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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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A lawyer has made a controversial claim that a grandad knocked down and killed by a speeding driver could have been saved by reflective clothing.
His comments come after one of his clients, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to causing the death of Hyman Steinberg.
The solicitor, said Mr Steinberg, 82, was ‘invisible’ to his client, who had sent a text message from behind the wheel minutes before the collision.
His client, 24, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Steinberg’s death by careless driving – and a court heard he was driving at up to 42mph on a 30mph road.
But the solicitor believes the grandfather could have been saved by a reflective ‘vest, arm bands or belt’ and called on the government to ‘require’ pedestrians to ‘light up’ at night.
Mr Steinberg was walking to Saturday prayers at a synagogue in Salford at the time.
The solicitor said : “At the time of the accident Mr Steinberg was wearing the traditional dress of many orthodox Jewish men, namely black hat, black suit and black overcoat.
“I’m not suggesting everyone must wear a hi-vis jacket, but something reflective that would give them a visible presence, such as a vest, arm bands or belt.
"Pedestrians along with motorists and cyclists all share road space, and in my view therefore must assume some responsibility to ensure their visibility.
“Sadly, because he was ‘invisible’, Mr Steinberg has lost his life.
Mr Steinberg was walking to the synagogue on a dark and rainy December night in 2012.
He had ‘almost got to the pavement’ when he was hit, Manchester Crown Court heard.
The force of the collision ‘lifted him into the air’ and he died from his injuries.
The driver claimed he had not seen Mr Steinberg until it was too late, then applied his brakes and tried to swerve.
He was jailed for eight months, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 300 hours of community service. He was banned from driving for 15 months.
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So ladies and gentlemen, next time you're out on the town on a dark, wet night, don't forget your hi-viz jackets ! |
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