Duffus Dip

[kenny]

I recently bought an Elise which is why I found the website.

In that case welcome to SE I was wondering if you had just signed up to comment on this thread only hence my question. You might want to introduce yourself in the newbies bit.

Don't worry about Shuggles, he is only about half as angry as he looks.

[mac]

Should justice not be blind and your previous failings only brought into consideration once you have been convicted by your peers?

I've only read the extract from the paper posted so my view may be one sided due to the lack of full information but I don't think, taking this incident in isolation that the punishment for this person was unjust. It was the other driver who caused death by dangerous driving (it would be hard to convict someone for dangerous driving for the act of braking)

Again, in isolation, could it not be argued that he overtook the corsa which responded in the driver taking exception and driving in an aggresive manner and that fearing for his safety he drove as quickly as possible towards the nearest police station (middle of 'muchty IIRC) however on arriving at the limits of the village he slowed to an acceptable speed as there was less chance of an attack in the view of witnesses and in close proximity to the police station. It wouldn't be the first time folk in elises have, rightly or wrongly thought that they may be threatened by other road users.

That said, if your past goes before you as you walk into court then I doubt the above would be considered by a reasonable person.

Mac

[r10crw]

Given the evidence I feel the result is fair. Yes if the aformentioned is true then he deserves more but there is no proof of racing. He maybe braked very hard but someone braking sharply upon entry to a village is not exactly uncommon (I realise that his intention could have been to cause a swerve), and in that case the following driver is responsable for stopping, end of. Had it not been Duffus I doubt the driver would have lost his license but been cautioned for the wreckless driving.
I remember showing Charlenes Grandma the lotus for the first time. Her first comment was how she had seen several of these cars pass the bus on route to aberdeen and they were "obviously racing". Had either of us had an accident further down the road we would surely have serious questions to answer purely because of the inexperience of the bus occupants.
If anyone feels differently thats great, we live in a democracy, perhaps you would be better suited to a legal system that uses hearsay in convictions.

[Fifelk]

Thanks for the welcome Kenny. I'll introduce myself if we meet up at Knockhill, our's is a metallic black and silver 111R with a white disc on the bonnet, and is slightly non standard! I'll not post here again but look forward to meeting up with some Elise owners.
We're at Mallory early in the year, if anyone spots us say hello.

[cla5h]

The first two deaths were in the very early 80s, so giving him the benefit of the doubt, his driving may have been impeccable since.

There apparently wasn't sufficient evidence to convict on a more serious charge in this case (and as I think has been stated, previous form doesn't denote guilt.)

However, leaving aside whether the charge or sentence are right or wrong, this was a 62 yr old man, "racing" (I use the term loosely) a ned in a Corsa.

What the hell was he thinking of; the guy is clearly a clown.

Aside from thoughts for the victim's family, I actually feel some weird sort of sympathy for the Corsa driver (in spite of his reckless criminality) for getting sucked into road wars with Duffus - his life is ruined now (granted, it's entirely his own fault, as he should have known better.)

Horrible story.