1 killed at Mexican bike race

[kat_h]

Gutwrenching! Yikes! I can't help but notice there are no brake lights. WTF? It takes all my energy to send my butterflies to the terribly disturbed individual who must have been driving.
~T~

The article I read said he fell asleep because he was drunk.

It's scary. All of my lights and reflective tape are great when drivers are sober, sane, and smart. What can you do when drivers are drunk or asleep like this guy, deliberate like the Australia crash, or playing with with their gps instead of looking at the road?

[Blueberry]

It's scary. All of my lights and reflective tape are great when drivers are sober, sane, and smart. What can you do when drivers are drunk or asleep like this guy, deliberate like the Australia crash, or playing with with their gps instead of looking at the road?

It's scary. period. He could just as easily have hit a child or another car. Lots of people are killed in cars by drunk drivers too (I know - I'm preaching to the choir, so to speak). At least bikes might have a chance of getting out of the way. Not usually so in a car. We somehow have to change the mentality of drivers - you are operating a deadly weapon. You cannot be drunk, read, put on makeup, watch a movie or tend to your child while doing this. And there should be severe consequences for those who choose to put others' lives at risk by doing so.

CA

[Aggie_Ama]

The local article said this was a fun/family ride not a race. One of the critically injured is reportedly a 14 year old! The driver also admitted to taking cocaine that morning. It is hard to get this image out of my head.

[Duck on Wheels]

According to my local paper here in Norway, two are now dead and several are still listed as in critical condition. As for changing drivers' attitudes ... I think once you're high on cocain and drunk on alcohol, both at the same time, you're not thinking much at all. In fact, you probably weren't thinking much at all before then when you decided to take the cocain and the alcohol. Together. This is a guy who's addicted. What thoughts he has are probably all focused on how to get his next hit. What might have helped in this case is an alco-lock on the car. And maybe also a blood test drug analysis lock, if there were such a thing, where if you don't pass the test the car simply won't start.

[MM_QFC!]

Shuddering here when I see that picture, as it's too close for me currently...just 5 weeks ago, I had the same horrific experience... even though it was 2 of us being hit and thrown in the air by a speeding, distracted (turning around and reaching into the back seat to play with her 2yo nephew!) driver, who already had a wretched record of traffic infractions and criminal cases, showing her disregard for the safety of anyone else on the road.
I agree that driver education and enforcement have to be prioritized. This senseless tragedy didn't have to happen...just heartbreaking.

[Fujichants]

I am so angry and upset. This is disturbing. More of these articles need to be posted (with pictures) so that people can fully see what the consequences are if drivers don't pay attention on the road or decide to take it out on cyclists.