That sucks. The article says the driver was dustracted, but it was not phone related. She must have been pretty distracted to plow through 7 cyclists.
The article says they are not looking at this as a criminal act.
Please correct your title. “Car” does not do anything: a woman hit them with her car. Words matter, a lot, especially when it comes to drivers vs. person on bike/foot. Enough victim blaming going around by the police/media.
Unfortunately, unless she was drunk/high she will likely not be charged.
Killing with a car is quite legal in most US states, especially in Florida and Arizona that have the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the nation.
Condolences to the friends and family of those involved.
Can you or somebody elaborate on it being “legal”? Does that mean that this is only a civil case? And theres zero jail time served for killing 1 person ?
Typically, unless the driver also commits another traffic violation (leaving the scene, driving under the influence, speeding, reckless driving, running a red light), there are no charges. A driver with a valid license who stays on the scene, acts concerned etc, using words like “I didn’t see them”, “the sun was in my eyes”, “they just ran out/swerved in front of me” will get away with it 99% of the time even if it was their fault for failing to yield.
So far in 2018, over 40 walking/biking persons have died on Tucson roads at the hands of drivers, 70% were the drivers fault for failing to yield, others were legal kills of pedestrians not in cross walks (according the drivers, the only witness asked). Thus far, 1 driver has been charged (was drunk and driving the wrong way on a 1 way road).
Someone had a website where they were collecting details on all cases from all of the US. Similar statistics.
I think it sucks, but I would also say I don’t think it’s unique. People die in regular car hitting car accidents every single day, and if it’s deemed an “accident” (opps I didn’t see the car, glare got in my eyes), they hardly ever receive jail time. Only when it’s someone doing something really stupid- drunk driving, speeding 100 in a 55, on your phone and caused a 8 car pile up is there really ever “jail time” as part of the sentence. ETA: However, I would say being distracted and not seeing a group of cyclists- you better be charged with something, that to me isn’t an “oops” I didnt see the 1 person. A mass of 7 cyclists is really really hard not to see. You really must have been distracted in order to hit them.
It’s unfortunate that when we are hit by cars it’s usually much more intense and or fatal than not while there are thousands of car v car wrecks a day in the U.S. and likely only small majority are fatal. I’ve been hit twice by drivers. Once was hit and run, other was “i didn’t see him”, and that one she wasn’t charged and that nearly killed me. She was given fault and the insurance back then took care of it with no BS issues (i dread it happening in 2018 w/ the way insurance companies fight every detail).
I think it sucks, but I would also say I don’t think it’s unique. People die in regular car hitting car accidents every single day, and if it’s deemed an “accident” (opps I didn’t see the car, glare got in my eyes), they hardly ever receive jail time. Only when it’s someone doing something really stupid- drunk driving, speeding 100 in a 55, on your phone and caused a 8 car pile up is there really ever “jail time” as part of the sentence. ETA: However, I would say being distracted and not seeing a group of cyclists- you better be charged with something, that to me isn’t an “oops” I didnt see the 1 person. A mass of 7 cyclists is really really hard not to see. You really must have been distracted in order to hit them.
It’s unfortunate that when we are hit by cars it’s usually much more intense and or fatal than not while there are thousands of car v car wrecks a day in the U.S. and likely only small majority are fatal. I’ve been hit twice by drivers. Once was hit and run, other was “i didn’t see him”, and that one she wasn’t charged and that nearly killed me. She was given fault and the insurance back then took care of it with no BS issues (i dread it happening in 2018 w/ the way insurance companies fight every detail).
The issue is, without real penalties, people are going to keep texting and driving, or worse, driving “aggressively†by cyclists, because they can get away with it basically scott free. If someone isn’t able to maintain control of their vehicle in a way that doesn’t injure or kill another legal motorist, they should face repercussions.
I’m not disagreeing with you. What I’m saying is that they aren’t treating “cycling deaths” any worse than car deaths was my point. It’s not as if they are saying “screw cyclists”, no states in the U.S. handle “vehicular death” very strongly…was my point…unless it’s drunk driving type of issue. So my rebuttal to you is that it would mean they would have to require likely jail time for regular car-car accidents as well.
ETA: Overall cyclists get shitted on because we most likely will die in a bike v car accident. We also are “encroaching” cars when we are on the road vs having an overall understanding of cars/bikes sharing the roads. It’s truly a cultural thing that bikes are the problem, etc. in the U.S.
But my point was more that if this same accident was car v car and no charges filed, that would be likely the same result that occurs likely daily within the U.S. with vehicular death accidents. We just post about it on here and it becomes “personal” and we want justice. But the decision by the cops to likely not charge them with sometype of vehicular homicide likely happens all the time in “accidents” where someone dies and no jail time is served. It’s truly only the drunk driving type of accidents that are going to cause any type of jail time in any vehicular accident. ETA: I should add, “aggressive” driving if documented will get you likely jail time as well, especially if it kills someone. But an run of mill “accident” that causes someone to die, nah very rarely is anyone going to jail during those incidents. Especially as the earlier person stated, stayed at the scene, remorseful, “didnt see them”, etc.
ETA #2- But as I said with the facts of hitting 7 people, that’s some major distraction going on. That’s not imo the same as simply hitting 1 guy out on the road all by themselves. 7 people in a group, you truly are a distracted person not to see that and pay attention to that.
Luckily here in Australia justice does prevail. A driver is being sentenced today so we will see what she gets???
