NJ: Driver had suspended license when killed bicyclist

[merckxman]

https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2024/10/...cials-say.html

".....He was charged with third-degree operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license while being involved in a fatal crash, authorities said....."

I believe that charge falls under assault by auto, 3-5 year prison term. Maybe an attorney here can clarify. Let's see where this goes.

[benb]

Just happened in our town in the last couple months.

We got some of those flexible bollards put up in the crosswalk as a result and what I think is the only ghost bike in town. There has been one other cyclist killed since I moved here but it was right in the center of town and the powers that be probably stopped a ghost bike from getting put up in the center of town at what is an incredibly dangerous intersection.

No signs the driver is getting any criminal charges in this latest one:

- Cyclist was walking in the crosswalk, not riding
- Driver had a suspended license
- Driver was supposedly speeding - 25mph limit but almost all cars go 40mph there
- Driver was looking at cell phone

[CAAD]

People will never change their behavior until we strictly impose actual consequences for these types of crimes. I have zero faith in the justice system when it comes to these types of cases.

[Alistair]

Originally Posted by CAAD

People will never change their behavior until we strictly impose actual consequences for these types of crimes. I have zero faith in the justice system when it comes to these types of cases.

I don't disagree, but at the same time, we need to do a better job of providing non-automotive means of transportation. Unless bus/rail/bike/foot are viable, bad drivers are going to continue to drive out of necessity, no matter what the law says.

[bshell]

Originally Posted by Alistair

I don't disagree, but at the same time, we need to do a better job of providing non-automotive means of transportation. Unless bus/rail/bike/foot are viable, bad drivers are going to continue to drive out of necessity, no matter what the law says.

How many people here know anyone that considers themselves to be a 'bad driver'? Few to none, I suspect.

I feel like I'm missing your point above but there is no correlation between being an irresponsible and unsafe person operating a motor vehicle and the availability of public transportation.

[Alistair]

Originally Posted by bshell

How many people here know anyone that considers themselves to be a 'bad driver'? Few to none, I suspect.

I feel like I'm missing your point above but there is no correlation between being an irresponsible and unsafe person operating a motor vehicle and the availability of public transportation.

I meant drivers who are bad enough to lose their license. If they can't get to work via alternative transpiration, they're going to keep driving. The US doesn't do a good job at that. And jailing every reckless driver isn't cost effective (and probably a net negative long-term, as those people then lose out of years of potentially productive work/life). But, like I said, it's both - more enforcement AND better transpiration options.

[Sarhog]

Originally Posted by Alistair

I meant drivers who are bad enough to lose their license. If they can't get to work via alternative transpiration, they're going to keep driving. The US doesn't do a good job at that. And jailing every reckless driver isn't cost effective (and probably a net negative long-term, as those people then lose out of years of potentially productive work/life). But, like I said, it's both - more enforcement AND better transpiration options.

Not to sidetrack the conversation, and it doesn’t change any of the dynamics, but in my experience as a cop for many years, most suspended licenses are the result of failure to pay child support, or failure to maintain vehicle insurance. “They” are not necessarily bad drivers.

[dmitrik4]

Bad drivers are going to exist no matter what, so the infrastructure needs to account for that. And yes, there need to be more consequences for striking a person with your car.