Bicyclist killed by woman driver who was downloading cell phone ring tones

[Yarper]

Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
working for a personal-injury law firm.

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death

What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.

 

[nash]

Doesn't Sweden also have miles of highway set aside for cyclists?

 

[Karen Newton]

Please don't cross-post to the frugal living group.


"nash" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:101ch.403162$5R2.165149@pd7urf3no...
> Doesn't Sweden also have miles of highway set aside for cyclists?
>
>

 

[damyth]

Yarper wrote:
> Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
> to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
> working for a personal-injury law firm.
>
> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
>
> What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
> they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.

I don't know if I agree with your sentiment regarding separate bicycle
lanes. (Seperate) If by bicycle "lanes" you mean "paths" I'd strongly
disagree with you. Bicycle paths in the US are severely neglected.
1. Bike paths don't benefit from regular "street cleaning"
2. Bike paths generally do not present good visibility (narrow, blind
corners, etc.)
3. Bike paths are not maintained as well/often as motor roadways.
(Repaving/re-surfacing)
4. Bike paths (or bicycle riders) become ghetto-ized. "Why don't you
use the bike path!"
5. The likelihood of injuries and accidents increases because bike
paths get used by joggers, baby strollers, roller-bladers, etc., all of
which have a present a a multitude of large speed differentials
compared to bicyclists, making accidents more likely.

If anything, this case demonstrates that we need more stringent laws
and penalties regarding reckless driving. I don't know the details of
this case, but in my mind, use of a cell phone while driving in any
fashion constitutes reckless driving. I know the person wasn't charged
with reckless driving in this case, but she certainly should have been.

 

[richard]

"Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
> to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
> working for a personal-injury law firm.
>
> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
>
> What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
> they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.

<quotes>
Stark was so far off the road that she hit Mr. Wilhelm from behind with the
driver's side of her car. He was wearing a helmet.

Stark, who had three prior convictions since May 2005 one for disregarding a
traffic light and two for speeding. The last speeding conviction came about
five weeks before she hit Mr. Wilhelm.
<end quotes>

The man on the bicycle was doing nothing wrong. if Ms Stark had not hit him,
she would have been easily off the road entirely. There is no alarm for
improving bike paths. As one of these cases even rarely happens, even rarer
with a death of the biker.

But I do not feel that an improper lane usage charge is not adequate as
there was a human life involved, which is a test for reckless operation, and
that test was met with flying colors.
I have a sneaking hunch this will not be the last time we will hear about
Ms. Stark and her cell phone.

 

[Karen Newton]

Please don't cross-post to the frugal living group.


"damyth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Yarper wrote:
>> Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
>> to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
>> working for a personal-injury law firm.
>>
>> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
>>
>> What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
>> they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.
>
> I don't know if I agree with your sentiment regarding separate bicycle
> lanes. (Seperate) If by bicycle "lanes" you mean "paths" I'd strongly
> disagree with you. Bicycle paths in the US are severely neglected.
> 1. Bike paths don't benefit from regular "street cleaning"
> 2. Bike paths generally do not present good visibility (narrow, blind
> corners, etc.)
> 3. Bike paths are not maintained as well/often as motor roadways.
> (Repaving/re-surfacing)
> 4. Bike paths (or bicycle riders) become ghetto-ized. "Why don't you
> use the bike path!"
> 5. The likelihood of injuries and accidents increases because bike
> paths get used by joggers, baby strollers, roller-bladers, etc., all of
> which have a present a a multitude of large speed differentials
> compared to bicyclists, making accidents more likely.
>
> If anything, this case demonstrates that we need more stringent laws
> and penalties regarding reckless driving. I don't know the details of
> this case, but in my mind, use of a cell phone while driving in any
> fashion constitutes reckless driving. I know the person wasn't charged
> with reckless driving in this case, but she certainly should have been.
>

 

[Karen Newton]

Please don't cross-post to the frugal living group.


"Butch Haynes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
>> to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
>> working for a personal-injury law firm.
>>
>> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
>>
>> What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
>> they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.
>>
>
> Yes, yes-- and have the bike lanes lead directly to places like
> Amsterdam's legal brothels and famous red light district with girls in the
> windows ;-)
>
> Butch
>

 

[Yarper]

Karen Newton wrote:
> Please don't cross-post to the frugal living group.

