Quote Originally Posted by deena View Post
We can't make drivers pay attention, and we can't make drivers follow the law. We CAN push to have laws passed that make it a more serious offense if a driver injures a cyclist through inattentive driveing or failure to yield. We CAN give our law enforcement the law to cite these people when they cause horrible consequences for people trying to ride (or walk) safely.

True, it won't make physical recovery any easier for the victims, but at least we aren't adding insult to injury by ignoring the trauma they have endured.

Do any states (other countries) have laws that address this?
Yes - In Germany, cars must yield to cyclists & pedestrians and cyclists must yield to pedestrians. I don't know what the specific penalties are but if a car sees a pedestrian approaching a crosswalk, they stop like their own life depends on it (and the car backs up quickly if they find themselves blocking even inches of a crosswalk with a pedestrian coming). Cars do pretty much the same if a cyclist is approaching. Everyone is obligated to look out for something smaller and more vulnerable. It's a lot to look out for when you're driving, but everyone takes their reponsibility seriously over there.

Our state's driving handbook states that it's the driver's responsibility to look out for anything smaller, but there aren't many laws or ticketable offenses for not doing so. I think, though, that a better system of bike lanes, wider shoulders, etc., would make it easier for us to ride predictably and out of the direct path of cars. We need the laws and more cyclist-friendly roads.

Deb