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Bin Lorry Crashes Into Pedestrians - Glasgow


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Old 11-08-2015, 12:43
seacam
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Apart from that being highly offensive to HGV drivers, how would this have helped?

I trust HGV drivers far more than car drivers, they have done far more driver training in order to be able to drive trucks than car drivers have.
And how highly offended do you think the victim's families are?

As I have written several times, such work is so stressful and it is hard work, far more so then standard driving, it takes its toll.

My suggestion has nothing to do with HGV training.
Apart from the fact that would only pick up those whose condition (whatever it is) is triggered by exercise, I don't think the government and its friends in the Road Haulage Association would really want to do anything that would exacerbate the already chronic shortage of LGV drivers that the UK faces.
As I have written, there methinks lays the problem, if such a test was brought in, there are a few HGV drivers whose careers would end over night, dreadful for them and their families but such a tragedy as has occurred would have been prevented.

It's very likely such a test would have weeded out this driver.

As for only picking up conditions triggered by exercise, that would be a start.

As I wrote earlier long distant HGV drivers have to take a break, and show they have, it's blanket regulations, brought in to save live, those of the HGV drivers and public safety and it's worked against large opposition to the move.

There has to be a willingness to act, to help prevent such a tragedy occurring again, a chronic shortage of HGV drivers if such a tread mill test/condition was introduced is better then a chronic shortage of Glasgow citizens.
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Old 11-08-2015, 13:19
francie
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Oh dear, quite a bit of doctor bashing going on today re the Inquiry. https://twitter.com/BBCPhilipSim
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Old 11-08-2015, 13:54
Eater Sundae
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Hey, if we followed your over-reaction and applied it to all drivers it would certainly reduce the number of cars on the road.

Just thunk of the number of people that have condition that could make them ill and the wheel and lose control, like the old fogies who are a menace anyway.
If someone has a known condition which can result in them blacking out without warning, then they shouldn't be allowed a car license, let alone HGV/PSV license
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Old 11-08-2015, 14:37
Eater Sundae
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I think that the concern about the quality of medical examinations is a bit of a red herring.

How many serious crashes are caused by someone collapsing at the wheel, which would have been identified by earlier medical tests? Would these tests have also identified some false positives, of people who might show up as a risk but in fact could carry on driving without any problems. If a medical test is effective at identifying those likely to collapse who do go on to collapse, without identifying too many as at risk of collapse who don't collapse, then maybe it is a good idea. But I don't think there's any point in a knee jerk reaction that costs a lot of money, may put a lot of people out of work, and is unproven as a remedy.

I think that jumping up and down about the medical profession ignores the main point.

If someone knows that they have a history of blacking out, THEY should not drive. It shouldn't need a doctor to do tests to determine that someone may collapse, the driver himself knows (through his own experience) that he is not safe. If this is the case, it is up to him to stop driving, or at least honestly open up to his doctor (in case the doctor is able to offer treatment/cure for the problem). But until the problem is resolved (if it ever is), he should not drive. If such a driver carries on driving, then his behavior is reckless. If found out he should be banned. If he has a crash due to this (known) condition, then he should be punished accordingly. Dangerous driving, or an equivalent.

At the end of the day it is up to the driver to make sure he is safe to drive, it's not up to the medical profession to have to try and catch him.
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Old 11-08-2015, 15:17
CELT1987
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I think that the concern about the quality of medical examinations is a bit of a red herring.

How many serious crashes are caused by someone collapsing at the wheel, which would have been identified by earlier medical tests? Would these tests have also identified some false positives, of people who might show up as a risk but in fact could carry on driving without any problems. If a medical test is effective at identifying those likely to collapse who do go on to collapse, without identifying too many as at risk of collapse who don't collapse, then maybe it is a good idea. But I don't think there's any point in a knee jerk reaction that costs a lot of money, may put a lot of people out of work, and is unproven as a remedy.

I think that jumping up and down about the medical profession ignores the main point.