You're right, riding a bicycle has nothing to do
with frugality. Frugal people drive SUVs.

 

[Bellsouth Ijit 2.0]

"Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Karen Newton wrote:
>> Please don't cross-post to the frugal living group.
>
> You're right, riding a bicycle has nothing to do
> with frugality. Frugal people drive SUVs.
>

And download ringtones on Verizon cellphones.

 

[Zoot Katz]

On 1 Dec 2006 12:55:12 -0800, "Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
>to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
>working for a personal-injury law firm.
>
>http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
>
>What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
>they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.

What we need is to bring back the guillotine for careless,
inattentive driving causing death.

I hope this four-time loser does the right thing and commits suicide.

BTW, shove your attempt at a political troll. Every DA's hands are
tied by the systemic bias that continues to perceive driving as a god
given right and victims as expendable.
--
zk

 

[Ozark Bicycle]

Yarper wrote:
> Karen Newton wrote:
> > Please don't cross-post to the frugal living group.
>
> You're right, riding a bicycle has nothing to do
> with frugality. Frugal people drive SUVs.

"Frugal" people drive *hybrid* SUVs, the ultimate "I don't have a
brain" vehicle.

 

[nash]

Karen I do not see frugal living in the addresses


"Karen Newton" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Please don't cross-post to the frugal living group.
>
>
> "damyth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Yarper wrote:
>>> Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
>>> to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
>>> working for a personal-injury law firm.
>>>
>>> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
>>>
>>> What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
>>> they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.
>>
>> I don't know if I agree with your sentiment regarding separate bicycle
>> lanes. (Seperate) If by bicycle "lanes" you mean "paths" I'd strongly
>> disagree with you. Bicycle paths in the US are severely neglected.
>> 1. Bike paths don't benefit from regular "street cleaning"
>> 2. Bike paths generally do not present good visibility (narrow, blind
>> corners, etc.)
>> 3. Bike paths are not maintained as well/often as motor roadways.
>> (Repaving/re-surfacing)
>> 4. Bike paths (or bicycle riders) become ghetto-ized. "Why don't you
>> use the bike path!"
>> 5. The likelihood of injuries and accidents increases because bike
>> paths get used by joggers, baby strollers, roller-bladers, etc., all of
>> which have a present a a multitude of large speed differentials
>> compared to bicyclists, making accidents more likely.
>>
>> If anything, this case demonstrates that we need more stringent laws
>> and penalties regarding reckless driving. I don't know the details of
>> this case, but in my mind, use of a cell phone while driving in any
>> fashion constitutes reckless driving. I know the person wasn't charged
>> with reckless driving in this case, but she certainly should have been.
>>
>
>

 

[Notan]

nash wrote:
>
> Karen I do not see frugal living in the addresses
>
> <snip>

She removed it before posting to the above groups.

Notan

 

[james g. keegan jr.]

In article <[email protected]>,
"Butch Haynes" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...

> > What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
> > they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.
> >
>
> Yes, yes-- and have the bike lanes lead directly to places like Amsterdam's
> legal brothels and famous red light district with girls in the windows ;-)


nice thought.

 

[me]

On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:45:01 -0800, Zoot Katz wrote:

> On 1 Dec 2006 12:55:12 -0800, "Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> BTW, shove your attempt at a political troll. Every DA's hands are
> tied by the systemic bias that continues to perceive driving as a god
> given right and victims as expendable.

I respectfully disagree, from the victims mother's statement..

"Julia Rietz said it would be hard to prosecute 'willful and
wanton behavior and the driver could have 'no reasonable expectation of a
bike on the side of the road,' yet every single time we visited the
accident site we saw bikers and joggers in the area. The driver took this
path to and from work and had to see others out there. Disregarding the
obvious is a total lack of responsibility."
.....

She was so far off the road she hit the cyclist with the *drivers* side!
She wasn't just using the phone, she was *downloading* ringtones!
I find it pathetic that the DA didn't recommend a vehicular homicide
charge. I agree that the bias towards driving / against cycling is
systemic, but in this case I would have expected a more serious charge
and would expect a conviction.

