reports that Sam McDonald already had 11 points on his licence for speeding when he hit Darren Orpwood while rushing to work in October 2016.
Orpwood was riding along the "Bawsey Bumps," a series of three dips on the B1145 near King's Lynn, at about 6.30am when he was hit by McDonald, who was driving a Ford Transit.
Prosecutor Karl Volz said Orpwood was flung 30m into a tree and that it took more than an hour to find his body in undergrowth.
McDonald said he at first did not realise he had hit the cyclist and that it was only when his van got a puncture three quarters of a mile later that he returned to the scene and called emergency services.
He was said to have been driving "in excess of 60mph" on the 50mph road in dark and damp conditions, reaching speeds of up to 82mph.
The court heard he had been late for work and three drivers on the same road described their shock when McDonald's van overtook them in one go.
McDonald said his driving had been "usual" and that 80mph was acceptable, even in darkness, if the road was straight.
He admitted causing death by careless driving, but the plea was not accepted by prosecutors and the jury found him guilty of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
As well as the prison sentence, McDonald was banned from driving for five years.
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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38 comments
My observation is that the media only highlights attire/lights when it is absent to demonstrate the irresponsibility of the cyclist and to suggest that tucking is a dangerous mode of transport. To do otherwise places the motorist in the blame
It makes me wonder about the previous 11 points and how many prosecutions that was for and the punishment in each case.
The justice system is complicit in this tragedy - three points is standard for speeding so it is likely the cretin has been caught four times and then been able to argue that he needs to drive for his livelihood. Accordingly he was able to keep his licence and then go on to kill someone by behaving in exactly the same way. I'm not surprised but beyond disgusted.
Exactly, 'normal' punishment includes 3 points. So that's 3, 6, 9 or the dreaded 12. Somewhere along the (offending) line he's either committed a non-standard offence 'worth' say 5 points (no insurance?, or is that a 6 pointer?) or magistrates have shown some discretion and issued an unusual amount
Also, the police seemed pretty confident about the speeds, even tho' the van didn't initially stop at the scene. Was it works van fitted with a tracker/telematics? If so, if he had 11 points on his licence why wasn't his employer monitoring his driving more closely?
For what it's worth, not a bad court result for a sad situation.
Out in three if he's a good boy and little if any remorse shown. Good that they wouldn't accept his plea though.
At last, the CPS and a jury finds some driving to be dangerous.
I know, I almost can't believe it.
And, finally, a sentence which isn't a slap on the wrist.
5 year driving ban doesn't seem anywhere near tough enough though.
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