cyclist killed by a texting motorist - UK Web Hosting | Dedicated Server Windows and Linux VPS Forum

**John** · #1 (**permalink**) 29-02-2008, 12:53

Quote:

A motorist who was texting on her mobile phone when she hit and killed a cyclist has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Jordan Wickington, 19, died from head injuries when he went through a red light and was struck by Kiera Coultas' car in Southampton in February 2007.

Coultas had earlier been found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving.

The 25-year-old from Hythe, Hampshire, was banned from driving for five years.

Following the crash, Mr Wickington, of Netley, Hampshire, who had not been wearing a helmet, was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he later died.

Sgt Alison West, of Hampshire Constabulary, recommended drivers switched off their mobile phones during journeys.

"It's pretty routine nowadays at the scene of these serious or fatal accidents to seize drivers' mobile phones, and to have them analysed to see if the phone has had anything to do with the driving standards involved," she said.

"In this particular incident, it transpired from a phone analysis that there was phone use close to the time of the incident."

Source http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/h...re/7270751.stm

It's obviously very stupid to send a text message while driving, especially going through traffic lights. However, is it not equally stupid for a cyclist to go through a red light and not be wearing his helmet?

Two stupid people collide and one dies...

**eUKhost.com** · #2 (**permalink**) 29-02-2008, 13:16

lol. one of my friend replies to emails while driving. I've seen her answering n number of messages while driving and she did few minor accidents as well while driving. Female drivers get sympathy from crowd as well as cops and that encourages them to break driving rules. Cell phone is the best friend of a girl and they can't stay away from their Mobile while driving

**John** · #3 (**permalink**) 29-02-2008, 13:52

Well, it seems this one didn't get any sympathy. 4 years is quite a long time for such an offence. I have seen death by dangerous driving people escape with 6 months in prison.

**eUKhost.com** · #4 (**permalink**) 29-02-2008, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Well, it seems this one didn't get any sympathy. 4 years is quite a long time for such an offence. I have seen death by dangerous driving people escape with 6 months in prison.

She will be doing same thing even after 4 years

**myx** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 12:46

I very much doubt after 4 years she'll be texting whilst driving again. I think a week in prison would've probably done the job

**John** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 22:28

It's hard to say. Everyone thinks differently. This may haunt her for the rest of her life or she may just shrug it off when she is released. Either way, I doubt she will be stupid enough to do the same thing again.

It was nice to see a Judge give a reasonable sentence for once. Motorists killing people have been let off too leniently for a long time now.

However, Cyclists need a reality check. They can't just go through red lights as if the rules don't apply to them. I would also say that wearing a helmet is just common sense.

**Bank$** · #7 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by eUKhost.com

lol. one of my friend replies to emails while driving. I've seen her answering n number of messages while driving and she did few minor accidents as well while driving. Female drivers get sympathy from crowd as well as cops and that encourages them to break driving rules. Cell phone is the best friend of a girl and they can't stay away from their Mobile while driving

lol replying to emails, crazy stuff

**DPS Computing** · #8 (**permalink**) 17-03-2008, 14:28

The one disappointing thing is that after 4 years in prison the driving ban equaits to only 1 year - which is quite pathetic I think really.

Its these kinds of people that shouldn't have a license in the first place - and then to let them get it back so soon, well it just seems to sum up the countries legal system

.

**eUKhost.com** · #9 (**permalink**) 17-03-2008, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

The one disappointing thing is that after 4 years in prison the driving ban equaits to only 1 year - which is quite pathetic I think really.

Its these kinds of people that shouldn't have a license in the first place - and then to let them get it back so soon, well it just seems to sum up the countries legal system

.

are you sure you never answered phone while driving ?

**DPS Computing** · #10 (**permalink**) 18-03-2008, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by eUKhost.com

are you sure you never answered phone while driving ?

a) I have handsfree on automatic answer so the answer is no!!!!!

and b) even if I had have done (just for arguments sake) I have not killed any cyclist, pedestrians or other road users.

c) even for those who do use phones without handsfree (or text) while driving it should be common sense not to do it while going through a junction! (which was probably busy!).

d) If I did do this and did kill someone I would expect my license back...... in roughly........ never! lol. I would count myself if I even had my liberty within the next 10 years - never mind my license to drive (which this woman obviously thought was a license to kill - too many James Bond films for her I think!)

I rest for the prosecution, your honour

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