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Accident Analyses: One a Day for May for Bikes
It's easy enough to spout canards and truisms about how to prevent accidents that occur to cyclists and motorbikers. But it is more instructive to review incidents that have actually occurred and determine/discuss what may have caused the event and how a similar event can be prevented in the future.
In this thread, I will present a fatal incident that has occurred to a biker in the USA and has been relayed on the web for each day of May when the event occurred (or was reported), and discuss these issues.
Anyone is free to comment otherwise, or point out additional factors.
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May 1
Motorcyclist Killed In Miami Co_ Crash - News Story - WHIO Dayton.mht
This tragic accident happened to a former police officer very early one morning. The motorcyclist seems to have been going too fast around the curve, and lost control. He was not wearing a crash helmet which might have helped.
Had he been drinking? Possibly, and one would hope that the people at the place he was travelling from would have stopped him from riding while intoxicated if that was the case. -
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May 2 (reported May 3)
Cops Driver Was High in Fatal Miller Place Crash Long Island Press.mht
This tragic accident involved a "high" driver plowing into an unsuspecting cyclist from behind. Too often, people regard driving as more of a right than a privilege, but perhaps it would save a lot more lives if people who have been caught DWI or DUI would have their privilege of driving denied for a time as part of their punishment.
This may have been the driver's first DUI; it led to a death. Imagine how many innocent lives could be saved each year if these irresponsible people would have a strictly enforced ban on their driving privileges. Chances are the driver in this incident is driving around her neighborhood today. -
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May 3
Northwest High School graduate Austin Boley killed in motorcycle ac...
This young Michigan motorist met his end when his motorcycle stalled at an intersection at night. A couple of motorists went around him, but then one failed to do so; apparently all they saw was the green light, not the red light on the back of the bike.
Bikers, when driving at night remember you are even less visible than you are during the day, even with lights on. Drivers, be alert to lights and reflectors on the roadway at night. -
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May 4
Mesa bicyclist remembered as kind, loving.mht
This 45 y.o. bicyclist is alleged to have done a few things a seasoned bicyclist shouldn't. He was crashed into while riding against traffic and rode in front of a vehicle. It sounds as if he was riding at night and did not have a light, nor a helmet. His homeless status probably made him unable to buy either. A bicyclist riding at night w/o a light is fairly common, as some cyclists believe they can see ahead better w/o one. Maybe, but others can't see them. -
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May 5
Henderson Dead bicyclist’s family seeks safety improvements rgj_com...
A 13 y.o. boy got hit in a crosswalk riding his bike to school. The driver that hit him was not charged with anything, no mention of factors that may signify that the boy had done anything wrong. The parents are looking for ways to make that intersection safer. Maybe better lighting, more pedestrian crossing signs, would help out, but not examining the duties of drivers to be cautious around school zones and calling it a senseless tragedy will not. -
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May 6
Search is on for suspect who hit Anthony cyclist - Las Cruces Sun-N...
In Las Cruces, NM, a heinous crime occurred to a safety conscious cyclist riding at night. A vehicle drove onto the shoulder and struck the 51 y.o., and then drove off to leave him to die. The cyclist was equipped with flashing lights and was well off the travelled part of the road, but it was not enough to save him from the waste of flesh who drove over him, and took off from the scene.
All states have laws for motorists to stop at accidents and render aid, and most have severe penalties for not doing so. I hope they find the driver, and punish him to the fullest extent of NM law. -
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May 7
Limit police chases and save lives now Midwest Voices.mht
This May 7 column focuses on the danger of high speed police chases, and the innocent lives of BMPs and others from their aftermath. It focuses on the death of 2 bicyclists killed during local KC police chases; cyclists who are very susceptible to these chases, since their back is to the onrushing vehicles and they have effectively no protection.
The death of the first prompted a change of protocol for getting into high speed chases to limit the amount of them. The second, more recent and occurring at a school with vehicles flying by at 70+ mph, was used as a call to limit them further. No one wants the bad guy to get away, but over 150 deaths of innocent bystanders in high speed chases each year in America is a sobering statistic. -
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May 8
Motorcyclist killed, passenger injured in crash pnj_com Pensacola N...
A frequent theme in motorcycle/bicycle crashes is that they weren't seen. Motorbikes are often tuned to have loud pipes so that they can at least be heard. The biker in this accident was not seen, or heard, and yes, he will not ever speak again. The bike was riding legally in his lane when a pickup driver pulled into their path. As so many of these stories dutifully report, the pickup driver was uninjured. Meanwhile, the biker was killed and the passenger he had with him got thrown into the back of the pickup and was seriously injured.
Its easy enough to change lanes, but always check that it is safe to do so. -
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May 9
Local cyclist killed in truck-bicycle collision near Fayetteville a...
This is the type of story that should send a chill down the spine of any BMP. An experienced rider following the rules of the road is ran down from behind while going around a curve, and the motorist is not even given a civil infraction. The (motorist) friendly troopers claimed it as an accident and explained that the contributing factors of the crash was the curve, the sun/shadows that were in the area at that time, the bike being 4 ft into the road (to avoid a dead snake).
Driver inattention, or driving too fast for conditions apparently doesn't count. The motorist did not have a driver's license-- not at all-- they had a license to kill this poor lady. -
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May 10
Boulder cyclist injured in Hwy_ 141 accident GJSentinel_com.mht
You have to wonder whether the media or the police were trying to make the driver's guilt seem less in this news story. He tried to pass the bicyclist when it was not safe to do so, throwing the young lady bicyclist 50 feet off the roadway when he veered back to save his own skin. The cyclist was very lucky to have survived, and the driver should be found guilty of reckless driving, especially since Colorado has a 3 foot minimal passing distance law. Definitely makes it a stronger prima facie case. -
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May 11
Bicyclist killed in Toms River accident is identified as Manchester...
It is really hard to determine fault in this particular accident, but the bicyclist was dead, hit by a car close to, or just after, dark. The article gives little info as to that, but it is interesting when you read the comments and the assumptions many on both sides make. The learning point for this is that bicycles are very hard to see, especially at twilight or after dusk, with or w/o lights/reflectors. If I ride after dark, I will at least try to have a back flashing light, and drive incredibly defensively, as if no one can see me. I'll still get those blinding high beams come on to see what I might be. -
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