| Re: Holy shatz! Cop stops bicycle!
>tomk2003@hotmail.com (Tom Keats)
asked:
>> They (meaning cyclists... ed.) can ram through busy intersections against
the light, causing
>> multiple collisions as drivers attempt to avoid hitting them. Different
>> venue, same effect.
>
>I've heard this point raised in the course of discussion before,
>but I've never seen nor heard of actual incidents where this
>has occurred. Has anyone? And if so, how often does it happen?
Specifically cyclists? No. But when I was in patrol I investigated literally
hundreds of crashes that were caused by a third party's disregard for traffic
rules and saw dozens of similiar circumstances with my own eyes. Almost without
exception, those third parties just kept right on going. Unless it was one of
those times that I *saw* the crash that is. Those people I stopped, returned
them to the scene, listed them as involved parties on the crash report, and
issued them tickets. Sometimes I miss patrol. <g>
I think there are two main reasons that there aren't more documented cases of a
cyclist causing a crash. First, unless the cop *sees* it he's not going to list
the cyclist on the face of the report and most stats are gathered from the face
of the report. Second, in comparison to motor vehicle traffic there really
aren't that many cyclists on the road. It's rather like, how many crashes has
anyone heard of that were caused by UPS delivery trucks? Not that many I'd
wager and it's *not* because all UPS drivers are careful conscientious drivers
that always obey the traffic laws.
Regards,
Bob Hunt
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