http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Cyclist critical after Peebles A72 crash en Mon, 18 May 2026 05:53:53 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-238234 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 18:54:03 +0000 crowriver 238234@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think what we have in this case is that the (part-time) Sheriff must have decided the offense fell into the category of "Careless of inconsiderate driving arising from momentary inattention with no aggravating factors". Sentencing guideline currently is a starting point of "Community order (medium)".</p> <p>I am unaware of any mitigating factors - if they exist they have not been reported in the press - but this sentence still seems rather lenient even compared to the guidelines. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-238231 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 18:11:34 +0000 Frenchy 238231@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I checked the "Charging and Prosecution" booklet made by RoadJustice and the CTC. The table in it says that Causing Death by Careless Driving has an obligatory one year driving ban. Is this a Scotland/England and Wales difference? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-238230 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 17:43:32 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 238230@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>English &amp; Welsh data, but even by the already very lenient sentencing for this offence, that is a shocker.</p> <p><a href="http://www.roadpeace.org/resources/RoadPeace_briefing_5_November_2014.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.roadpeace.org/resources/RoadPeace_briefing_5_November_2014.pdf</a></p> <p>An an aside, I know of someone convicted quite a few years ago of careless driving on a motorway for underpassing a bus. Noone injured, no vehicles damaged. <em>They</em> got 9 points. </p> <p>What price a life? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-238218 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 15:58:48 +0000 Cyclingmollie 238218@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Careless driving, dangerous driving, being convicted of being a dangerous driver or a careless driver or a homicidal driver or indeed a murderous driver, whatever, these are all terms which will follow William Stewart of Innerleithen for a long time on Google. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-238210 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:54:32 +0000 Frenchy 238210@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I thought causing death by careless driving carried a mandatory driving ban. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-238208 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:46:04 +0000 Dave 238208@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The labels attached to the offences are a bit of a distraction and I wish they could be changed. This guy has been found guilty of a homicide. "Careless" and "dangerous" have unhelpful meanings, if it's easier, consider he was convicted of a 2nd degree vehicular homicide and not a 1st degree one.</p> <p>I agree the penalties seem ludicrously small. £650 for a life, when dog fouling can get you up to a £1000 fine. However, it's progress that people are being convicted of vehicular homicides at all. So much of the time the police or the judicial system just shrug it away. The wrong kind of light, or whatever. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-238198 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:47:33 +0000 neddie 238198@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Whilst it is a start that they've increased the penalties for "causing death by dangerous driving", the real problem is that too often judges/juries/magistrates go for "causing death by <em>careless</em> driving", which carries a much lower penalty.</p> <p>£650 and had five penalty points is an absolutely disgustingly trivial penalty.</p> <p>(I imagine £650 is peanuts for someone who can afford to run/buy a Volvo XC90) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-238195 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:37:31 +0000 slowcoach 238195@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"after a trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court, Sheriff Valerie Johnston found him guilty" (of causing death by careless driving) </p> <p>"Stewart was fined £650 and had five penalty points endorsed on his licence." </p> <p><a href="http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/14916110.Driver_guilty_of_causing_death_of_Peebles_cyclist/">Peeblesshire News </a> 19.11.16 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-204738 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 14:55:05 +0000 Roibeard 204738@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The "<a href="http://www.unlockthelaw.co.uk/serious-crime-defence-high-court-advocates-scotland.html">no plea or declaration</a>" appears to be just part of the normal procedure - I think it is due to the case being referred to a higher court.</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-204723 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 14:04:55 +0000 slowcoach 204723@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Man in court over Peebles cyclist death" <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-34775438">Brief report -</a> driver charged with causing death by careless driving - no plea or declaration </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-188682 Sun, 17 May 2015 21:19:15 +0000 slowcoach 188682@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sad update - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-32435566">Carl died</a> on 22 April having been in hospital since he was injured in October. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-170425 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:11:16 +0000 slowcoach 170425@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The <a href="http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/peebles/articles/2014/10/31/514458-cyclist-remains-in-critical-condition-following-crash/">Peeblesshire News</a> reports that the cyclist was still critical yesterday, and names him as Carl Lane, Peebles Cycling Club's President. It says he is from Eshiels so the railway path and the B7026 are probably further away than the A72.<br /> The <a href="http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/roundup/articles/2010/07/19/402528-oap-cyclist-saddles-up-once-more-/">Peeblesshire</a> also reports that he broke his neck cycling at Glentress 5 years ago but returned to cycling after that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-170144 Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:01:05 +0000 slowcoach 170144@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Good as the railway path is, it doesn't go everywhere, and we need to be safe on other roads to get to and from anywhere else. Too often, rather than a help to travelling, A-roads (or rather the motorists on them) are a barrier for walking and cycling. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-169834 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:03:26 +0000 Nelly 169834@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"There is a back road which I use 'twixt Peebles and Innerleithen, passes through Traquair"</p> <p>Yep, B7062. My preferred route and much calmer alternative route - although we dont know if it is in any way convenient to the victims start end point. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-169830 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:59:02 +0000 slowcoach 169830@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sad to hear this. Let's hope they pull through. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-169827 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:55:37 +0000 amir 169827@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>+1 terrible. We should be safe on A roads whether there are facilities or not.</p> <p>The cycle path is good enough with lights but the first bit is a bit windy/lumpy before it straightens - there's also still a bit with gravelly stuff rather than asphalt. The bit east of Cardrona is great. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-169801 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 12:40:49 +0000 crowriver 169801@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Terrible. </p> <p>There is a back road which I use 'twixt Peebles and Innerleithen, passes through Traquair. Recommended and part of the official on-road cycling route too. Difficult to avoid A72 west of Peebles unless you really, really, like climbing hills. Even then have to use A72 on last wee stretch near the castle. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-169766 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:15:34 +0000 ARobComp 169766@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Such a shame. There is an offroad cycle path between the two towns but it might not go to where you want it to go to. Also I';ve never cycled it in the dark/winter and it might not be feasible. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13794#post-169764 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:07:11 +0000 kaputnik 169764@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-29800623" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-29800623</a><br /> <em>An elderly cyclist is in a critical condition in hospital after a crash on the A72 near Peebles.</p> <p>Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision which involved his bicycle and a Volvo car.</p> <p>The accident happened on the Peebles to Glentress Road near to Eshiels Mill at about 18:00 on Monday.</p> <p>The cyclist suffered serious injuries and was transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The road was closed for six hours for investigations.</em></p> <p>Another day in Scotland. Another cycling tragedy. Another A-road. Another year of government inaction forecast. </p>