UK - US Diplomat's wife leaves UK after killing Harry Dunn, age 19, Northampton, Sept 2019 *suspended sentence*

[Coconutty]

I’ve been to the base and yes they drive on the left.

 

[musicaljoke]

If they were ordered back by their employer you are correct that it backfired since it painted her in a bad light. Diplomats have enjoyed immunity from prosecution for decades in nearly every country. It's a pretty broad brush unfortunately leaving those harmed unable to get their justice.

Yeah, this practice of diplomatic immunity needs to end.

 

[Catmommy]

Yeah, this practice of diplomatic immunity needs to end.

No one should be above the law EVER especially if their actions harm or kill someone.

 

[Rikissa]

Yeah, this practice of diplomatic immunity needs to end.

No one should be above the law EVER especially if their actions harm or kill someone.

I have to answer "yes and no" about ending diplomatic immunity. There are instances where it covers too much, not just as in this case, but for example not being culpable for minor things like parking tickets and driving violations.
On the other hand, not all countries in the world are democracies, with an independent legal system. There are countries where the government arrests people on false accusations, and if diplomats didn't have diplomatic immunity, that could mean that they could be arrested on false accusations, and be kept as hostage against their government.
Here's what happened to a Swedish diplomat in Iran. I don't think he was travelling on a diplomatic passport to Iran, but if there were no diplomatic immunity, instances like this would be much more common.

Detention of Johan Floderus - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[musicaljoke]

I have to answer "yes and no" about ending diplomatic immunity. There are instances where it covers too much, not just as in this case, but for example not being culpable for minor things like parking tickets and driving violations.
On the other hand, not all countries in the world are democracies, with an independent legal system. There are countries where the government arrests people on false accusations, and if diplomats didn't have diplomatic immunity, that could mean that they could be arrested on false accusations, and be kept as hostage against their government.
Here's what happened to a Swedish diplomat in Iran. I don't think he was travelling on a diplomatic passport to Iran, but if there were no diplomatic immunity, instances like this would be much more common.

Detention of Johan Floderus - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I realise that it is a long-standing tradition that has some merit, especially during times of tension, and at one time was necessary, especially when foreign diplomats were not able to learn the laws of the land that they were visiting. However, ignorance of local laws not an excuse anymore because diplomats can receive training for their work in a foreign nation. With all the travel that happens these days, a government should be able to send a diplomat who can be familiar with the culture.

I think that foreign diplomats should be culpable for parking and driving violations, particularly when it is a common law throughout the nations. No-one gets to park in front of a fire hydrant just because they are a foreign diplomat. They can't claim ignorance because it is a law in their own country as well. If they can't figure out the laws, then they need to hire someone to help navigate daily activities until they know the rules. False accusations are quite another thing, but I expect that countries, in which false allegations are a political stunt to imprison diplomats, don't respect diplomatic immunity anyway. jmo ymmv

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1834557127551074702

 

[Charlot123]

I'm in agreement. I would think that anyone who has many, many years driving on the right under their belt, can and do make a conscious effort to remind themselves every time they turn at an intersection, or on into a parking lot, stay left, stay left, etc. However, that mantra probably goes right out the window when presented with something out of the ordinary, like a near miss or a collision and you revert to your old ways. That being said, the fact that she left him there is the issue that is so grievous that should warrant more than a suspended sentence. Perhaps being banned to ever step foot in the UK again.

Today I spoke with a driver who spent several years in the UK. The advice he got from the locals was very good: stay in the middle lane, then it is easier to copy the drivers’ movements and you learn faster.

We did a different thing in NZ. We merely drove from Auckland to Wellington via the main road, and there were only sheeps around. So by the end, we trained. Wellington’s traffic was OK. But of course, we’d never start within Auckland, it has a busy traffic.

 

[Charlot123]

I have to answer "yes and no" about ending diplomatic immunity. There are instances where it covers too much, not just as in this case, but for example not being culpable for minor things like parking tickets and driving violations.
On the other hand, not all countries in the world are democracies, with an independent legal system. There are countries where the government arrests people on false accusations, and if diplomats didn't have diplomatic immunity, that could mean that they could be arrested on false accusations, and be kept as hostage against their government.
Here's what happened to a Swedish diplomat in Iran. I don't think he was travelling on a diplomatic passport to Iran, but if there were no diplomatic immunity, instances like this would be much more common.

Detention of Johan Floderus - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I see your point, but I also think that Dunn’s family has the right to lodge a civil lawsuit against Sacoolas.

In one of her witness statements, Sacoolas said she 'instinctively moved to the right side of the road' and was not aware she was on the wrong side of the road 'until after the collision'.
BBM

Anne Sacoolas STILL shirks responsibility for killing Harry Dunn

The US government employee described herself as a 'safe driver' in comments made during a voluntary police interview following the death, which have now been revealed in court.

www.dailymail.co.uk

When we drove in Ireland, we were constantly reminding ourselves out loud to “stay left, stay left.” Responsible American drivers do whatever is necessary to override the instinct to move to the right, especially after making a turn.

JMO

I think it was near-sighted to remind that she was an American. “When in Britain, drive like the Brits do”, to avoid being danger to others - and yourself.

 

[Rikissa]

I see your point, but I also think that Dunn’s family has the right to lodge a civil lawsuit against Sacoolas.

I agree with you that Harry Dunn's family has the right to lodge a civil lawsuit against Sacoolas. The issue with diplomatic immunity in this case is "did Anne Sacoolas have a job such that she should be eligible to diplomatic immunity in the host country according to what is considered to be international rules regarding diplomatic inmunity". I don't think her job qualified, as she seems to have been there as a spy, and not in any kind of diplomatic position. That the US thinks that members of their spy network should have diplomatic immunity in countries that are their allies is a problem for the US government, not something that should affect those who work in the diplomatic services.