Braddon hit and run

As a correction to my previous comment, pedestrians are only allowed to walk on the road if there’s no footpath/nature strip or it’s not practical to walk on the footpath/nature strip.

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

This was not jaywalking. Jaywalking is regarding crossing the road – a pedestrian must cross the road by the shortest safe route, mustn’t cross against the lights, and musn’t cross within 20m of a crossing except at the crossing.

It is actually perfectly permitted for pedestrians to walk along the road, unless there’s a “no pedestrians” sign (these are common on motorways, for example – I’m sure most of us can recall seeing a “No pedestrians, bicycles or animals permitted” sign at some point).

After watching the video there are 2 people standin on the opposite side of the street from those struck. The video finishes approx 5seconds after the incident, however these people are still standing there.

Did they not react at all ??

Weatherman said :

Deckard said :

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

So the guy drove past them once, wasn’t sure if he saw them or not so turned the car around for a closer look?

I know that area quite well. Often, vehicles will backtrack along if they think they are going the wrong way along Henty Street because it backtracks all the way along Lowanna to Ijong Street. It’s very easy to get lost there if you don’t know where you’re going.

Also, it’s a bit odd that people are going to great lengths to excuse jaywalking. There are footpaths there. The reason I mention visibility is because it is dawn. Your eyes are adapting to the increasing light during twilight.

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

…which means its OK to drive off after hitting someone? Oh, OK, cancel the search for the driver then…

I don’t know how you came to that conclusion. I certainly wouldn’t condone driving off after the incident. The driver should have stopped if he was aware of what happened. I think there should be leniency when jaywalking is involved, as the pedestrians did not take due care themselves either.

They are walking beside the cars that a parked there, They wheren’t walking all over the damn street and wheren’t in the way of incoming traffic the driver swervered into them to hit them. Personally I would be walking where they did if I was on that street. The driver looks like he accelerated when he went to hit these poor people, so I think he was well aware of what he was doing

Aesyrian said :

There is no excusing the drivers actions, although there is a very good reason why people should use footpaths where available and should NEVER walk with their backs to traffic, it’s called risk mitigation,

It’s also called common sense.

And yes – it looks like a pretty clear case of attempted murder to me.

There is no excusing the drivers actions, although there is a very good reason why people should use footpaths where available and should NEVER walk with their backs to traffic, it’s called risk mitigation, pretty sure it’s mentioned in the ACT Road Rules Handbook, but I don’t think people ever read it.

I hope the incident is an accident and not malicious and hitting and running is more common than people realise (how many times do vehicles get damaged form people backing into them and just leaving, still legally a hit and run incident), as natural liars people would rather avoid getting in trouble than be an honest and upstanding individual.

Anyone who drives knows there are always small moments when drivers are distracted by a number of things, and as much as people say they are good drivers, if you are a commuter in Canberra you know they most people have pretty poor road awareness, it’s increasingly common for people to brake then indicate they are turning, technically an indicator is used to indicate a drivers intention, and should be performed around 5 seconds before turning or changing lanes to allow other road users the opportunity to react, but hey I never see it, one reason I’d never ride a bicycle on the road here.

Deckard said :

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

So the guy drove past them once, wasn’t sure if he saw them or not so turned the car around for a closer look?

I know that area quite well. Often, vehicles will backtrack along if they think they are going the wrong way along Henty Street because it backtracks all the way along Lowanna to Ijong Street. It’s very easy to get lost there if you don’t know where you’re going.

Also, it’s a bit odd that people are going to great lengths to excuse jaywalking. There are footpaths there. The reason I mention visibility is because it is dawn. Your eyes are adapting to the increasing light during twilight.

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

…which means its OK to drive off after hitting someone? Oh, OK, cancel the search for the driver then…

I don’t know how you came to that conclusion. I certainly wouldn’t condone driving off after the incident. The driver should have stopped if he was aware of what happened. I think there should be leniency when jaywalking is involved, as the pedestrians did not take due care themselves either.

TheDancingDjinn said :

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

I am trying to find a link to the CCTV footage – would you mind posting where you saw it?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-10/police-hunt-for-hit-and-run-vehicle/4510610?section=act

Judging by the Crimes video the ute had its driving lights on and appeared to be travelling at around 40kmh so speed and visibility wasn’t a factor.Unless the POS driving was totally off his face and therefore potentially oblivious to what occurred,however unlikely,then it was premeditated and i repeat he should be charged with attempted murder.

Footpath ahead of where they were hit is closed due to building work. There is a path, but you would not think so without knowing. Reasonable to step on to the roadway if you think it’s the only way through.

Also, happened right under a streetlight. Visibility was good.

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

…which means its OK to drive off after hitting someone? Oh, OK, cancel the search for the driver then…

Mike Crowther said :

Got to wonder if the offender is one of those many, many disqualified drivers currently on ‘strict’ bail or one of Higgins J, over-used suspended sentences. Most run are either because the driver is pissed, Un-licenced or on their ‘very last, final, no-fair-dinkum-I mean-it-this-time chance from the court.

Well, apart from the fact that the driver went past and then drove around and only then hit them, I’m sure you are entirely correct that it was a drunk driver mistakenly veering across the road while honouring Higgins CJ

And given it was 0530, ‘jaywalking’ is a bit harsh. Maybe walking in well (or better) lit pathway than walking down the usually very dark footpaths

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

That could not be any more incorrect. The two teens were not jaywalking across the street, instead just walking down the side of the road as they were heading home. As I assume you have read the article fully you should be aware that the driver of said ute drove past once and came back a second time, to which he then struck the two boys. Secondly, the visibility at that time was not as poor as you have made it out to be, on the footage you can clearly see streetlights lit up a majority of the road and pathway, not to mention the ute had its driving lights on.

In any case if it was an accident by the driver why would he have not swerved at all upon realising there was two people on the side of the road instead of just plowing straight into them. I know of both victims and I pray for the one in the serious condition and his family. His injuries are immense and had to be flown to Sydney for specialist treatment.

Next time don’t sound so callous and cold about such a devastating event. It could have happened to anybody and if it was someone close to you I doubt you would react the way you have done currently

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

So the guy drove past them once, wasn’t sure if he saw them or not so turned the car around for a closer look?

Weatherman said :

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

I am trying to find a link to the CCTV footage – would you mind posting where you saw it?

In the CCTV footage, it looks like the victims were jaywalking during a time when driving visibility is low.

Got to wonder if the offender is one of those many, many disqualified drivers currently on ‘strict’ bail or one of Higgins J, over-used suspended sentences. Most run are either because the driver is pissed, Un-licenced or on their ‘very last, final, no-fair-dinkum-I mean-it-this-time chance from the court.

Spineless dog of a driver. I hope they what’s coming to them.

So apparently the Triton drove past once and then returned a short time later and struck the two men? The plot thickens and if proven that it was deliberate then the driver should be charged with attempted murder as opposed to hit and run.

Hang on, did I read that right – they were walking along the road?

I hope the two boys are OK.

Very sad.