We have been know to, on occasion, lightly mock the USA, however, this particular story, although amusing and leaning towards the ridiculous, most definitely carries some merit.

It begins with a woman who was caught on video by a mobile phone user when she decided she was in far too much of a hurry to hang around behind a school bus which had stopped, so she drove along the sidewalk (pavement). Now, a judge, after viewing the footage has handed down a ruling that she must wear a sign which says ‘idiot’ at the intersection.

The rather stilly Shena Hardin, who is 32 and from Cleveland pleaded guilty to the offense of not stopping and doing a reckless maneuver. The judge at the Cleveland Municipal Court then ordered her driver’s licence to be suspended for 30 days and slapped a 250 dollar fine on top. However, as part of the sentence Hardin was ordered to wear a sign that says, ‘Only an idiot would drive on the sidewalk to avoid the school bus,’ for an hour a day over two days at the intersection where she committed the offense.

Incredibly, it is alleged that Hardin had performed this maneuver several times in the past, but on this occasion a bus driver was ready and managed to record the dangerous driving on a mobile phone.

The ruling by the judge has left the community and public as a whole divided on the social networks, with some saying it was a good idea, whilst others are saying that the punishment is too degrading and humiliating for a road traffic offense.  We wouldn’t dare to pass judgement (nice one judge!).

As a footnote, we have just heard the Hardin has started her punishment!

 

world, news, USA, America