Stephen Boyd
Calamity Joan 😷A boy cycling.
A man cycling.
A girl walking.
All killed by drivers.
All in the past 24 hours in Ireland.
https://www.thejournal.ie/boy-dies-road-traffic-collision-cork-6144963-Aug2023/
"Some forms of violence are more newsworthy than others."
"In a period of six days from 15-20 August, five cyclists and pedestrians were killed after being struck by drivers."
A man in his 80s walking in Thurles. An eight-year-old boy, cycling with his father, in Carrigaline. A man cycling in Clare. A 14-year-old girl walking in Limerick. A e-scooter rider in Dundalk.
https://www.jcfj.ie/2023/08/24/choose-your-weapon-cars-or-fists/
#MastoDaoine #Roads #RoadSafety #BikeTooter #StreetsAreForPeople
Choose Your Weapon: Cars or Fists? - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland
Causing the death of a pedestrian or cyclist will continue to be treated as manslaughter but the statutory response to careless and dangerous driving resulting in serious injury is not served by meagre fines for motorists who do not even have a driving ban imposed. Lifetime driving disqualifications must be on the table of sanctions as a driver who has caused injury has visibly demonstrated an inability to safely operate a motor vehicle
Simon Flett@clickhere A woman was killed by a car driver last Sunday riding her bicycle at the junction of Albemarle Road and Newmarket Road, Norwich. Poor woman - my heart weeps for her, and her people. My wife cycles to work at the college on the next junction. I was 'teased' on arrival at my own office this week for overkill on my protective-gear (hi-vis jacket & helmet). I replied sourly i want something between me & the tarmac if i get knocked-off. It could have been either of us.
@RejoinEU That's absolutely awful, I'm so sorry to hear this. And it does add to the shock when it's near you or on your route.
I remember wryly telling previous work mates that the body camera I wore was only good for evidence, not prevention. A collision and nine months of injury/illness leave later, and separate people said to me, incredulously: "But you're always lit up like a Christmas tree." Other than lights and reflective gear, I just don't bother with any of that any more.
Fluffgar 🏴 HAS MOVED@clickhere Geezo! That's awful. Almost one a day!
Cycling numbers rising rapidly here too (Scotland). There are some places with good bike lanes but I can't fault anyone for riding (slowly) on the pedestrian pavement. The roads seem crazy right now. Was it always that way? Haven't had the courage to go cycling in years, and was always nervous of traffic.
@fluffgar It's really hard to say - I know that, anecdotally, people here in Ireland too have commented a lot about how drivers seem much more aggressive and dangerous on the roads since lockdown restrictions have been lifted.
Sherra@clickhere I had a horsebox driving lesson this week; the repeated instruction about how to use my mirrors was underlined with reminders that I could prevent injury and deaths of pedestrians and cyclists. Everyone should have mandatory top up lessons with my instructor. This is just heartbreaking and 100% preventable.
@RasherMurphy Trailers and similar terrify me, every time, when I'm on my bike.
For the exact reason that a musician whose band Glass Animals was touring in Dublin a few years ago, and who was cycling along the Quays one day, ended up in hospital requiring multiple surgeries for leg and skull/brain injuries.
@clickhere I was coming back with the pony today - I have to pull to the side on a country road to get out and open the yard gate. There was a white van tailgating us and I knew he couldn't see the 5-6 cyclists oncoming ahead - stuck my hand out the window to stop him before he could roar around me and straight into them. When you're pulling a trailer you have to mind yourself and everyone else as well! Consequences too dire otherwise.
@RasherMurphy Absolutely - yours is the kind of awareness so many drivers lack. And thank you for being so considerate of those people cycling - there have been so many awful instances of just that kind of terrible head-on collision, with catastrophic consequences.
@clickhere I have this fantasy where all drivers get the Rules of the Road ported straight into their brains, like Neo in the Matrix. Then they'd get that cyclists, motorbikes, animals, etc. all have an equal right to use the roadways and there are rules for managing it all. I'm always respectful of cyclists and their space. I really don't get the aggression - they have every right to be where they are. *announcer voice* IT'S THE LAW.
@clickhere I had a driving teacher in high school who told us it doesn't matter who's right, but that our job as drivers is to be sure everyone is safe and accidents are avoided.
@RasherMurphy Give that teacher a medal! ❤️ 🎖️
@RasherMurphy Oh gosh, imagine!
I do think, though, that it should be a requirement for a car driving licence to have to complete a month of cycling-as-transport and/or horse riding on the roads. And professional drivers (buses, trucks, vans, etc.) should additionally be made to do this:
Mexico: Company Puts Bus Drivers On Bicycles To Demonstrate Risks For Cyclists Riding Past Them
@clickhere Oh yes!!