"Gateshead Rabbi killed by speeding driver 'could have been saved by reflective clothing' claims controversial lawyer"
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor ... ed-7214253
A lawyer has controversially claimed that a Gateshead granddad killed by a speeding driver should have been wearing reflective clothing. Nick Freeman’s comments come after his client, Simon Martins pleaded guilty to causing the death of 82-year-old Rabbi Hyman Steinberg. Martins, 24, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Steinberg’s death by careless driving. A court in Manchester heard he was driving at up to 42mph on a 30mph road.
But Mr Freeman, who made his name defending celebrities from driving charges, claimed the grandfather could have been saved by a reflective ‘vest, arm bands or belt’. And he called on the government to introduce laws to ‘force’ pedestrians to ‘light up’ at night.
Mr Steinberg, who grew up in Gateshead, was walking to Saturday prayers at a synagogue in Salford, Manchester when he was mown down in December 2012.
Mr Freeman 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-viz 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.”
Quite, quite bizzare and mindbogglingly insensitive.