2013-07-15 - Rider Down/Fatality, Holborn/Procter Street (London)

The travesty basically rests with the CPS for failing to pursue a conviction for the more serious offence.

Following the sentencing (17/05/15) sufficient information in the case will already exist within the public domain that a request for information relating to the decision on prosecution shouldn't be prejudiced by Data Protection or by an ongoing case. This may be subject to whether Barry Meyer expresses an intention to launch an appeal. It's unlikely as it appears that he has now admitted guilt.

This kind of prosecution seems to be part of a trend in relation to road traffic deaths and an understanding of how these travesties come about will likely give us the best idea as to how to go about addressing them effectively and preventing them in the future.

Driving (goods and personal) should be treated as a privelege not a right. If he isn't banned for life, there is no justice.

It seemed to be only a matter of time until his poor driving met the inevitable consequences. How can this kind of thing be prevented? It seems so unnecessary given the warning signs that he was going to keep driving while disqualified.

What is good about this is that the judge allowed this information about the drivers 'bad character' to be admissible as evidence in this case. It isn't usually allowed so a good precedent may be established here

Tragic! I feel for the family of this man so much, having to read about a guy that has repeatedly carried on driving while disqualified and is clearly a danger in one of those things. Surely the law should be tougher if someone repeatedly ignores driving while banned. Tougher as in he should have been jailed and off the roads. RIP.

Sentencing apparently due this afternoon.

Three and a half years.

The judge questioned why the Police hadn't prosecuted the company. Exactly. Why didn't they?
Who was he driving for?

We have written to the traffic commissioner asking him to revoke the lorry owner's operating licence and ban the managers. Story and link to letter here:
http://lcc.org.uk/articles/lawless-and-selfish-lorry-driver-sentenced-to-3half-years-jail

Some of the wording in that letter seems slightly awkward. I'm not sure if that's because it's a legal thing or not. I'm glad you've sent it but would like to have seen stronger wording.
Given the facts of the case I'm shocked and appalled at how this person could have been employed to drive a HGV anywhere, let alone in the crowded confines of central London where all road users need to demonstrate utmost care, especially during rush hour.
There were ample opportunities for the CPS and the police to ensure that someone who had repeatedly demonstrated that they were unfit to operate such a vehicle in such circumstances could not do so and if the employer had carried out the most cursory of checks it must have been unambiguous that he should not have been behind the wheel.
Asking for a review sounds to those outside the campaigning bubble much too mild considering this case. If this results in anything less than a prosecution of the employer for negligence (appropriate legal wording notwithstanding) then it appears that these licensing organisations are a pointless use of public funds and are incapable or unwilling of improving the safety of road users in the UK.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/killer-hgv-driver-barry-meyer-who-mowed-down-alan-neve-jailed-for-three-and-a-half-years-10250978.html

I thought the firm remaining unnamed meant charges were possible but the police say they have no plans to prosecute. So we don't even find out who sent that lorry out with that driver.

So he'll be back on the road in 3.5 years then?

Should cut off his hands and feet.

2 years maximum, for better or worse we have a progressive jailing policy... The time in jail is almost irrelevant, it's effective lifetime bans from driving HGVs that is needed. We ban people from owning dogs, working in schools, working with the elderly but driving is some holy fucking pursuit that must be allowed at all costs...

Charlie was on BBC London Radio this morning: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02q7mkm#playt=1h17m00s. He says as @hairnetnic says above; people like this should never be behind the wheel - of anything, but particularly a large lorry - ever again.

Yesterday's BBC London (TV) news piece is here in case anyone's interested. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05tb7dy/bbc-london-news-14052015

Although a lifetime ban from HGV driving is less of a punishment if the company employing you doesn't check that you have a HGV licence.

hence I used the phrase ''effective'', lifetime ban with threat of ten years inside if caught?, dataloggers and biometric id checkers in all HGVs? Baseball bat to the knees?

Castrate and lobotomise.

The operator number cited by the LCC, OK1046680 is listed on the VOSA website as Alan John Drummond with the transport manager Colin Frank Drummond.
http://www.tan.gov.uk/tanen/vosa_anonymousoperatorsearchdetails_new.asp?txtRequestId=186697
5 vehicles listed and an East London address.

Still can't find the company name though. That part of Barking looks like an utter, utter shit hole on Street view.

Drummond Haulage LTD
http://transportation-companies.findthecompany.co.uk/l/14457/Drummond-Haulage-LTD

I realise there's a lot of emotion attached to this case and it has come to an end, of sorts, from a judicial perspective. However, I would caution against rushing out into a campaign of doxxing and harassment. It won't help us achieve safer roads or more rigourous standards in driving.

Traffic Commissioner has replied to our letter, they will be bringing the lorry owner in for a review of his licence etc. It is no longer Drummond Haulage Ltd. they went out of business in 2009, some of the lorries now operated directly by former owner. - More details when I get them.

Here's our piece on how the Traffic Commissioner should be able to take action
http://lcc.org.uk/articles/traffic-commissioner-responds-to-calls-for-action-against-suspect-lorry-operator

That certainly sounds promising that the Traffic Commisioner are prepared to take a decent look into this case. I hope they're able to demonstrate some clear, impartial and robust practice in it's investigations and findings.

However, it's a little disappointing that it is only coming about on the prompting of a campaigning organisation rather than any of the statutory bodies that have been involved and aware of the circumstances of the incident and the potential failings of the vehicle owners/operators. It's exactly this disconnect that demonstrates a need for the institution of a practice of mandatory reporting by involved agencies to bodies like the Traffic Commisioner.

'A preliminary hearing will be held into licence holder Alan Drummond, who is based in Barking'
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/two-lorry-drivers-face-court-over-deaths-of-cyclists-killed-in-separate-crashes-at-ludgate-circus-blackspot-10278196.html

UPDATE (08/06/15)
The preliminary hearing was due to be held on 5th June but Alan Drummond did not attend.

The public inquiry will go ahead as planned on June 24th.

Traffic Commissioner, Nick Denton, has said that failure to attend will have an adverse impact on the company’s repute and on his decision when the inquiry concludes.

http://www.roadjustice.org.uk/case-study/lorry-driver-arrested-after-cyclist-dies-london-crash-150713