If someone knows that they have a history of blacking out, THEY should not drive. It shouldn't need a doctor to do tests to determine that someone may collapse, the driver himself knows (through his own experience) that he is not safe. If this is the case, it is up to him to stop driving, or at least honestly open up to his doctor (in case the doctor is able to offer treatment/cure for the problem). But until the problem is resolved (if it ever is), he should not drive. If such a driver carries on driving, then his behavior is reckless. If found out he should be banned. If he has a crash due to this (known) condition, then he should be punished accordingly. Dangerous driving, or an equivalent.

At the end of the day it is up to the driver to make sure he is safe to drive, it's not up to the medical profession to have to try and catch him.
The driver clearly wanted to save his job and wanted to hide his blackouts so he could continue working. In doing this he has ruined the lives of 6 families.
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Old 11-08-2015, 15:29
calamity
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The more I read about this mans lies the more I feel sick.. he should never be allowed to drive again..
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Old 11-08-2015, 16:08
D_Mcd4
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I think that the concern about the quality of medical examinations is a bit of a red herring.

How many serious crashes are caused by someone collapsing at the wheel, which would have been identified by earlier medical tests? Would these tests have also identified some false positives, of people who might show up as a risk but in fact could carry on driving without any problems. If a medical test is effective at identifying those likely to collapse who do go on to collapse, without identifying too many as at risk of collapse who don't collapse, then maybe it is a good idea. But I don't think there's any point in a knee jerk reaction that costs a lot of money, may put a lot of people out of work, and is unproven as a remedy.

I think that jumping up and down about the medical profession ignores the main point.

If someone knows that they have a history of blacking out, THEY should not drive. It shouldn't need a doctor to do tests to determine that someone may collapse, the driver himself knows (through his own experience) that he is not safe. If this is the case, it is up to him to stop driving, or at least honestly open up to his doctor (in case the doctor is able to offer treatment/cure for the problem). But until the problem is resolved (if it ever is), he should not drive. If such a driver carries on driving, then his behavior is reckless. If found out he should be banned. If he has a crash due to this (known) condition, then he should be punished accordingly. Dangerous driving, or an equivalent.

At the end of the day it is up to the driver to make sure he is safe to drive, it's not up to the medical profession to have to try and catch him.
The problem is, other than being scared of creating carnage (which strangely this man doesn't seem to be as he lied yet again to get his HGV licence back just four months after the accident) there isn't any incentive for a dishonest person to report it. The Crown Office has ruled that if a person goes unconscious at the wheel they can't be held responsible for anything that happens and the person walks away to do it again. It seems only the scale of this and the up and coming inquiry meant his HGV licence was removed again.
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Old 11-08-2015, 16:39
QwertyGirl1771
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The more I read this, the more I'm convinced this man should be charged. I just cannot get out of my head about the poor victims who were going about their normal business over Christmas and the next minute they're gone.
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Old 11-08-2015, 16:48
RobinOfLoxley
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We used to deport criminals to Australia for nicking a loaf of bread, a life or death sentence.

I would suggest the driver felt he would be OK, like 99 out of a hundred who shouldn't be driving.
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Old 11-08-2015, 18:26
seacam
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I think that the concern about the quality of medical examinations is a bit of a red herring.

How many serious crashes are caused by someone collapsing at the wheel, which would have been identified by earlier medical tests? Would these tests have also identified some false positives, of people who might show up as a risk but in fact could carry on driving without any problems. If a medical test is effective at identifying those likely to collapse who do go on to collapse, without identifying too many as at risk of collapse who don't collapse, then maybe it is a good idea. But I don't think there's any point in a knee jerk reaction that costs a lot of money, may put a lot of people out of work, and is unproven as a remedy.
The initial cost would have to be borne by the driver.

There are a lot of dead people out of work to.

Usually an effective remedy can only be proved if put to the test.

It doesn't really matter if its a HGV or a car bearing down on you, it going to be serious injury or death, although a 15 ton bin lorry, behind which is a man who suffers blackouts, the results are going to be foregone conclusion.

