For some aspiring cyclists, the ride to and from work in a morning is the best way for them to begin their day. It fills their body with fresh air, and contributes to their healthy lifestyle. Cyclists are fully aware of the dangers of cycling to work, which is why they follow guidelines in place, such as wearing protective gear and high visibility clothing.
The government and local councils have worked together in building cycling lanes across the U.K which provide cyclists with a safe place to ride that should have no interference from other road users. Although the government is building more and more cycle lanes to make cycling safer yet, accidents still happen.
A report in the Daily Mail reveals how a lorry driver has been banned from driving for life and received a 7-year jail sentence after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. A court heard he was over the drink-drive limit and had consumed almost a gallon of Guinness the night before the accident. He was said to have been suffering from the ‘most God-awful hangover’.
Dennis Putz, 51, already had a string of driving convictions including three for drink-driving and 20 for driving while disqualified. He hit Catriona Patel, 39, as he accelerated away from traffic lights while using his mobile phone. Putz didn’t realise he had run over the cyclist until witnesses began hammering at his cab door. Two witnesses at the scene told how they tried to comfort Mrs Patel, who was still conscious in the tangle of metal.
Returning a unanimous verdict of finding Putz guilty, Judge Roger Chapple said Putz had made an ‘extraordinarily irresponsible’ decision to climb into his cab. Sentencing Putz, he said: “Since your first disqualification 34 years ago you have shown a consistent disregard for road traffic laws. Prison sentences in the past have not persuaded you to mend your ways. Plainly you should never be allowed behind the wheel of an HGV again. The risk to the public is just too great.”
Although the accident caused by Putz is an extreme example of the risk cyclists are put at by drivers who choose to disregard the laws, accidents happen on an everyday basis. If you have been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault you may be able to make an injury compensation claim.
