I don’t know if I have it in me to be as forgiving as Alriza Reid, a cyclist who was knocked over in Llandudno in September. In what many cyclists are calling an outrage, the man who knocked her over, then road over her and then drove off is getting off pretty much scott free.

Raymond Evans was driving his BMW when he knocked her over, injuring her.

In court, Evans “pleaded guilty to charges of reckless driving, failing to immediately stop his vehicle after the accident and failing to help an injured person”.

The Wynberg Magistrate’s Court gave him his sentence on Monday: 12 months in jail wholly suspended for five years, three months driver’s licence suspension and a R10 000 donation to the Chaeli Campaign, an NGO working with disabled children, which was chosen by Reid. Evans also apologised.

Speaking after the sentencing, Reid seemed happy that everything was over, even though she now has to work half days, has not cycled since September, and still has many months of rehabilitation to get through.

I am quite relieved that I did not have to testify in court, but I am also happy with the plea bargain. I didn’t necessarily want to send a message. I wanted justice and I feel that he is paying for it in a just way.

Members of the cycling community are calling the sentencing “appallingly insufficient”, arguing that “motorists needed to get the message that you serve an effective jail term if they knock over a cyclist”.

Yeah, OK, but then you need to stick to the rules of the road also and learn to navigate a circle properly.

Fair is fair.

[Source: Times Live]