Is it ok to kill a cyclist?

[seven]

I was cycling on Botha ave from Centurion towards Fountains yesterday.

 

Lots of cyclists use it over weekends as it has a BIG FAT emergency lane.

 

I came across 2 bunches riding 3 abreast, with the left-most cyclist on the yellow line, and the other 2 taking up most of the 1st lane. All 3 of them could easily fit into the emergency lane...

[Moriarty]

The whole point of having laws is to regulate society so that there are CONSEQUENCES from acting in ways which are detrimental to the society. On this basis, it is criminal that accidents where cyclists are killed are not followed up and investigated with the same vigour as any other fatal accident. All other factors around cyclist behaviour etc. etc. are simply irrelevant.

[seven]

The whole point of having laws is to regulate society so that there are CONSEQUENCES from acting in ways which are detrimental to the society. On this basis, it is criminal that accidents where cyclists are killed are not followed up and investigated with the same vigour as any other fatal accident. All other factors around cyclist behaviour etc. etc. are simply irrelevant.

 

I totally agree with you, but it does not condone this “I rule the road” attitude that everyone (pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, taxi drivers, etc...) has in SA. No one gives a **** about the other.

[Pappa Bear]

.......only in self defence.

[openmind]

Very interesting article on Nytimes today how when a vehicle collides with a cyclist that results in the cyclists death the driver almost never gets charged with anything other than minor infractions, article is based on American experiences but the exact same thing happens here. It's almost as if your life is automatically devalued when you step onto a bike.

 

Make a very good point - When two cars crash, everybody agrees that one of the two drivers may well be to blame; cops consider it their job to gather evidence toward that determination. But when a car hits a bike, it’s like there’s a collective cultural impulse to say, “Oh, well, accidents happen.”

 

Article here:

http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all

 

Unfortunately the article is almost completely undermined by the last half of the last sentence - nothing will change if cyclists ride in their basements out of fear. To the author: get on the road, follow your own advice and make a difference!

[batmobile]

unless you drive a left-hand drive car you are just as guilty by using your cellphone while driving.

 

Yes I'll admit that I am guilty for taking the pic while driving and I'd be willing to pay the fine, but do you think these two would be equally willing to pay a fine if they were to be stopped? Next time remember to mount the GoPro on the dash to make sure I don't break the law.....I doubt much will change in the image taken of these two.