Seacost Century=FAIL

[Crankin]

OK, she was arrested at around 5:30 PM.
She was drunk. And only 19 years old. Charged with 2 counts of manslaughter and 2 counts of aggravated assault.
The reason she was not arrested at the first stop is because in NH driving without a license is a violation, but not a criminal act.

[SheFly]

She wasn't drunk, or if she was, they aren't saying so - "Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams declined to comment on where she was coming from, whether she had been texting at the time, or whether drugs or alcohol are considered to be factors in the crash." From the Seacoast Sentinel.

She has been arrested and charged with two counts of two counts of negligent homicide as well as two counts of second-degree assault.

Ridebikeme - what you heard is true - she had been stopped approx. 8 hour earlier for a speeding violation (59 mph in a 30 mph zone) in the same spot, and cited. She was not allowed, as an unlicensed driver, at that time to drive the vehicle and had to wait for a friend to drive the car. Driving without a license in NH is a violation, as Crankin says, but not criminal meaning she couldn't be arrested.

So sad all around. I've heard and read way too many stories in the past two days about cyclists being killed by inattentive drivers. Stay safe out there, my friends.

SheFly

[Crankin]

I wonder why I distinctly heard the reporter say "alchohol was involved." I think people are saying what they "think." There's been a lot of conjecture here, but I'm very glad the arrest was made.
The whole thing (my own stupid crash included) has just confirmed my growing dislike of large group events. I thought this would be OK because of the rolling start, but I don't need anything more to make me anxious when riding. Of course, the fatal incident could have happened with just one cyclist riding, and has nothing to do with my opinion here... it just makes me feel more cautious. Just about the only time I can take riding in a group is when I am leading/sweeping and I feel more in control.
I am going on a ride this afternoon, with one of my "slower" friends, so it's not like this is stopping me from getting out there. But, it's a good way for my first ride after the crash. And, Saturday, I am going on a group ride. One I led last year, but I am just going as a participant this year. The leader is someone I know and trust, as well as most of the riders... I will either stay in the front (most likely, given this group), or the back.

[ridebikeme]

Thanks for the update everyone! I still think that somehow we start some sort of action, cases like these are popping up all the time now... some are cyclists who somehow did something to initiate the accident, but others... well I don't need to say anything more. Anyone have any ideas?

[SheFly]

Thanks for the update everyone! I still think that somehow we start some sort of action, cases like these are popping up all the time now... some are cyclists who somehow did something to initiate the accident, but others... well I don't need to say anything more. Anyone have any ideas?

I'm thinking that it's time for the car/phone manufacturers to come up with a way to disable the phones while a vehicle is moving. Ten years ago (ok, maybe 15), NONE of us ever talked on the phone in our cars, and we managed just fine.

SheFly

[OakLeaf]

But phone use is a symptom, not a cause, of people not feeling they need to take any responsibility while they're behind the wheel. As I've said many times before, running has been a revelation to me, because I get to face traffic and watch what drivers do, and most of the 20% or so who target fixate on me are NOT on their phones.

As much as I was uncomfortable with MADD's tactics at the time, they were plainly effective in changing the culture around drunk driving. I think a similar effort is what's called for here. Court-packing, prosecutor-harassing, letter-writing, the whole business, and for victims of ALL negligent drivers, not just the ones who happened to be extra vulnerable before the driver hit them. And making vehicular homicide a strict liability offense just like every other traffic offense.

[ridebikeme]

I agree with both of you, somehow with the technology that we have it seems that the GPS either in your vehicle or phone should be able to shut itself off once inside the vehicle... perhaps with some sort of emergency button. BUT, although I certainly don't want to be pessimistic, I'm not sure that is going to happen.(although I certainly hope that I am wrong!)

I've been thinking about this whole situation for a very long time, and although someone else may have a better/more effective idea... I think cyclists somehow have to band with a larger group to have our concerns actually heard... that is the reason for my idea of banding with the motorcycle industry. I'd definitely be interested in other peoples ideas, as we all know something definitely needs to happen QUICKLY!

[GLC1968]

I don't think legislation is the answer. Here in Oregon, it is illegal to operate your car and your mobile device at the same time, and yet I see people doing it ALL THE TIME. Hell, I even had one women try to capture video of me on her phone while I was riding as she was driving (through the passenger window as she pulled up beside me!!). She was yelling something at me about there being no shoulder or something and my thought was that she was hoping to go to the police and have me arrested (ignorant of both the phone/car law and the cycling laws...obviously). In the 5 years we owned the farm, there were 4 major accidents (some with bad injuries) at our intersection due to texting or phone calls....and that was out in the country!

Anyway, the phone companies are not oblivious to this. Have you seen the documentary out about texting and driving? It's not cycling specific, but it's interesting because it was initiated/sponsored by AT&T:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/..._the_next.html