One Small Justice...BBC Article

[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