Sharing a story from Scotland, I decided to let you all know, it is global. The attitude towards those who have lost a loved one is terrible. Since 2004, I have been told to 'drop it', why? Because people feel every Crash is an 'Accident' they feel sorry for the person who caused it - of course they are always innocent in the eyes of people who cling to the word 'Accident'.
My mum came through to visit me one day, I was living a good 30min drive from her, she was coming to help me pick up a cot. The snow made her feel uncomfortable to drive, so my step father drove her which meant my brother had to come along of course. We all had a great day, had a meal and then my step dad took me to pick up the cot. I felt really tired by the time we got home, asked my mum if I could wait to show her the cot built until next time she was through.
Come just after midnight I had been told by a hospital doctor that she was dead. My step dad and brother were injured.
The police assured me they 'had him' as they had been after him for a long time - he had drugs in the car. Turned out he had came out from a field to the left hand side of the car, straight into the passenger side.
The criminal court case came and the jury decided the case was 'not proven' which is an aquittal. He had entered a plea of epilepsy. The Civil case came and he was found guilty, his doctor said there was no chance he had ever had epilepsy.
This man had, had two prior crashes, where he maintained he "blacked out", he killed my mother, yet he still holds a license, and still walks free.
I still do not know what happened that night, for the first few years I battled with the 'What If's'. What if I had built the cot to show her, what if I had not gave her a second hug at the door, so many what ifs. The truth of it all is, it was nothing I done, or my step dad done, it was that one driver.
I have spoken to MP's, MSP's, Procurator Fiscals, and even the Justice Secretary sent me a letter. A death on the road apparently is not a 'Serious Crime'.
There is no justice, the victims of dangerous driving will always be looked down upon until the global attitude changes and the word accident is let go.
Karen.
PS - That you for writting 'It's No Accident' It was a great read, and very comfortaing in the way I found out I was far from alone.