This is graphic footage but should be seen… horrible…
https://www.facebook.com/1774546764/posts/10205393435153385/
Oh my gosh I just watched that. I’m 99% sure you can see one person receiving CPR. It looks like everyone in the group was hit… some worse than others. I refuse to ride on the road in here in FL. It’s just not worth it. The drivers here are just awful: a mix of distracted teenagers, old people who probably shouldn’t be driving, tourists who are lost and looking at their GPS, and… ahem… individuals who learned how to drive in another country who flat out don’t obey any traffic laws.
There was an incident over the weekend up in Clermont where a group of teenagers threw partially fulls cups and bottles at a cyclist in a bike lane while passing at roughly 50mph. The cyclist was unharmed (luckily) but the truth is those kids will probably do it again to someone else.
When I volunteered at IMFL I was blown away by how many vehicles didn’t obey Police Officers directing traffic at intersections. I mean… seriously, the officers said “don’t go” or “don’t turn here” and the cars would just run the intersection or turn. Unbelievable.
I work in commercial real estate and I recently negotiated a deal to relocate a police substation. The Chief is a very competitive triathlete. She refuses to ride out on the roads in North Florida. Some of her stories were rather horrendous. Simply put, we don’t do enough to take bad drivers off the road.
I’m lucky I have the West Orange Trail nearby which lets me get some saddle time in outside on the weekends.
GP,
I go down to Clermont every spring for the ITU Florida swing of races in early March. About 5 years ago I took one of my pros to an bike trail outside of clermont. It was something like 50 miles long (maybe even longer) and it was an bike only specific “road”…I think it ran parallel to railroad tracks, but apparently it goes from east to west and is a full on dedicated bike only trail (so you can ride it at speed). Do you know what that is called, is that the trail you are referring to?
I thought it was great, it was like straight for miles and miles (we did out and back, as we rode from AAA’s training camp facility).
I think what is most scary for me is when you hit a group of cyclists, you are deep in distraction. And when it comes where even groups aren’t safe, I’m completely done. Your an asshole if you are that deep in distraction that you plow into a group of cyclists.
Either the West Orange Trail or the Van Fleet Trail. It kind of sounds like you’re describing the Van Fleet Trail to be honest but it runs North and South. The funding to connect the two trails should be approved early next year. Both are a pretty great training resource.
Damn. I didn’t hear about this. Where was it exactly? I live in Orlando but ride Clermont just about every weekend.
Check out the Clermont Triathletes Facebook group. I believe it was near Lake Hancock Road.
It was down in the Ft Lauderdale area from what I could gather. I also live in FL (North of Jax though) and really only get a few rides in outside before races. Living along the coast, it’s just getting to congested. In the last 5 years traffic has grown exponentially during the spring/summer/fall. Thankfully we still have a “winter” so there’s a small opening.
Nine Months.
And pleading for a community correction order because she has to live with it for the rest of her life.
My condolences to family of those involved. I watched the video it was a sad moment for me no one want’s it hope there’s should be a correct action / justice prior to what happened distracted driving is not enough excuse you’ll see those cyclist in front of you and you’ll have a time to react or to slow down the pace.
I know the major one was in South Florida. I was referring the incident in Clermont where drivers threw bottles at cyclist.
I’m on the trainer more and more these days and only ride Clermont in the early mornings on weekends. Makes me want to get the Fly6 Camera for insurance. I know it wont stop someone who’s not paying attention, but at least i’ll have some proof in case it ever happens to me.
Not really justice is it. What is enough though? She did stop and pleaded guilty and I hope she does her nine months.
I’m not disagreeing with you. What I’m saying is that they aren’t treating “cycling deaths” any worse than car deaths was my point. It’s not as if they are saying “screw cyclists”, no states in the U.S. handle “vehicular death” very strongly…was my point…unless it’s drunk driving type of issue. So my rebuttal to you is that it would mean they would have to require likely jail time for regular car-car accidents as well.
ETA: Overall cyclists get shitted on because we most likely will die in a bike v car accident. We also are “encroaching” cars when we are on the road vs having an overall understanding of cars/bikes sharing the roads. It’s truly a cultural thing that bikes are the problem, etc. in the U.S.
But my point was more that if this same accident was car v car and no charges filed, that would be likely the same result that occurs likely daily within the U.S. with vehicular death accidents. We just post about it on here and it becomes “personal” and we want justice. But the decision by the cops to likely not charge them with sometype of vehicular homicide likely happens all the time in “accidents” where someone dies and no jail time is served. It’s truly only the drunk driving type of accidents that are going to cause any type of jail time in any vehicular accident. ETA: I should add, “aggressive” driving if documented will get you likely jail time as well, especially if it kills someone. But an run of mill “accident” that causes someone to die, nah very rarely is anyone going to jail during those incidents. Especially as the earlier person stated, stayed at the scene, remorseful, “didnt see them”, etc.
ETA #2- But as I said with the facts of hitting 7 people, that’s some major distraction going on. That’s not imo the same as simply hitting 1 guy out on the road all by themselves. 7 people in a group, you truly are a distracted person not to see that and pay attention to that.
I agree. There are laws which would allow for harsher punishment still. Some states will allow vehicular homicide charges if the death was because of “inattentive or careless†driving. But how often does that happen? Law enforcement doesn’t pursue those charges, which is a shame because people they are tasked with protecting and serving are getting run down by distracted motorists. Hell, police are just as bad. Look at the Cycliq YouTube video where the police SUV makes a left hand turn straight into a cyclist patiently waiting at the stop sign, because he was texting. I saw a local PD on Facebook talking about how bikes shouldn’t be on the road, and he was taking pictures from his cruiser and posting on FB. It is absolutely a cultural thing and I hope people start changing their behaviors. Believe me, I’m MUCH better about sticking my phone in the console while driving now than I was before.