Driver who knocked down four cyclists disqualified

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Wed, 17 Feb 2010 4:10p.m.

Jennifer Speakman was disqualified for six months and ordered to pay $1000 reparation to each of the cyclists (NZPA)

Jennifer Speakman was disqualified for six months and ordered to pay $1000 reparation to each of the cyclists (NZPA)

A driver who knocked down four cyclists on a popular Auckland waterfront road last year has lost her licence and must pay the victims reparation.

Jennifer Speakman, 20, was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay $1000 reparation to each of the cyclists she bowled over when she was sentenced in Auckland District Court today.

She had earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of careless driving causing injury.

A spokesman for the cyclists, John Carter, said the amount of the reparation was too lenient.

Speakman would not comment as she left the court.

The charges came after she collided with the cyclists while trying to enter Tamaki Drive from Cliff Road in St Heliers early in the morning on September 26 last year.

Tamaki Drive, which runs for about 10km along the Waitemata Harbour waterfront, from near the city centre to St Heliers Bay, is the busiest cycle route in Auckland, but its popularity also makes it among the most dangerous.

NZPA

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Comments

03 Dec 2010 06:20p.m.

Martin wrote:

Come on, give the lady a break. I know her and she wouldn't do such a thing on purpose, she wouldn't hurt a fly. Most cyclists these days have got to remember that they're on a road which is shared by cars also. Cyclists get in the way of the roads and don't like to share, with that attitude there's bound to be an accident.

16 Mar 2010 10:01p.m.

bob wrote:

she got off lite, well what more could you expect. maybe she should go out riding and see how it would feel if a car bowled her over, injuring her with a lifetime injury/handicap; would that be better justice ?

19 Feb 2010 11:48a.m.

Jim wrote:

"And who would be silly enough to loan this women the amount of money proposed by you and Robert?!!!"
I will re-phrase this.
This young lady could not afford what you propose, give her a break and we will worry about real criminals.
You also speak as if these cyclists did not have insurance, very strange!!!

18 Feb 2010 04:39p.m.

Jim wrote:

Rolf Krage
It is an accident, not a crime. Bludgening someone to death is a crime. And tell me, what do you know of the cyclists, were they 3 abreast?. Cause if they were, in your eyes that is a crime as well.
And who would be silly enough to loan this women the amount of money proposed by you and Robert?!!!

18 Feb 2010 03:06p.m.

Rolf Krage wrote:

You are so right Robert JD ! Shame on the justice system and the judge!! One can put forward all sorts of placatory comments on the "poor woman's" error of judgement etc but nothing will change that the Pattersons have been devastated by this gross negligence! Greg may have well have to live the legacy of his injuries for the rest of his life and his family with him. How can a sentence so weak be 'justice'? The bike alone was a $5k investment! Not even an apology is mentioned!
Of course it could have happened to anyone who was not vigilent - but if you commit a crime why get the full retribution of the law plus a realistic compensation - not that it is enough to make up for the horrors of the aftermath - but it would salve the hurt to some extent!
When is the "hairy legged , sandal brigade" of the legal system writers and administrators going to get 'real' with guilty parties?

18 Feb 2010 12:18p.m.

Lee wrote:

Well said Jim. My sincere condolences to Liz and those families affected.

18 Feb 2010 09:05a.m.

Jim wrote:

I agree with Matt and Egg. The lady is only 20 and can not afford what Robert was eluding too. Maybe 12 months would be more approppriate for the loss of licence, but an accident is an accident to where as speed and drunk driving is not.
The young lady would be ashamed of herself and have the memories for a long time. Like Egg, I have run into many cyclists who think they own the road, but I will not pre-judge these men woithout knowing!!!

18 Feb 2010 08:22a.m.

Robert J D wrote:

Im a manukau vet member, i also hold a drivers licence, the truth of the matter is the woman made a mistake, just the same as all drivers do from time to time, and generaly metal meets metal, in this case its cyclists, which are no different than chaps on motorbikes, are they insured - i think not, and as per anything that travels on the road they should be if only to cover their own personal injuries and loss of earning (im insured to the hilt as have been hospitalised twice)as for the lady in question as any where else in the world this would have been a 12month ban and probably $8,000 each compensation with claims for their bikes from her insurance.
The real facts, is the judge as per the slack justice system is in NZ, was to leinient, and the cycleists were not insured, loss of earnings and health insurance is a $100 a month, and bike insurance should be compulsary as should be third party min insurance on a car.
Its the system thats at fault, all people on the road should be insured both for all road vehicles, and personal cover insurance, things will only change when a judge cyclist dies on his or her bike through a car accident (like thats ever going to happen), wake up kiwis get yourselves in order and petition for change, after all Europe does.

18 Feb 2010 08:14a.m.

Egg wrote:

I agree with Matt. The lady did not do things deliberately. I have ridden with these guys and stopped because they ride unsafely generally. I'm pretty sick of cyclists like this bunch thinking they are the only ones on the road. If they cycled defensively the accident may not have happened.

18 Feb 2010 08:03a.m.

Lightseed wrote:

Matt you just don't get it. The cyclists might still be alive, but for some their injuries will last with them their life time. This lady got off too easy with what she did, she should never be allowed near a car again.