Comments on: iRisk?

By: doug

doug — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:27:25 +0000

@mikey

Please tell me you use a mirror while riding a bike with an MP3 player. If not, how do you deal with the huge blind spot to your rear? How do you mitigate not having any idea whatsoever of what is behind you?

I see people doing this all the time and am just curious.

By: mikey2gorgeous

mikey2gorgeous — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:18:59 +0000

I think the MP3 issue is different form the phone one - phones are so much more distracting to drivers or anyone.

However, being from the UK, I strongly believe in the principle that a motor vehicle driver is completely responsible for their vehicle. We allow (expect) pedestrians all over the roads & strictly speaking they have right of way (& this hasn’t degenerated into walking anarchy before you ask).

By: mikey2gorgeous

mikey2gorgeous — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:13:19 +0000

@fred - we will NEVER be able to fully regulate with laws which have a 100% compliance - there will always be people who break them. However, we can use deterrents to get a higher compliance rate.

In the 2 cases you mention - if there was an accident, it is provable that laws were broken. Culpability of wrong-doing is as much a part of enforcement as catching people red handed.

@Velocentric - As a pedestrian & cyclist I sometimes use an MP3 player - I am fully aware that this limits my perception & adjust accordingly. If there was a significant link between MP3s & accidents we would be aware of it. Insurance companies would be shouting it from the rooftops!

Do you think deaf people should be banned from the roads?

By: fred_dot_u

fred_dot_u — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:12:58 +0000

Unfortunately, if one can regulate stupid, one cannot as easily enforce it. Most recent item to pop into my alleged mind is the outbreak of laws banning texting while driving. Sure, regulate it, but it’s not enforceable.

Similarly, the three-foot passing law requiring motor vehicle operators to give three foot (15 toes) clearance when passing a person on a bike. Unless a law enforcement officer is a witness (and knows the law and cares to deal with it), nothing happens.

By: Velocentric

Velocentric — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:58:39 +0000

There’s plenty of distracted street use among all road users. However, licensed vehicle operators should be especially targeted because of the intrinsic authority of the state to regulate motor vehicle operation and most importantly, the much greater danger that motor vehicles pose to vulnerable road users. That said, ordinances prohibiting aural and visual obstructions for pedestrians and cyclists while using a roadway should also be considered. You can’t fix stupid but you can regulate it.