Here is my comment to the Seattle Blog , where the 3rd/4th Death of a Vulnerable Road user in a Suburb was reported today :
" http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2014/03/24/kenmore-19-year-old-killed-while-biking-in-crosswalk/#more-263194
Police throughout the World have reached the point where they ask , "Are you hurt , is there property damage "?
Answer NO ?
" Doesn't matter then " ! They take no notes and show you the door !
Yesterday in Tirol , Austria , just such an occasion :
1045am eastbound on B171 in sunny , dry conditions about 100M inside the 60kph zone , as i was passed by a grey opel 4 door , the wing mirror was folded back by a touch on my body . The driver was so intent on turning into the RHS side street that i had to go around with them , as i beat my closed fist on the passenger window . Wearing a bright green wind jacket with orange parcel on the tri bars , it would be a BLIND driver that was unable to see me !
Having come to a stop , in a way that a person might make a U turn , i went around the front of the opel to speak to the driver . She looked at me , looked to see the road was clear and drove off in the easterly direction . Fortunately she arrived in a traffic queue , so that i was able to catch up and bang the window and indicate to pull over . She ignored this and as the traffic started , she drove away with the following truck banging on his klaxon indicating his impatience .
Local Polizei Officer ( in 50s thus not taught English at school ) unable to speak precise English , did as i requested , called for English Speaking help . Though i only lost half an hour , it would appear that Austria Law will not allow me driver details and since they took no detail , for them the matter is of NO CONSEQUENCE !
THIS driver will continue to behave in a similar manner until she leaves someone for DEAD ! The Polizei will appeal for " Witnesses / the perpetrator THEN , but what can be expected until the Traffic Laws are reviewed ? Polizei handcuffed by regulation is the NIGHTMARE of the Vulnerable !
Are YOU supposed to call an Ambulance , each time you are touched by /or sent flying off the bike with no apparent damage , by a VEHICLE ? Seems to be the ONLY course left in order to get an OFFICIAL record of an event such as these !
At 68yo , i have ridden more than 7000km this year , including the bulk of the " Tirreno-Adriatico ProWorld Road Race . I am not found riding less than 35kph unless uphill , so there is NO EXCUSE for a following Vehicle to claim iam impeding their progress !
As an advocate for " Physically Challenged Sport " i am known in many Sports , i have NO WISH to join their ranks , nor wear a wooden overcoat !
As a matter of course i try to find those that cause me grief on the road ! I follow them into the Client they are delivering/ collecting , follow to their Depot or House . There i explain in plain language the consequences of their thoughtless behaviour , remind them that since they do not see the front of the Cyclist , it could very well be Members of their FAMILY or their Church , then ask them HOW THEY WOULD FEEL ?
Very few take the " Couldn't care less approach " , some Company Management will ask for the Polizei to be called , thinking that this will result in the matter going away . What many Truck Company Executives need to remember is that their Drivers when involved in a Road death , COULD be considered for a "Corporate Manslaughter Charge " ! When a few of these hit the Headlines , it will be TOO LATE for the Cyclist/Pedestrian involved , but perhaps it may result in a rewrite of the Road Codes allowing for STIFFER Penalties !
Recently i remarked on an anomaly in the UK Road Code ! It allowed for those Cretins who leave a Person for DEAD after a " Coward Pass ( hit & run ) , then " hand themselves in " after Sobering Up/ Drug Use disipating , thus being charged with " Leaving the Scene,etc " with a minimal sentence , rather than risking the 14 years for " Death by Dangerous driving ,etc "!
YES it is " Human Nature " to save your neck , but the " Testing Facilities " are there which can detect and extrapolate the usuage many days later ! YES it costs MONEY and locking up ther perp does not bring back the VICTIM !
Do we have to wait until it is the Family of a Prominaent Politician before there is ACTION ?
