Rob Jefferies, RIP
Driver sentenced (and his remorse at killing acknowledged) - 21Jan12
Last week saw the sentencing of the driver who killed our mate Rob Jefferies. I sat in court with Rob's widow Jane and family members. One of whom has had to work with the lad.
We all knew that little would or could come from the sentencing of this boy. He was 17 when he killed Robert.
It was another part of the whole stupid process we have to deal with. It does not make it better. Worse in fact. It reminds us what little value society places on protecting vulnerable road users. And it was deeply sad and distressing.
We found out a new fact. The young driver had passed his test in February 2011. A few weeks later in April he was done for speeding - 67 miles in a 50 miles zone. We gasped. We did not know this. Four weeks later he ploughed into and killed Rob.
The main witness - a driver in front had been looking frequently in his mirror. He had overtaken Rob and his riding mate just a couple minutes earlier. And before them the young driver who appeared to be talking. But no passenger so maybe singing?
Either way his driving was noticed. We now know he used an ipod for car music - kept below the dash board. Really? Was he reaching down for it when passing the cyclists? Police could not evidence if he had used his phone. Why not?
The main witness could not work out why this young driver was so far over on the left almost on the white edge line. He saw him approach two cyclist abreast. It was a wide road. You can overtake with hardly going into the opposite lane. Clear night He looked again. Where was the second cyclist? He realised what had happened and got his passenger to phone an ambulance as he returned up the road. You know the rest.
So what did he get. As he pleaded guilty to death by careless driving he was already on the lowest tariff. Crazy eh? Yep I killed him. Yep it was careless. Oh the sun got in my eyesŠ Well get some sun glasses use the shade in your carŠsomething as simple as that and you killed a man? Note the maximum tariff is 5 years.
So what was Robs life worth? A great deal to us. Poignantly it was also Eves 13th birthday that day. Her first without her Dad.
So for this 'regrettable incident' he has to do 200 hours community service (about what I volunteer a year to cycling), redo his driving test and be banned form driving for 18 months (backdated to December 16th)
The magistrates of course knew nothing of Rob, his impact on us his family. Few understand just what its like to be a cyclist - the dangers other road users put us in and the stress that creates. How often drivers have near misses with us. All out of our control. And there is really no redress.
The CPS guy who read Janes statement did not know Rob. He did not read out Janes statement well either. But it had an impact. It reminded us so deeply of what Jane, Eve and George had ripped from them.
The traffic policeman suddenly broke down. He has headed this unit for 16 years. Perhaps it was hearing about how Rob used to read to Eve. Perhaps he has a daughter he reads to in a funny voice.
And that's the real tragedy here. It's a life. A real human life. And until we have changes that means drivers can be done for manslaughter we are at risk.
I support campaigns like Brake (to "get reform to charges and penalties for driving offences.. And we need to ensure drivers who kill and maim through bad driving receive punishment appropriate to the suffering they cause".
And British Cycling owe us a campaign - they have the faces for such a campaign. In this Olympic year they should link up with Brake and Road Peace for a major PR hard hitting campaign on giving cyclists space when you overtake. After all if we do get tickets for the Olympics we'll be cycling there.
After suffering severe injuries myself caused by down-right negligent driving and knowing numerous other cyclist who have been maimed and having two friends killed by careless drivers I want it to stop. Now.
http://www.brake.org.uk/
--
Judith 07837 718040
George Holland, Robs stepson writes:
We've all lost a great friend and to me a father. Jumping over the fence at Herne Hill to train for the nationals, watching him lead my idol for a tremendous finale of the Kierin at Good Friday, match sprinting with the only person I've ever seen make Robert look skinny, Michael Hubner, chatting about sprockets with som...eone-or-the other called Chris Hoy, eating donut balls and bratwurst as the cloud of cigar smoke began to circle the track with the frenzied pace of the riders at the Ghent Six, putting the hammer down with Matthew Baker as we held a comfortable 60km/h with full panniers into Zaragoza with the help of the Mistral wind, almost shutting down his own houseparty because the Colquhouns wanted to play Abba, hanging Out The Back with all the cool kids at the Coldharbour Lane Brixton Cycles... You are loved and missed, rest in peace Big Rob Jefferies
25th June 2011 Race Report Results
B Men 10 lap Scratch |
A men 10 lap Scratch |
B men 10 Devil |
Match Sprint (From memory!) |
Womens Kierin |
B Points |
B Omnium |
A Omnium |
Super Madison |
Women 10 lap Scratch |
Women Devil |
A men 10 Devil |
Womens Sprint |
Womens Points |
A Points |
Womens Omnium |
Ron Beckett Double Pursuit |
Super Madison |
