Hate how the BBC always use passive voice for car crashes. No mention that a driver is at fault.

  • cowpowered@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    20
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    News outlets like the BBC try (in my experience most of the time, but not always) to avoid implying something without some evidence or source. The driver was probably at fault, but it could have been a mechanical failure, a panicky swerve to avoid a dog running into the road, etc. Without knowing more they report passively, which I feel is appropriate.

    • Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      9
      ·
      1 year ago

      it could have been a mechanical failure

      So the owner (who is probably the driver)'s fault.

      a panicky swerve to avoid a dog running into the road, etc.

      So the driver’s fault.

      Without knowing more they report passively, which I feel is appropriate.

      But yes, this remains correct even if the driver is at fault, someone must assign that fault, and that’s not BBC’s job. Could passive voice the driver in there too though.

      • FireRetardant@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        On the note of mechanical faults, it is odd that cars are typically safetied when sold/transfered to a new owner and never really required to be inspected again. Regular safety inspections should be a mandatory part of car ownership.

        • donnachaidh@lemmy.dcmrobertson.com
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          It is in the UK. You have to get an annual MOT check, I believe. I’ve also found it odd that that isn’t required where I am either, though.

        • ch00f@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          We had them when I was a kid in Virginia. My shitty Corolla failed because the driver-side door handle didn’t work on the inside.

          They wanted $150 to fix it, so I just tied a rope to the mechanism inside the door. It passed.

          All-told, it’s a great idea and also provides some business for local mechanics.

        • olicvb@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          oh hey everyone! Look at the beautifully crafted reply. Isn’t that just great how this person adds to the conversation in a meaningful way?