What price for killing a cyclist?

Cornfed · #1 10-19-2014, 04:08 PM

A very well-written article on the causes, after-effects and legal and emotional ramifications of a fatal cycling accident. A lot to think about here. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/sto...nson/17538179/

oddsaabs · #2 10-19-2014, 04:55 PM

Thanks for posting. Sobering stuff.

The quote that sticks with me: "This 'I didn't see him on the road' is not an excuse. It's a confession."

bikinchris · #3 10-19-2014, 07:15 PM

They don't seem to get much for killing each other.

makoti · #4 10-19-2014, 08:27 PM

I'm not sure this is true: "What befell Gosch and Gray was the most common form of car-bike crash: a rear-end collision or "motorist overtaking bicyclist.""
I always heard that we are most likely to get t-boned (some turning incident, either us or the car), but from behind was the most lethal.

bikinchris · #5 10-19-2014, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makoti

I'm not sure this is true: "What befell Gosch and Gray was the most common form of car-bike crash: a rear-end collision or "motorist overtaking bicyclist.""
I always heard that we are most likely to get t-boned (some turning incident, either us or the car), but from behind was the most lethal.

The rear end collision is far more likely at night. Ten times more likely. The other rear end collision that is likely is at the top of a hill. With the advent of texting and smart phones, the rear end collision is becoming more common on straight roads in daylight. But honestly, I would still worry about collision at intersections more mostly because they are much more likely. The right hook, left cross and drive outs from side streets and driveways are still more common.
For the time being.
The League did a study and found (not surprisingly) that most deadly crashes were from behind. But that doesn't make the more likely, just more notable.

shovelhd · #6 10-19-2014, 08:41 PM

If lawmakers want to understand the root cause of this issue, just read the comments. There's a serious disconnect.

ultraman6970 · #7 10-19-2014, 09:00 PM

The biggest problem in crashes like this is that you never know the whole picture. Half of the people I've seen riding in the street or even in the local trail are a menace for a driver. My driver side say... "give them the room and always let the slower and lighter vehicle the preference".

Sad that everything was reduced to money but court systems are like that, fines and fees for the infractions. Dont want to defend anybody but there is a chance the fat dude really did not see them due to glare. No idea what habits the riders had neither the type of clothing they were using, white, dark color and sometimes even fluorescent colors you can't see them clearly from far away while driving, add that glare and a rider that is wobbling all over the place and you are calling a disaster.

My wife always asks me why I always pick old team jerseys with a lot of colors and brands all over the place... my answer always is... "because I want people to see me from far away"... she thought I was being cocky... "no, If they see me they won't ran over me with their cars".

bicycletricycle · #8 10-19-2014, 09:07 PM

I say eye for an eye

BumbleBeeDave · #9 10-19-2014, 09:08 PM

. . . to people who are equally clueless until I explain it to them. As far as I;m concerned, the more outrageous the costume the better. I don't care if they're laughing at me as long as they don't hit me.

BBD

onekgguy · #10 10-20-2014, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultraman6970

The biggest problem in crashes like this is that you never know the whole picture. Half of the people I've seen riding in the street or even in the local trail are a menace for a driver. My driver side say... "give them the room and always let the slower and lighter vehicle the preference".

Sad that everything was reduced to money but court systems are like that, fines and fees for the infractions. Dont want to defend anybody but there is a chance the fat dude really did not see them due to glare. No idea what habits the riders had neither the type of clothing they were using, white, dark color and sometimes even fluorescent colors you can't see them clearly from far away while driving, add that glare and a rider that is wobbling all over the place and you are calling a disaster.

My wife always asks me why I always pick old team jerseys with a lot of colors and brands all over the place... my answer always is... "because I want people to see me from far away"... she thought I was being cocky... "no, If they see me they won't ran over me with their cars".

What glare? The sun was at their backs on a straight road with no hills. Like the surviving cyclist said, there couldn't have been more ideal conditions out there.

As one commenter wondered...would the same fine have been levied had the driver hit another vehicle and caused a death?

Kevin g

Jgrooms · #11 10-20-2014, 08:03 AM

If by some strange factors a cyclist even injures a motorist the hue & cry will tax the bandwidth...

malcolm · #12 10-20-2014, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makoti

I'm not sure this is true: "What befell Gosch and Gray was the most common form of car-bike crash: a rear-end collision or "motorist overtaking bicyclist.""
I always heard that we are most likely to get t-boned (some turning incident, either us or the car), but from behind was the most lethal.

For motorcyclists by far the most common fatality is the left turn in front of you. Car doesn't see the oncoming motorcycle and turns across traffic motorcycle strikes car.

Bicyclist I'm not sure. I've not seen the statistics but most car-bicycle fatalities I hear about seem to be a car drifting over to the right and either striking the cyclist on the edge of the travel lane, shoulder or path and most seem to be from behind. I suppose because cars and bikes travel in the same direction. The very nature of the incidents suggest driver inattention, texting, dialing or somehow involving the phone or some other task being performed when they should be driving the car.

Saint Vitus · #13 10-20-2014, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shovelhd

If lawmakers want to understand the root cause of this issue, just read the comments. There's a serious disconnect.

If I may, I think we can extrapolate that out for almost all of society's ills. Disconnection, bias, hatred etc have found a new outlet, that of the 'Comments' section of any site. Sad state of affairs to be sure, but a good percent of it is down to the beloved troll.

makoti · #14 10-20-2014, 08:55 AM

Found this. Talks about three places & what types of accidents happened most often.
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/TaleOfThree.htm

ultraman6970 · #15 10-20-2014, 10:13 AM

Only if drivers could respect the lighter vehicle, or figure it out that let the bike guy to pass 1st in a intersection using your car to protect him (stop the traffic behind you) will save his life...

Did not read the part of the glare... fat dude screwed up then, lawyer is paid to get the guy off jail, win for the lawyer but from what I felt from the article the driver is really touched by the accident. Hope this changed his life from now on.