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This year, it seems like there has been more reported pedestrian and bicycle incident than usual. Back in the Spring, three pedestrians were killed in incidents involving a Metro bus or train. Two bicyclists were shot this past weekend and one was killed by a drunk driver. The list could go on. In today's LA County Bicycle Coalition e-mail blast, it announced the beginnings of a campaign to bring California a law to help protect the people who use the modes of transportation:
While there are no easy solutions to these issues, LACBC is working on creating more ways to educate drivers on bicycle awareness and use of the road. We are meeting with the LAPD to discuss LAPD/cyclist relations and bicycle education to ensure that our rights are being considered fairly. We will also address this rise in motorist/cyclist incidents.We would like to see CA adopt a Vulnerable User Law, which protects cyclists, pedestrians, highway workers, skateboarders, and other vulnerable road users and it establishes stricter penalties for anyone who kills or seriously injures a vulnerable user and is convicted of careless driving.
Such a bill is being worked on in New York based on ones that exist alredy in Oregon and Illinois. "The landmark Oregon bill defined a vulnerable roadway user as anyone not in an enclosed vehicle, and it established stricter penalties for anyone who kills or seriously injures a vulnerable user and is convicted of careless driving," explains the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.
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Having walked, biked and driven around LA for 20 years I would like to share my thoughts on the subject. I do not ride bikes or motorcycles any longer after being hit and nearly killed by a motorist who ran a stop sign.It occurred in front or a fire house witnessed by the paramedics who were shocked finding I was alive after responding to the accident.Fortunately I was wearing a helmet and full leathers which saved my life. Mornings are still interesting when I get out of bed as I never know whats going to act up physically a particular day. That said I BEG all walkers and rider to please observe the rules of the road. Two wheeled vehicles are required to adhere to the same laws as cars which I rarely see them do. I live in fear of hitting a pet a pedestrian or a bicyclist. YEs allot of drivers are asses however it REALLY hurts to take it from 2 tons of steel. With all "rights " come implied responsibilities. When was the last time you as a rider or pedestrian ignored a light or stop sign?????
After one of my friends was hit by a car when walking in Pasadena earlier this year, I scoured the news sources for weeks and I never came across any mention of her accident. Fortunately she was not killed, but she was seriously injured and the healing process has been slow. As a non-car owner and regular pedestrians and bicyclist I was rather stunned. It made me realize how many other people are getting hit by cars, but it's just not newsworthy because they didn't die, it didn't involve multiple pedestrians/bikers or a MTA bus or train.
While I agree that pedestrians and bicyclists have responsibility, the people in the ton or multi ton metal boxes flying around up to 70 or 80 mpg on the road have a fair amount of responsibility as well. I can't tell you how many time someone holding and blabbing on the phone, over a year after the ban, have almost hit me. What's sad is that the infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists is also lacking. I've run into areas where the sidewalks are completely blocked when exiting a train station, sidewalks are missing on MAJOR streets, bike lanes simply disappear while riding and countless other hazards. I agree that the laws should be modified, but LA also has a great deal of work in order to give these more vulnerable users a safer and more complete system.
THe pedstrian/cyclist injury rate at the hands of negligent autos is *very* high in L.A. Factor in the back page, if any, media coverage and extremely light penalties.
And well, *YUCK*.
Rich people don't walk, so there you go I guess. If they did, the current malfeasance wouldn't stand.
"We would like to see CA adopt a Vulnerable User Law, which protects cyclists, pedestrians, highway workers, skateboarders, and other vulnerable road users and it establishes stricter penalties for anyone who kills or seriously injures a vulnerable user and is convicted of careless driving."
I would like to see stricter enforcement BEFORE a pedestrian of bicyclist is killed or injured.
How about more agressive ticketing of motorists who don't yield right of way to pedestrians or muscle their way though pedestrians crossing at a crosswalk so they can make a right turn on a red?
And yes M. I too have had close calls with motorists babbling away on their cell phones. I'm glad I'm paying attention to what they are doing because they aren't!
I see no downside to this law.
I too would like to see stricter ticketing of careless drivers AND careless cyclers. I rarely see a bicyclist use turning signals. Or cross intersections properly, for that matter. Or stop at stop signs. Anything to keep more people safe! Though I do realize that, of course, the people surrounded by tons of metal pose the biggest danger to others (while careless pedestrians and cyclists pose the biggest danger to themselves).
I have a friend who was hit by an SUV while crossing with the right of way. The guy flew through a red light on Sunset, and hit her in the crosswalk on the other side of the intersection. Thankfully she only needed a few stitches in her forehead and a reconstructed knee cap. I think that doesn't count as seriously injured? She was out of the hospital the same day (went in for knee surgery a few months later).
I totally agree with increased ticketing (ala: jrb) for crazy drivers (especially profiling nasty hummers and such).
They could "lie in wait" at a busy intersection' like they do when they set up speed traps.
Two Words. "Traffic Cameras".
The budget in this city would benefit greatly from some nice good old fashioned big brother traffic cams with nice hefty fines to go with it.
And to the asshole cyclist who blew through every single red light on Riverside at 8:35am this morning from Pass to Victory. I paced you asshole, on my own bike, all the way and managed to stop at every light. The red light means STOP MOVING!!!^&^&!%#%!!
fucking awesome. the fact is that most hit and run occur because the driver is DRUNK. the penalty for drunk driving accident are far more severe than the *chance* of being caught and convicted for hit and run. I know. I'm currently awaiting justice...
there should also be a system implemented similar to what they have in some european countries for which complaints about drivers can be registered. once a certain number of complaints are registered the owner of the vehicle is interviewed and warned about his/her behaviour on the road.