Just wondered how many LGV drivers have taken out some kind of insurance policy in the event of losing licence due to medical problems. This seems to be why this driver lied through his teeth as I suspect he knew he would be ending his career if he owned up.
Not sure how common it is. Understandable I suppose if you know you will lose job/income/etc…
He’s refusing to answer questions to save his own worthless skin. What a sorry excuse for a human being he is. He’s giving us all a bad name.
^^^I suspect the insurance would be void and thereby worthless once they found out his medicals
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There are loads of conditions which can result in termination of employment on medical grounds without actually being serious enough to mean loss of licence.Which like critical illness cover makes those types of policies worthless.Whereas decent income protection cover will cover all of the possibilities.
The question in this case being why didn’t his prevous employer’s Company doctor and his GP automatically inform the DVLA of his medical history of blackouts.Bearing mind that there is no DVLA rule which says that blackouts only mean loss of licence if they happen while actually driving. 
switchlogic:
He’s refusing to answer questions to save his own worthless skin.
Previous to the private prosecution I could have agreed with you, now it’s a matter of the process of law.
Sheriff Beckett then told the inquiry that if a private prosecution relied on evidence of Mr Clarke’s medical history then he could not be asked about it while giving evidence.
Stanley Knife:
switchlogic:
He’s refusing to answer questions to save his own worthless skin.Previous to the private prosecution I could have agreed with you, now it’s a matter of the process of law.
Sheriff Beckett then told the inquiry that if a private prosecution relied on evidence of Mr Clarke’s medical history then he could not be asked about it while giving evidence.
He could choose to be a bigger man and actually answer the questions, no law says he can’t, just that by doing so he’ll incriminate himself. So like I say, selfishly and desperately trying to save his own skin. He’s a scumbag. Nothing more nothing less. But he’s spent a lifetime lying so I suppose it comes naturally to him
Lying cheating so called Proffesional Drivers sicken me and unfortunatly are nothing new, they show no remorse for killing incident people and destroy the lives of the families involved.
“Prosecutors said Palmer had not had enough rest periods between shifts at work and had falsified rest records.
As a result, the cyclists were “mown down”, they said.
Palmer had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to seven and a half years for each count, to be served concurrently.
Palmer had also admitted a charge of dangerous driving in relation to a crash on the A30 at Whiddon Down near Okehampton, Devon, which happened in September 2013, 11 weeks after the fatal collision.
The court heard he had been on bail while police were investigating the cyclists’ deaths at the time of the second crash.”
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-28983049
Relevant as it’s within recent history. The incident might have been 2013 but the sentencing was in the last twelve months.
Tell ye as each day goes by it gets worse and worse. " I can only answer, what I can answer" if he said that and I was one eh those family’s in court I wouldn’t be able to control myself! No sorry, no regret shown, no answers. He should give answers, yeah what he says might incriminate him but so what he deserves prison and he should know that. The pressure he is under for answers and he hasn’t buckled at all tells me all I need to know he is a selfish stone hearted bastart who only cares about himself.
I’m not surprised he’s not talking, his brief wouldn’t be doing his job if he let him answer truthfully. The upside, if there is one, is that come the time of the private prosecution he won’t have that option, and will hopefully get what he deserves.
Why was the private prosecution decision announced/made so early. Surely they should have known the effect it would have on the FAI. Would have made more sense to get this inquest out of the way first.
I’m no legal expert but I would think that, if there was a possibility of a civil case being brought, it would have to be announced prior to evidence being given by the accused. The law in this country always looks after the accused
BillyHunt:
I’m no legal expert but I would think that, if there was a possibility of a civil case being brought, it would have to be announced prior to evidence being given by the accused. The law in this country always looks after the accused
There is no “accused” in a Fatal Accident Inquiry (or, in England & Wales, a Coroner’s Inquest). There is also no “accused” in a civil case.
The guy is an idiot for doing what he did, but maybe the pressure of earning a living made him lie about his health. I’m sure if he knew what he was doing would kill people he would’ve handed his license in years ago.
Everyone makes mistakes, unfortunately some people make mistakes that cost lives.
Feel sorry for him, and the families of those killed.
supermatt:
The guy is an idiot for doing what he did, but maybe the pressure of earning a living made him lie about his health. I’m sure if he knew what he was doing would kill people he would’ve handed his license in years ago.Everyone makes mistakes, unfortunately some people make mistakes that cost lives.
Since the incident he had requested to get his licence back ,which he had managed ,but it has now being taken back off him in the last week,so I honestly don’t think he would have given up driving if he knew what lay ahead in this tragic incident
supermatt:
I’m sure if he knew what he was doing would kill people he would’ve handed his license in years ago.
He had been suffering blackouts for decades, once while driving a bus full of passengers. He knew fine well what he was doing was dangerous and could end up killing people. He got lucky then that it happened at a bus stop while he was stationery but instead of handing his license in,he kept on driving. The fact that that didnt make him think “hmmm maybe I shouldnt apply to drive a 26 ton lorry” shows him for the selfish prick that he is. And the fact he asked for his license back in april,a mere 4 months later, knowing FULL WELL what had caused the incident shows how little he cares.
He was in the daily rag up here giving it “oh I wish I could supply answers to help those poor families” yet when he DOES get a chance to supply answers he refuses to answer.
Roymondo:
BillyHunt:
I’m no legal expert but I would think that, if there was a possibility of a civil case being brought, it would have to be announced prior to evidence being given by the accused. The law in this country always looks after the accusedThere is no “accused” in a Fatal Accident Inquiry (or, in England & Wales, a Coroner’s Inquest). There is also no “accused” in a civil case.
Proving that I’m no legal expert. It just seemed easier than putting, that driver who killed those innocent pedestrians.
supermatt:
The guy is an idiot for doing what he did, but maybe the pressure of earning a living made him lie about his health. I’m sure if he knew what he was doing would kill people he would’ve handed his license in years ago.Everyone makes mistakes, unfortunately some people make mistakes that cost lives.
You’d like to think so but it came out yesterday the scumbag actively tried to get his licence back after the crash. He has no shame, no remorse and no feeling for those who have lost. A horrible piece of work. I find it hard to comprehend how someone could be so heartless
I think it comes easily to some Luke.