Comments on: Another Pedestrian Dies, Another Killer Driver Walks http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:43:57 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: I \v/ NY http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66735 I \v/ NY Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:20:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66735 kill someone with a gun... get life in prison or death kill someone with a car... nothing. someone needs to pass this on to the NRA, it seems guns are at a disadvantage. kill someone with a gun... get life in prison or death
kill someone with a car... nothing.

someone needs to pass this on to the NRA, it seems guns are at a disadvantage.

]]> By: Eileen http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66724 Eileen Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:03:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66724 How about if there were mandatory impoundment of a vehicle involved in a crash, as possible evidence of a crime or for civil liability purposes? The vehicle could be held for enough time to allow the police, as well as the driver and pedestrian (or bicyclist), and insurers (if any), to have the vehicle examined before the driver has the chance to remove evidence. Plus the added benefit of the driver hopefully not having anything to drive. How about if there were mandatory impoundment of a vehicle involved in a crash, as possible evidence of a crime or for civil liability purposes? The vehicle could be held for enough time to allow the police, as well as the driver and pedestrian (or bicyclist), and insurers (if any), to have the vehicle examined before the driver has the chance to remove evidence. Plus the added benefit of the driver hopefully not having anything to drive.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66707 Josh Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:09:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66707 "Mothers Against Deadly Drivers. It could be an umbrella organization that takes the already established MADD network and widens its vision to include all drivers who kill from behind the wheel, whether the contributing factor is alcohol, meth, cell phone, or trying to find that lost pack of gum under the passenger seat." Or just plain old incompetence. "Mothers Against Deadly Drivers. It could be an umbrella organization that takes the already established MADD network and widens its vision to include all drivers who kill from behind the wheel, whether the contributing factor is alcohol, meth, cell phone, or trying to find that lost pack of gum under the passenger seat."

Or just plain old incompetence.

]]> By: zach http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66688 zach Tue, 21 Apr 2009 06:06:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66688 Mothers Against Deadly Drivers. It could be an umbrella organization that takes the already established MADD network and widens its vision to include all drivers who kill from behind the wheel, whether the contributing factor is alcohol, meth, cell phone, or trying to find that lost pack of gum under the passenger seat. Mothers Against Deadly Drivers. It could be an umbrella organization that takes the already established MADD network and widens its vision to include all drivers who kill from behind the wheel, whether the contributing factor is alcohol, meth, cell phone, or trying to find that lost pack of gum under the passenger seat.

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66679 Andy B from Jersey Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:18:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66679 John, That quote is something I'll have to remember. Still I do not feel comfortable passing judgment on driver not know any facts even though I have my doubts about the drivers innocence. John,

That quote is something I'll have to remember.

Still I do not feel comfortable passing judgment on driver not know any facts even though I have my doubts about the drivers innocence.

]]> By: Rhywun http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66677 Rhywun Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:21:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66677 <i>The driver will remain licensed and free to drive again.</i> Exactly. We can argue about whether to charge these people with some sort of crime (what?), but at a <i>bare</i> minimum you would think society would not allow such people to drive again. Personally, I'm not so quick to label these cases as crimes, except when the driver did something really stupid, like left his vehicle running and walked away. The best you can hope for is MUCH stricter licensing and enforcement of said licensing. The driver will remain licensed and free to drive again.

Exactly. We can argue about whether to charge these people with some sort of crime (what?), but at a bare minimum you would think society would not allow such people to drive again.

Personally, I'm not so quick to label these cases as crimes, except when the driver did something really stupid, like left his vehicle running and walked away.

The best you can hope for is MUCH stricter licensing and enforcement of said licensing.

]]> By: fdr http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66675 fdr Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:51:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66675 The judges in "car court" will be appointed by the politicians, or elected in uncontested elections. Not something to look forward to. The judges in "car court" will be appointed by the politicians, or elected in uncontested elections. Not something to look forward to.

]]> By: Albert http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66674 Albert Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:39:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66674 <<I>> Important point, Glenn. It's truly odd (to say the least) that these "accidents" always seem to get resolved so quickly, as if a judge, jury and instant replay camera have been quickly dispatched to the scene. <>

Important point, Glenn. It's truly odd (to say the least) that these "accidents" always seem to get resolved so quickly, as if a judge, jury and instant replay camera have been quickly dispatched to the scene.

]]> By: John http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66672 John Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:19:36 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66672 In this country, the right to drive is considered more important than the right to live. In this country, the right to drive is considered more important than the right to live.

]]> By: Glenn http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66669 Glenn Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:00:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66669 I don't even understand how people get cleared so quickly. Instead of "not charged", which sounds like "Total Exoneration" there should be "pending investigation" or at least "it's unclear if charges will be filed". I think we need a separate court for auto crashes that result in death or serious injury that is linked to the DMV with a full range of civil, criminal and license administrative penalties. Call it Car Court. I don't even understand how people get cleared so quickly. Instead of "not charged", which sounds like "Total Exoneration" there should be "pending investigation" or at least "it's unclear if charges will be filed".

I think we need a separate court for auto crashes that result in death or serious injury that is linked to the DMV with a full range of civil, criminal and license administrative penalties. Call it Car Court.

]]> By: oscarfrye http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66667 oscarfrye Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:39:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66667 unbelievable do we need to start an organization? HARD - Humans Against Reckless Driving unbelievable

do we need to start an organization?

HARD - Humans Against Reckless Driving

]]> By: Eric McClure http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66663 Eric McClure Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:23:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66663 If one were using another piece of heavy equipment, like, say, a chain saw, and accidentally cut someone in half as she was passing by one's yard, I think there's a pretty good chance one would be charged with something, no? If one were using another piece of heavy equipment, like, say, a chain saw, and accidentally cut someone in half as she was passing by one's yard, I think there's a pretty good chance one would be charged with something, no?

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/04/20/another-pedestrian-dies-another-killer-driver-walks/comment-page-1/#comment-66660 Mark Walker Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:09:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5943#comment-66660 "The driver stayed at the scene and was not charged." Just as important in my view: The driver will remain licensed and free to drive again. "The driver stayed at the scene and was not charged."

Just as important in my view:

The driver will remain licensed and free to drive again.

]]>