3 dead in head-on collision. Driver "swerved" to miss cyclist.
05-02-19, 07:14 PM
#26
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05-03-19, 01:37 AM
#27
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Just watching drivers, and maintaing a sharp eye for potential problems... shoot the same damn skills you use when you run lights (or used to...)
Motorists are somewhat predictable, if you watch them. But you really have to keep your situational awareness up... Joey, you freakin know this, this is exactly how you find gaps, by really watching what drivers are doing. Now take that same skillset and try to not be a part of the problem*, but work to avoid bad situations.
*yes, I am implying that by running lights as you did, you were "part of the problem," which is true... you became "unpredictable." But leave that aside for a past discussion.
Bottom line, it isn't psychic abilities, it's just real active driving/cycling, and paying attention.
BTW, I enjoy "just riding along" as much as the next guy... I only do that on isolated paths. (I also do it swimming... but that is a whole other event)
05-03-19, 07:32 AM
#28
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We have no idea where the bicycle was, but we do know that the car crossed a double yellow line, which is clearly illegal under NC law. Bikes are by law permitted to use the entire lane in NC, but "usually" should be on the right.
05-03-19, 08:01 AM
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05-03-19, 09:00 AM
#30
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Yes and no. Motorists were, in my observations, much more predictable before cell phones. Take it from a guy who waits for nothing on a bicycle. 10 years ago splitting lanes between slow moving cars/trucks certainly took unyielding concentration but at least the vast majority of motorists stayed in pretty tight and dependable formation. Now!!! Good God. They are not only crossing the dividing lines but bumping into each other at low speeds front to rear. I started seeing, and capturing on video, these "tiny" bumps that did little to no harm to a car bumper. But when the unpredictability became predictable....then I had to seriously rethink my behavior. The environment has changed. I had to evolve or live with greater risk.
Traffic laws make some of us feel like there is some order in the universe. In fact, our commutes and recreational rides are made up of a long series of totally random events. That motorist who steam rolls me got a phone call at exactly the wrong time for ME. If I had not been there to kill, that event would have likely gone completely unnoticed. Russian Roulette is not even a good comparison because depending on how many bullets are in the cylinder a player can calculate EXACTLY what the odds of surviving with every spin.
What every traffic cyclist needs to come to grips with is the fact that events in this new and changing environment does have a basic order to it when looked at from outer space, but a close-up on-the-tarmac view reveals a long string of tightly grouped random events with no way to calculate your odds of surviving each one. The only control we as cyclists really have are the choices WE MAKE - when, how, and where we ride. The rest is just a lottery we hope we never "win".
Traffic laws make some of us feel like there is some order in the universe. In fact, our commutes and recreational rides are made up of a long series of totally random events. That motorist who steam rolls me got a phone call at exactly the wrong time for ME. If I had not been there to kill, that event would have likely gone completely unnoticed. Russian Roulette is not even a good comparison because depending on how many bullets are in the cylinder a player can calculate EXACTLY what the odds of surviving with every spin.
What every traffic cyclist needs to come to grips with is the fact that events in this new and changing environment does have a basic order to it when looked at from outer space, but a close-up on-the-tarmac view reveals a long string of tightly grouped random events with no way to calculate your odds of surviving each one. The only control we as cyclists really have are the choices WE MAKE - when, how, and where we ride. The rest is just a lottery we hope we never "win".
Last edited by JoeyBike; 05-03-19 at 10:15 AM.
05-03-19, 09:17 AM
#31
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If someone is surprised when they see you on the shoulder, they will often swerve as well. It's a natural instinct. This person caused all this death because they weren't paying attention. Could have been anything in the road.
05-03-19, 02:33 PM
#32
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Here's the text. I added the underscore.
G.S.§ 20-150. Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing.
(e)The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another on any portion of the highway which is marked by signs, markers or markings placed by the Department of Transportation stating or clearly indicating that passing should not be attempted. The prohibition in this section shall not apply when the overtaking and passing is done in accordance with all of the following:
(1)The slower moving vehicle to be passed is a bicycle or a moped.
(2)The slower moving vehicle is proceeding in the same direction as the faster moving vehicle.
(3)The driver of the faster moving vehicle either (i) provides a minimum of four feet between the faster moving vehicle and the slower moving vehicle or (ii) completely enters the left lane of the highway.
(4)The operator of the slower moving vehicle is not (i) making a left turn or (ii) signaling in accordance with G.S.20-154 that he or she intends to make a left turn.
(5)The driver of the faster moving vehicle complies with all other applicable requirements set forth in this section
(e)The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another on any portion of the highway which is marked by signs, markers or markings placed by the Department of Transportation stating or clearly indicating that passing should not be attempted. The prohibition in this section shall not apply when the overtaking and passing is done in accordance with all of the following:
(1)The slower moving vehicle to be passed is a bicycle or a moped.
(2)The slower moving vehicle is proceeding in the same direction as the faster moving vehicle.
(3)The driver of the faster moving vehicle either (i) provides a minimum of four feet between the faster moving vehicle and the slower moving vehicle or (ii) completely enters the left lane of the highway.
(4)The operator of the slower moving vehicle is not (i) making a left turn or (ii) signaling in accordance with G.S.20-154 that he or she intends to make a left turn.
(5)The driver of the faster moving vehicle complies with all other applicable requirements set forth in this section
05-03-19, 03:45 PM
#33
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You know what most of the laws miss...
Perhaps keeping the speed a little bit under 90 MPH.
05-07-19, 03:35 PM
#34
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Typical 'me first' attitude on the part of the driver. Don't forget, 'having to be there yesterday'.
05-18-19, 05:15 PM
#35
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It sounds to me as though the cyclist was in the automobile's lane. What is a motorist to do in that instance? Drive the next ten miles at ten miles per hour? of course, he has to eventually "swerve" out into the passing lane to get past the idiot riding his bike in the middle of the road. I'd hate to be this cyclist, because if this is what happened, he is totally to blame. Stay to the right, stay single file.
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05-20-19, 10:22 AM
#37
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The motorists were the victims. Don't force people into unsafe situations. Stay to the right.
05-20-19, 12:12 PM
#39
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05-22-19, 10:00 AM
#40
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It sounds to me as though the cyclist was in the automobile's lane. What is a motorist to do in that instance? Drive the next ten miles at ten miles per hour? of course, he has to eventually "swerve" out into the passing lane to get past the idiot riding his bike in the middle of the road. I'd hate to be this cyclist, because if this is what happened, he is totally to blame. Stay to the right, stay single file.
He has to slow down until he can safely go into the other lane. You have no idea where the bicyclist was or why, and NC law allows the bike to operate on the right side of the road. Generally, I ride as far as possible to the right, but there are plenty of roads where that isn't very far to the right because of cracked pavement and/or debris.
Regardless, the article indicates that the driver "overcorrected", which would indicate he didn't need to go so far into the opposite lane as he did, so you have absolutely no basis to assume that the bicyclist wasn't way over to the right. I have had cars swerve like this unreasonably when there was plenty of room for them to pass me and stay to the right of the yellow line, and I was exactly where you say I should have been, The cars in both directions both had to slam brakes and barely missed a head on. I'm sure at least one of them probably blamed me, but seeing as no accident had actually occurred, I didn't hang around to find out.
And if you have to follow a slow moving vehicle at ten mph because you can't pass, that's life. Have you never gotten stuck behind a construction vehicle or a funeral?
