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Death by off road bikers – Teenagers as young as 14 are becoming dangers to society (15 March 2018)

Date: 15/03/2018
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Death by off road bikers – Teenagers as young as 14 are becoming dangers to society

14 year old boy arrested after causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop while riding an illegal scrambler bike. The victim was named as 78 year old Ms Laidlaw, who was crossing the road at the time of the incident.

There has been an increase in the number of prosecutions of teenage criminals who recklessly drive scrambler bikes and cause fatalities due to this irresponsible behaviour. Within North West England alone, more than 100 people were arrested and over 300 scrambler bikes were seized.

Merseyside Police has created the campaign, ‘Operation Brookdale’, leading to the crushing of illegal scramblers found to be ridden illegally by teenagers.

The current law is seen as insufficient as the police are limited in their powers to tackle crimes involving illegal scrambler bikes with many believing there should be stricter guidelines in use due to their dangerous nature and when used inappropriately are more ‘like a weapon’ rather than a form of transportation.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Critchley said that using the bikes in this kind of illegal way is similar to using them like a “knife or gun”, and the consequences can lead to fatal tragedies.

One victim, a 78 year old woman, Ms Laidlaw was killed by a scrambler bike while crossing the road in Liverpool, by a 14 year old boy who had been convicted previously for causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop. The bike was declared as being not roadworthy and failed to have no front or break lights, no speedometer and was being driven with a deflated tire. Additionally, the driver failed to have insurance and admitted to driving the bike without a helmet.

It is perceived that in cases like this the victims’ families are let down by the system, due to inadequate legislation in place, the perpetrators can continue to commit this kind of crime and causes further road traffic accidents.

There have been calls to place further responsibility of the parents of the teenagers when purchasing the bikes as well as granting greater powers to police who, under current legislation, must take ‘extra care’ when pursing these perpetrators to avoid further injuries.

Judge Clement Goldstone QC stated the perpetrator believed he was "part of a group or club who have decided, at the age of 14 that you are above the law".

Neil Sargeant is a Road Traffic specialist within the Duncan Lewis Crime Department, based in Harrow. He has specialised in Road Traffic Law since 2008, establishing close working relationships with some of the country’s leading experts in this field and maintaining an outstanding record of client acquittals. His specialist expertise stretches across all road traffic law, but is most extensive in:

  • Drink Driving (with breath, blood or urine samples);
  • Drug Driving;
  • Failing to provide a specimen for analysis whether this be breath, blood or urine;
  • Being drunk in charge of a vehicle;
  • Any type of road traffic case that involves a procedure conducted at hospital;
  • Dangerous & Careless driving; and
  • Cases involving a fatality.

For specialist advice please call our Neil on 02031141145 or email him on neils@duncanlewis.com.


Duncan Lewis Road Traffic Solicitors

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