 

[nash]

"me" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:Wy2ch.13302$hn.10266@edtnps82...
> On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:45:01 -0800, Zoot Katz wrote:
>
>> On 1 Dec 2006 12:55:12 -0800, "Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>> BTW, shove your attempt at a political troll. Every DA's hands are
>> tied by the systemic bias that continues to perceive driving as a god
>> given right and victims as expendable.
>
> I respectfully disagree, from the victims mother's statement..
>
> "Julia Rietz said it would be hard to prosecute 'willful and
> wanton behavior and the driver could have 'no reasonable expectation of a
> bike on the side of the road,' yet every single time we visited the
> accident site we saw bikers and joggers in the area. The driver took this
> path to and from work and had to see others out there. Disregarding the
> obvious is a total lack of responsibility."
> ....
>
> She was so far off the road she hit the cyclist with the *drivers* side!
> She wasn't just using the phone, she was *downloading* ringtones!
> I find it pathetic that the DA didn't recommend a vehicular homicide
> charge. I agree that the bias towards driving / against cycling is
> systemic, but in this case I would have expected a more serious charge
> and would expect a conviction.

It is so unbelievable like it is a dream. or make that daymare eh

 

[Robert Coe]

On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:45:01 -0800, Zoot Katz <[email protected]> wrote:
: On 1 Dec 2006 12:55:12 -0800, "Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote:
:
: >Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
: >to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
: >working for a personal-injury law firm.
: >
: >http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
: >
: >What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
: >they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.
:
: What we need is to bring back the guillotine for careless,
: inattentive driving causing death.
:
: I hope this four-time loser does the right thing and commits suicide.
:
: BTW, shove your attempt at a political troll. Every DA's hands are
: tied by the systemic bias that continues to perceive driving as a god
: given right and victims as expendable.

Driving *is* a god given right, but those who do it so dangerously should be
dealt with harshly. So I both agree with you and think you're full of sh*t.

 

[Zoot Katz]

On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 23:05:26 GMT, me <[email protected]> wrote:

>She was so far off the road she hit the cyclist with the *drivers* side!
>She wasn't just using the phone, she was *downloading* ringtones!
>I find it pathetic that the DA didn't recommend a vehicular homicide
>charge. I agree that the bias towards driving / against cycling is
>systemic, but in this case I would have expected a more serious charge
>and would expect a conviction.

This tragedy happened in Illinois where until recently, or perhaps
still, bicyclist aren't even considered the intended users of the
road. I'm sure Bob can clarify this. Perhaps it was only one judge's
ruling after a cyclist disappeared into a pot-hole and tried to sue
the state.

Yeah it's a systemic bias and one not confined to Illinois or the US
of A. It happens everywhere the economy feeds on blood and oil. It
happens everywhere fat-cat legislators are influenced by the
automotive cartel's fat-cat lobbyists

I sincerely doubt a BC cyclist would get any more justice
post-humously.
--
zk

 

[Notan]

Robert Coe wrote:
>
> On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:45:01 -0800, Zoot Katz <[email protected]> wrote:
> : On 1 Dec 2006 12:55:12 -0800, "Yarper" <[email protected]> wrote:
> :
> : >Clear and obvious guilt. Result? A slap on the wrist, due directly
> : >to Democratic State Attorney Julia Reitz, who ironically is listed as
> : >working for a personal-injury law firm.
> : >
> : >http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
> : >
> : >What we need in the USA is separate bicycle lanes, like
> : >they have throughout Denmark and parts of Holland.
> :
> : What we need is to bring back the guillotine for careless,
> : inattentive driving causing death.
> :
> : I hope this four-time loser does the right thing and commits suicide.
> :
> : BTW, shove your attempt at a political troll. Every DA's hands are
> : tied by the systemic bias that continues to perceive driving as a god
> : given right and victims as expendable.
>
> Driving *is* a god given right, but those who do it so dangerously should be
> dealt with harshly. So I both agree with you and think you're full of sh*t.

http://lexrex.com/informed/foundingdocuments/ConstBillAmend.htm#bill_of_rights

I must've missed the one on driving.

Notan

 

[me]

On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:58:23 -0500, Robert Coe wrote:


> Driving *is* a god given right,

!!!