One Small Justice...BBC Article

[pinkychique]

This is on the BBC...another reason why cell phones and cars don't mix...


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/7270751.stm

[bmccasland]

There is the small point that the cyclist ran the red light. Us cyclists have to obey the rules of the road too. 'Cause when it comes to physics, we're going to loose.

[bouncybouncy]

I may get harsh words for this but...

I do not see the fact that he ran a red light a "small point" I used to ride with groups that followed the law...and now ride with groups who ignore those red lights/signs. I get so ANGRY!!!! The groups who followed the law seemed to get more respect from drivers...more waves to go ahead at 4-way stops.

How are we supposed to stand up and demand equal rights to the road if we continue to ignore the rules?

How can we expect drivers to respect cyclist as a whole when there are those out there causing (yes causing) accidents?

*** I am NOT saying this driver had every right to be texting, or going 15 miles an hour over the speed limit...but think about it...if they had met at the same spot at the same time in that intersection if she were paying attention and driving the legal limit...would he fair any better??? maybe...maybe not...but he still ran a red light. green means go...

Sympathies all the same to the families...

[Geonz]

I do believe the 'small point' was meant in the 'understatement' way.

The other 'small point' is that the driver had already been convicted of causing death with her driving, and was at the time going 45 in a 30 zone.

In Chicago, a 29-year-old was recently killed as he ran a red light - as had the others in the alleycat race. When will they ever learn?

[rij73]

The other 'small point' is that the driver had already been convicted of causing death with her driving

I think it was for the same incident. She had been convicted earlier, and now she is being sentenced... Doesn't mean she killed two people.

And yes, I agree that it is bad bad bad that the cyclist ran the light. Yes, drivers stink about cyclists, but many cyclists also ride around like they think they are invincible. Considering the biker had run a light, I'm actually surprised the driver is going to jail. I'm not saying she doesn't deserve it... I'm actually not sure about that. Clearly she was wrong to mess with her phone while driving. That would have been a hard jury to serve on.

[bouncybouncy]

I do believe the 'small point' was meant in the 'understatement' way.

DOH!!! You are right! I guess my emotions got ahold of me and blurred that...

I only hope the driver focuses on the fact she should not have been on the phone rather than come out of all this a cyclist-hater!

This is just like the cyclist in Chicago...because he failed to follow the rules people are suffering! The poor families in these incidents...

Yes...this would be an extremely difficult jury to serve on!!! But it only will make me LOUDER when preachin' the ways of safe cycling!!!

[kat_h]

How does anyone even text and drive at the same time? Talking on the phone I can understand (don't agree with, but at least see how it's possible) but I can barely text when I'm standing still and concentrating.

[Geonz]

I *am* impressed that, basically, the courts found it more important that her actions killed somebody and that, therefore, she should be held responsible. I"d want to know the 'light-running' specifics before even passing judgement on the guy. IT's a self-perpetuating culture, though, since vehicular cycling isn't exactly encouraged *unless* it's to make things easier on drivers.
You're right, I think the "had earlier" meant earlier in the judicial process or they'd have made more of a deal of it, I'm sure.

[Grog]

I also am reluctant to condemn the cyclist. When a cyclist dies in an accident against a car, the cyclist's version is never heard because, well, the cyclist is dead.

(This being said, I KNOW that many cyclists run red lights.)

In any case, I don't know about the UK, but here there's a fault that's called "failure to yield." No matter what sort of light you have in front of you, you should yield to any vehicle or pedestrian already engaged in the intersection, whether they have a right to be there or not. It also applies to bicyclists and pedestrians. It's really scary that a person would not looking ahead while driving through an intersection, no matter at what speed. Lots of tragedies would be avoided if drivers realized that they're carrying 1-2 tons of steel around them, and that they have the responsibility to be aware of their surroundings.

[sgtiger]

How does anyone even text and drive at the same time? Talking on the phone I can understand (don't agree with, but at least see how it's possible) but I can barely text when I'm standing still and concentrating.

+1

Whew! I thought I was the only one.

[bmccasland]

Since I wrote the "small point" statement.

Geonz got it right, I meant it as an understatement. Not a "small trifiling item", nor was I trying to place blame on our cycling brother.

We are small and light compared to vehicles - so we cyclists have to be REAL careful on the road, obeying all traffic laws. As one of the guys I ride with (and he bike commutes), you could be in the right, but you could also be *dead right*. Bike vs car - bike ALWAYS looses.

I hope the girl learned that her actions of texting lead to a death, and not that if the cyclist wasn't there, she can drive and text at the same time. It's a CAR people, NOT a phone booth!

There are times I dispise the invention of cell phones. Seems people forget that work, driving, engaging with the people you are actually with, is more important than answering EVERY call, at all times. GAAAAKKK.

Looks like I need some sugar in my morning coffee... must go looking for coffee...

[Trek420]

How does anyone even text and drive at the same time? Talking on the phone I can understand (don't agree with, but at least see how it's possible) but I can barely text when I'm standing still and concentrating.

Texting, shaving, reading the paper, eating ... sometimes all the above at once. But I've seen cyclists on the phone while riding. Maybe not reading the paper while riding but a lot talk on the phone while riding.

So much to be aware of, driving or driving your bike comes first. Your phone has caller id, voice mail, call forwarding to send the call where you are headed .... that's what these features are for.

[kat_h]

Maybe not reading the paper while riding but a lot talk on the phone while riding.

Talking I can imagine, but texting?

[bouncybouncy]

Please understand I am not saying the cyclist was 100% at fault...I DO think the driver was absolutely wrong for not paying attention but I also wanted to make a point that we have to realize OUR consequences as a cyclist when we do not follow the rules.

I just hope all involved see both sides and understand that as a driver we are to DRIVE...and as a cyclist we must follow the rules of the road!

[Trek420]

oh yeah, saw someone doing that on 92 last weekend (entrance to one of the Bay bridges)

We cyclists do stoopid things, drivers do stoopid things but it is a matter of scale and damage. I think it's been said many times that car vs bike, car wins.

I have customers call alllllll the time from a cell. I can't tell you to "pull over turn the car off and write down this order number or info I need to give you" but I wanna