Warning, a little gory. LA Dr. uses road rage vs. Cyclists

[SheFly]

I just heard about this yesterday from my DH. Unfortunately, the context in which he was telling me about it was eerily similar...

He and two riding pals went out yesterday morning and were riding along a road in single file. A car was behind them, with another driver behind that car. The first car swung a bit wide and stopped to take a left hand turn. The trailing driver decided to pass on the right, where the cyclists were, missing them by only 6 inches or so.

Angered, DH shouted at the driver, who then did the same thing - pulled in front and slammed on the brakes. DH and his friends were able to stop, but barely. In their minds, this drive had just intentionally tried to kill them - TWICE!

Unfortunately, DH has a bit of a temper in situations like this. He chased down the driver who was stopped in traffic, kicked his car and reached through his open window and grabbed him by his shirt. He recognizes now that this was wrong (and dangerous), but said he wasn't thinking clearly given the adrenaline from the close calls.

I am just grateful that all worked out well, and that I am not visiting him in hospital today, or worse. Drivrs need to realize that as inconvenienced as they may feel, using their 3000+ lb vehicles against a biker is a losing proposition.

Ride safe out there everyone. And keep the anger in check too.

SheFly

[ny biker]

The trial has begun in this case. velonews.com is following it:

http://www.velonews.com/article/99398#

http://www.velonews.com/article/9947...-la-road-rage#

[MM_QFC!]

http://www.velonews.com/article/9980...n-la-road-rage

Glad to see that a jury found him guilty on all counts; at least this sends a strong message to all the other psycho drivers out there while also getting him off the road and headed for some jail time.

[redrhodie]

Good. That guy is a menace.

[staceysue]

This is so scary. This particular case is really awful, and we've had people on here who were hit by cars. Last week I had two people, in two different locations, deliberately run me off the road.

Shefly, I sympathize with your husband's temper. When the second person ran me off the road (after honking and glaring), I caught up with him at a stoplight and banged on his window until he got out of the car and had it out with him right there at a 4-way stop on a busy road. I'm ashamed of my behavior, but Jeez! Do they think we're wearing armor or something? Don't they know how easy it is to seriously injure or kill a person with a vehicle?

I'm scared to ride in traffic anymoe.

[ginny]

I used to ride my horse up Mandeville cnyn and the cars weren't even very nice to horses! Man, people in LA are just... horrible! I am SO glad to have left that place behind. No amount of money could lure me back

[redrhodie]

Sentenced today--5 Years!

http://www.fresnobee.com/state/story/1774035.html

[salsabike]

Ah...good outcome.