5 cyclists struck by hit-&-run driver

[bmccasland]

Do the police know the cause of the accident, beside driver stupidity?


Thread drift...
I'm one of those for outlawing use of cell phones while driving, including hands free. You should be DRIVING. I find it interesting one of the biggest lobby groups fighting ban are cell phone companies. Until they rig my car to have a totaly hands free cell phone where I just talk to the air, I'm going to have to look at something to use the dang thing, which means I'm not looking at the road.

Drifting back....
I hope the cyclists recover, the idiot driver has the book thrown at him, and his assests are sufficient to cover all their costs - medical and bikes.

[Geonz]

Do the police know the cause of the accident, beside driver stupidity?


Thread drift...
I'm one of those for outlawing use of cell phones while driving, including hands free. You should be DRIVING. I find it interesting one of the biggest lobby groups fighting ban are cell phone companies. Until they rig my car to have a totaly hands free cell phone where I just talk to the air, I'm going to have to look at something to use the dang thing, which means I'm not looking at the road.

Drifting back....
I hope the cyclists recover, the idiot driver has the book thrown at him, and his assests are sufficient to cover all their costs - medical and bikes.

Driven to Distraction
Drivers and Legislators Dismiss Cellphone Risks
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/te...racted.html?em

Driven to Distraction
U.S. Withheld Data on Risks of Distracted Driving
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/te...racted.html?em

[polaris]

I've posted a link to this incident on another thread. The local paper reported that the driver supposedly frequently worked overtime. Perhaps he fell asleep at the wheel. Or he was phoning/texting wifey that he was almost home. He can't use the *the sun was in my eyes* excuse as he was heading west. How in the **** he could plow into five cyclists, and they think he dragged a couple of bikes for a distance, not to mention the flying bikes/bodies, and continue on home! What really burns me is that he'll probably get off with a slap on the wrist.

[Geonz]

Yup. What burns me, as well, is that the driver's license is taken as a right adn even a need -- a fundamental requirement for living.
This means anybody trying to get along without one ... welp, what's wrong with us???
It also means that nobody wants to deprive anybody -- for whatever reason -- of their license to drive or their car. (People with disdain for the law who'd cause injuries with their cars are rather likely not to care whether they're driving with a license or not, so I'd just as soon the car got impounded, too.)
Thus, we're not expected to have to control our cars. It's "oh, accidents happen. It's all very sad, but it can't be helped."
I am sorry, if it' can't be helped, then you shouldn't be driving. We should have alternatives- driving is a very challenging task! - but killing somebody shouldn't be met with the same regret as letting the hair clog the drain.

[shootingstar]

I've posted a link to this incident on another thread. The local paper reported that the driver supposedly frequently worked overtime. Perhaps he fell asleep at the wheel. Or he was phoning/texting wifey that he was almost home. He can't use the *the sun was in my eyes* excuse as he was heading west. How in the **** he could plow into five cyclists, and they think he dragged a couple of bikes for a distance, not to mention the flying bikes/bodies, and continue on home! What really burns me is that he'll probably get off with a slap on the wrist.

It's a constant missing gap/flaw in our law.. It would require active group from cycling community to lobby for legislative change, with support of lawyers specialized in personal injury...and knowledge of cycling itself. There are lawyers that do specifically advertise their legal expertise and do write articles for the cycling community to explain the limits of law. This is the level of expertise that is required to start concrete change in law and attitudes.

Probably a good example how cyclists and pedestrians are marginalized ..in the eyes of the law.