There will always be false positives in any kind of test but the fact they are noticed/flagged is a good start and can be investigated and this has to be the case with HGV and PSV drivers.

You cannot rely on drivers who rely on driving as a living to be honest, its asking to much.

To be fair to HGV and PSV drivers of those weeded out with such a test many may not even realise they have a potential problem.

They may not like it but most I bet would not want to be responsible for a death and would want to know about health issues, after all these men have families to, even at the expense of their HGV/PSV driving for a living.

Such a test would not be about catching HGV/PSV drivers out but catching them and what other profession but a medical one could do this.
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Old 11-08-2015, 18:50
Evo102
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As I wrote earlier long distant HGV drivers have to take a break, and show they have, it's blanket regulations, brought in to save live, those of the HGV drivers and public safety and it's worked against large opposition to the move.

There has to be a willingness to act, to help prevent such a tragedy occurring again, a chronic shortage of HGV drivers if such a tread mill test/condition was introduced is better then a chronic shortage of Glasgow citizens.
Afraid you're swimming against the tide with those comments.

For instance how long do you think the Working Time Directive will last if there's a vote to leave the EU?
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Old 11-08-2015, 19:18
Addisonian
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The more I read this, the more I'm convinced this man should be charged. I just cannot get out of my head about the poor victims who were going about their normal business over Christmas and the next minute they're gone.
I'm the same. I do still feel really sorry for the driver, after all this was an accident. An accident that could have been prevented had he not have lied about his medical history, however.
He certainly isn't the psychopathic seriel killer that some are making out but I do feel he should be charged.
6 people lost their lives that day as a direct result of Harry Clarke trying to cover up his medical problems. That is just unforgivable.

Incidentally - and I know this doesn't really count for much - I saw a photo of Mr Clarke in the paper today - it was the first proper, good quality photo I'd seen of him since this happened. He really is the picture of poor health.
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Old 11-08-2015, 19:33
Bulletguy1
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The self reporting itself is so delayed it's ridiculous. My OH suffered a depressed skull fracture and had surgery. He was at risk from seizures and black outs and such. We reported it when it happened, and the DVLA took 6 months to tell him he couldn't drive. Of course, he hadn't driven anyway. But the fact it took so long, and he could have been driving, shocked us.
It's perhaps worth considering that 'self reporting' was a major contributory factor in causing the deaths of 150 people by Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz.

Relatives of those killed are now taking legal action against Lufthansa.

Self reporting is a ridiculous loophole wide open for abuse and hopefully will now be closed as a result of the bin lorry accident in Glasgow. There was no such thing as 'self reporting' to the DVLA at one time so it's hardly rocket science to revert back.

Regards your personal experience, the period of which the DVLA revoked your husbands licence will go from the date the DVLA MB were informed of his illness...not when notification arrived at DVLA office. At that point he would (should) also have received written confirmation back of the date at which he could apply to have his licence restored.

The crazy time delays involved will be down to little more than gross understaffing. At one time it was relatively simple to phone the DVLA and speak to an assistant. That's nigh on impossible now.

By the way, even though your husband lost his licence it's not referred to as 'a ban' even though it may feel like it. He hasn't committed any motoring offence! His licence remains intact throughout the period it's revoked and once restored he will simply need to inform any insurance companies that he is "DVLA aware" meaning that they have knowledge of his medical history.
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Old 11-08-2015, 19:34
seacam
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Afraid you're swimming against the tide with those comments.

For instance how long do you think the Working Time Directive will last if there's a vote to leave the EU?
That's a fair point,I think it will last and I don't think we will be leaving the EU.
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Old 11-08-2015, 20:09
Eater Sundae
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The problem is, other than being scared of creating carnage (which strangely this man doesn't seem to be as he lied yet again to get his HGV licence back just four months after the accident) there isn't any incentive for a dishonest person to report it. The Crown Office has ruled that if a person goes unconscious at the wheel they can't be held responsible for anything that happens and the person walks away to do it again. It seems only the scale of this and the up and coming inquiry meant his HGV licence was removed again.
In that case, the Crown Office has made an error, in my opinion. If someone has a one-off event of becoming unconscious, then that is an accident. They are not responsible. They couldn't have known it was going to happen.

