What is wrong with drivers round the world?!!!!

[crazycanuck]

I'm really getting tired of reading stories about cyclists round the globe being killed by folks in 4 wheeled contraptions that think they own the freakin road.. No wonder i'd rather be on a mountain bike doing all my training soley on singletrack !

NZ ladies.. keep safe.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10603758

Here in Australia, a no brainer on a stupid (no i don't watch it!) tv show hasn't helped anyone on two wheels. http://www.theage.com.au/national/ma...ml?autostart=1

[Maxxxie]

This happens all over the world The latest in Aus. They don't even know who this poor guy was.

Near my regular bike path, a cyclist was struck and killed by a hit and run. Months later, they still don't have any leads. The road in question is a route used by garbage truck drivers. I've been run off the road by one of these truck drivers. They just don't care. Might makes right, and we're the ones who end up paying. It's infuriating, and I feel so disempowered by it. To think that my life could be ended by some twerp who's looking to shave a couple seconds off his trip.

Max

[Tri Girl]

That's so terribly sad.

And I don't know about the rest of the world, but it seems that in the US, if you kill a cyclist or a pedestrian- there's really no recourse. Just a slap on the wrist and a finger wagging to not do it again. Most of the time it's called an accident and not what it really is: manslaughter/murder. Usually no charges are filed (unless that person is drunk and actually sticks around to be caught by police- which is rare).

I told my DH just the other night that if I'm killed by a driver, that he better do everything in his power to get that person (or future people who do it) to pay for their crime. With all the texting while driving and talking on phones, and other distractions- I know the odds are against us all. But that still won't stop me...

[Maxxxie]

It's made worse by the fact that the courts just don't get it. I can't find the link just now, so I'll write out my recollections of a recent case:

A cyclist was riding to work in the early morning. Low light conditions. He was wearing a high vis vest and one or more blinkies on the back. From memory he also had a rear reflector. For reasons unknown to me, he did not have a front light on. He was struck from behind by a vehicle (the driver of which did actually stick around). He suffered significant back and neck injuries. The driver was prosecuted by the local plod. You'd think this would be a victory, but you'd be wrong.

The judge in the case ruled that since the cyclist did not have a front light on his bike, his bike was therefore illegal and he was at fault. That he was struck from behind was completely lost on this dimwit. The local plod, as I understand it, are appealing the judge's decision. I saw something recently in the local news suggesting the case is being reviewed.

The judge's decision in this case flies in the face of common sense. I'm sure this is not the only example of the judiciary just plain getting it wrong. Meanwhile, a cyclist who was seriously injured now has a huge dose of anger, cynicism and sense of injustice thrown in for good measure.


Max

[Tri Girl]

wow, Maxxxie, that's unbelievable. Ok, fine. Your bike didn't have a front light (yes, that's illegal here too), so write the cyclist a ticket but don't hold him responsible for being hit from BEHIND when he was clearly visible from the rear. Idiotic!

[7rider]

The judge in the case ruled that since the cyclist did not have a front light on his bike, his bike was therefore illegal and he was at fault. That he was struck from behind was completely lost on this dimwit.

The State of Maryland is a "contributory negligence" state - so if even 1% of the responsiblity is pinned on the plaintiff (i.e. dead or injured cyclist or pedestrian), the striking motorist isn't responsible.

[Tri Girl]

The State of Maryland is a "contributory negligence" state - so if even 1% of the responsiblity is pinned on the plaintiff (i.e. dead or injured cyclist or pedestrian), the striking motorist isn't responsible.

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of.
So let me get this straight: if I don't have a rear reflector (required by law- at least here) but 30 blinking lights and I get hit from behind and killed by a driver- they are not responsible in any way. Wow- your state makes me angry (well, that one law anyway). I know Maryland is a wonderful state... that's just ridiculous.

[shootingstar]

Part of the central problem is still the reckless driver who did harm, if s/he is charged something less than jail time, that doesn't physically stop the person from still driving even though the local law and fine imposed clearly indicated person is forbidden.

ie. drunk drivers who have hurt someone/property. I met a woman who was incensed that her father who was an alcholic, did have his license suspended SEVERAL times, yet he just merely got into the car and still drove. The authorities didn't take away his license.

Physically taking the driver's license away would be lst (though minor) step..since some people use it for local photo I.D. when they are doing whatever within their own country. But jail time for several years would be better.

Wonder how the restrictions of cell phone use while car driving in some jurisdictions is effective. Probably too soon for a track record of case law.

The tough part also is be willing to spend money to have a lawyer represent you if you were wrongfully injured/killed by a driver. Many bad things happend but litigation doesn't occur because this next step could become seriously expensive.