How Can This Be Classed As Careless Driving?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2543804/Motorist-facing-court-driving-puddle-drenching-group-primary-school-children-parents.html

If he had suddenly reduced speed a vehicle travelling behind could have run into the back of him, and suddenly swerving into the centre of the road would have been equally dangerous.

Perhaps it is the council who should be prosecuted for the poor road condition or blocked drains that created the 'puddle', and why is an officer of the law allowed to pose with a member of the public at such a 'serious' time?

[pixie373]

If he had done an emergency stop and the (police) car behind had rammed into him, that is entirely the fault of the car behind for not leaving enough space. I think the driver's actions were deliberate, though.

[andy-hughes]

pixie - "If he had done an emergency stop and the (police) car behind had rammed into him, that is entirely the fault of the car behind for not leaving enough space. I think the driver's actions were deliberate, though."

The report does not say that police car was behind the driver, rather that it was the next vehicle along the road, and was flagged down so the incident could be reported. There is no circumstance where the police car would have rear-ended the original car.

Had the police driver been within that range, he would have observed the incident first hand, and no doubt pulled the driver over for the proverbial 'word'.

[joggerjayne]

It's ... water

It's ... just ... water !!

I love it that it's described as a "large wave" LOL LOL LOL

Although I think the driver deserves to be prosecuted for having a name like ...

... Mark Hercules !!

Is that for real?

[New Judge]

There is no question that this is careless driving (definition: “...that which falls below the standard expected of a careful and competent driver”)

Careful and competent drivers avoid large puddles whenever possible or at least slow down considerably if they are unavoidable. This is because of the effect the water has on their car and the consequences that might arise from ploughing through it. In recent weeks there has been a lot of standing water around and drivers should adjust their driving accordingly, otherwise they are being careless.

[hc4361]

The police officer is Mark Hercules, not the offending driver.

[ichkeria]

If you have to slow down such that you are likely to cause an accident behind then chances are you're driving too fast. If there's a big puddle ahead and some people on the pavement then you should be anticipating an issue and be slowing down to stop.
It all comes down to speed often: the faster you're going the less likely you are to be aware of these things and have time to act accordingly

[hc4361]

This is what happens when you hit a puddle at speed - you lose control when you aquaplane

[stewey]

I think that most of us who appear to be finding the driver not at fault are, in fact, not doing that. I, for one, in my posts was ridiculing the absolute out of proportion hysterical responses of the people who experienced a "near drowning experience".

[Zeuhl]

Having young children drenched with dirty, oily water is an excellent start to their day.

Much better than drivers being inconvenienced or required to think about the consequences of their actions.

Perhaps the pavements should be removed all together. It would discourage pedestrians from attempting this anti-social walking nonsense and make the road wider.

[stewey]

You are absolutely correct, Zeuhl: it is certainly not a good start to their day. However, life is swamped with with unfortunate incidents, but most of us manage to keep our heads above water.

[IWillHelpYa]

Dear anotheoldgit,
I have not looked at the article you are discussing but I feel sure the courts would have lined to the arguments you have mentioned. They will have looked at the other evidence also. Should we consider the weather and road conditions prevailing? Should we consider the infinite dangers that school children pose to any driver? Should we consider the depth of the puddle and the affect it could have upon the vehicle handling, such as aquaplaning? Should we also consider the devastation to the children's parents and the children themselves, that aquaplaning could have caused? Should the driver have considered slowing his vehicle enough in good time by anticipating the dangers ahead of him? Should he have needed to reduce his speed so suddenly or have to swerve out into the road at all?Should we consider that he did not? I think you understand where I am going. At the very least, each of the children's parents could have sued him for the cleaning of their kids clothing, and won I might add!!!!