However, if they have a history of blacking out without warning, then they know it may happen at any time they are driving. It is irresponsible to drive in those circumstances. Then if it happens, that is no longer an accident. It was foreseeable and preventable.
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Old 11-08-2015, 20:40
Smiley433
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The inquiry heard today that Clarke had been to see his GP over 300 times between 1976 and 2008.

There's no detail for each and every visit, unfortunately, but one reporter has tweeted 'Dr Rutherford says he doesn't think he's "ever seen a patients notes quite like Mr Clarke's", with so much dizziness noted'.
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Old 11-08-2015, 21:30
darkisland
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I still find it difficult to imagine just quite how he felt able to ask for his HGV licence to be reinstated, just four months after his vehicle killed six people.

Stunning callousness and insensitivity to say the very least.
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Old 11-08-2015, 21:37
Addisonian
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Stunning callousness and insensitivity to say the very least.
...and with a complete disregard at putting even more peoples' lives at risk!
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Old 12-08-2015, 07:37
calamity
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...and with a complete disregard at putting even more peoples' lives at risk!
Clarke should be ashamed of his actions since this terrible accident, surely his lawyer advised him otherwise about applying to have his licence back..,not just his driving licence but a heavy good one..the man is shocking on many levels, I feel nothing but contempt.. but I think you all knew that early on..
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Old 12-08-2015, 07:40
calamity
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I'm the same. I do still feel really sorry for the driver, after all this was an accident. An accident that could have been prevented had he not have lied about his medical history, however.
He certainly isn't the psychopathic seriel killer that some are making out but I do feel he should be charged.
6 people lost their lives that day as a direct result of Harry Clarke trying to cover up his medical problems. That is just unforgivable.

Incidentally - and I know this doesn't really count for much - I saw a photo of Mr Clarke in the paper today - it was the first proper, good quality photo I'd seen of him since this happened. He really is the picture of poor health.
Call it what you like , but Ill never feel sorry for this person... he has total disregard for other humans, putting himself always first and still is by asking to drive again.. HOw he could have received lovely messages from the family of the dead and still claimed his innocence is beyond me.. live with his Clarke..if you do have a conscience somewhere..
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Old 12-08-2015, 09:24
RobinOfLoxley
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What grade of Piano Wire do you want to hang him by?

Your obsession is odd.
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Old 12-08-2015, 09:29
seacam
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What grade of Piano Wire do you want to hang him by?

Your obsession is odd.
But he's done that for himself.
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Old 12-08-2015, 09:35
calamity
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What grade of Piano Wire do you want to hang him by?

Your obsession is odd.
Not at all but to heap him with well wishes early on and to say no prosecutions would take place was just silly,maybe if theyd have did this right and looked into his background early on , it would have shown him for what he really is... he was walking away lke some kind of sad hero.... and now we all know . What we have to remember is that six shoppers in Glasgow could still be walking around today if not for him and his lies... He wont do prison. he probably wont even get a fine..but thats not the point... he was seen as the poor victim in all this..when all he seems to be is a callous fool who still wants to drive..
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Old 12-08-2015, 09:36
RobinOfLoxley
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If he turns out to be an evil manipulating person, then fair dos. It will be clarified later.

Don't become part of the Lynch Mob until all the facts are known.
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Old 12-08-2015, 09:53
calamity
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If he turns out to be an evil manipulating person, then fair dos. It will be clarified later.

Don't become part of the Lynch Mob until all the facts are known.
Im not like that Robin... but fairness here is important, I think hes more silly than manipulating to be honest, but silly can be dangerous too,,, especially to ask to drive again and so soon after such a tragedy... I admit I do feel very strongly about this accident.. I think the lawyers making the decision so early on was a terrble decision, when nobody including and more importantly the families of the deceased knew nothing... as far as weve been told...
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