Just the other day I authored an article on speeding and its dangers. And I will be covering the same topic again after reading this heartbreaking story of a young boy killed by a reckless, speeding driver.
According to the Daily Mail (source), a 12 year old boy who beat leukaemia and lived with several disabilities was tragically knocked down by a speeding driver doing almost twice the limit, as he was crossing the road on his bicycle. Steven Atkinson was reportedly born with a cleft palate and curvature of the spine, as well as being deaf in one ear and having an immobile eye. After a 3 year battle, this brave young boy beat leukaemia.
It’s difficult to hear of any fatal incident resulting from speeding and reckless driving; but even more so when a child is involved, and even more so that the victim was a brave young boy that overcame so much difficulty and suffering in his life – only to be killed by a speeding driver.
The driver, 21 year old Ross Telfer, has admitted causing death by dangerous driving at Newcastle Crown Court. The court heard that he was travelling at no less than 53mph in a 30mph zone in his Mini car. The case has been adjourned for reports; however the judge has warned Telfer he faces a prison sentence.
After the incident, Stevens’s mother said “he had thousands of friends – he was liked by everybody. He is going to be missed.” She went on to describe that watching her boy overcome so much has made this loss all the more cruel.
It’s difficult to hear of such tragic incidents; especially given the heart-warming story behind the youngsters’ battle through so much, and his courage in the face of adversity. And this story just defines the dangers of speeding. The limits are there for a very important reason, yet people are still willing to ignore the law and put peoples’ lives in danger.
The big problem, I believe, is that drivers are more concerned with not getting caught for speeding. I’m sure you have all seen the drivers in the fast lane of the motorway breaching 90mph, or ignoring 30mph on populated street roads. And how many of you have seen them slam their brakes on to slow down when they spot a traffic officer on the motorways, or slow down for speed cameras? It seems to me it’s all about getting away with it, and avoiding being caught.
The attitude clearly needs to change. Perhaps our roads would be safer if drivers thought more about the consequences to other people when speeding. This story is something we should all remember and take in to consideration when out on the roads. If more people were to think about who they could end up hurting, then perhaps they would think twice before breaking the speed limit.
