The "unfortunate" thing was not that the driver got off with a fine, but that he did it again.... he drove whilst under the influence of alcohol. Obviously the burnt hand did not teach best in his case. But if it had been his child killed or injured, you can bet your life he would have pressed for the maximum penalty.

I never knew what my father thought about the person who killed his son, but I recently attended the funeral of a cousin, about the same age as my brother would have been. His father, my uncle, expressed the opinion that had the other driver not been killed also, my uncle would have gladly committed murder. This driver was not drunk and it was not dark. This driver was sober and he had his family in the car with him, but he still chose to ignore traffic signals and speed limits.

Perhaps regrettably would be a better word. I know it happens. But as far as I'm concerned, it's going to happen to other people, I won't put myself in such a position as to spend the rest of my life regretting.

LTS