AFJ
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No jail time for driver that killed motorcyclist.
- Thread starter SteveM.
- Start date
In 29 years of driving/riding, I've had 3 speeding tickets. All of which I got in the same year. No emotional crap to deal with, no difference in driving habits, just happened that way. I'm not trying to defend her in any way, and it is tragic, but, she had no intention of causing an accident or injuring/killing someone. Not to mention, speed wasn't a consideration in this case as it was a left turner. I honestly think a big part of left turn incidents is the thickness of a-pillars in cars. Now that they have airbags built into them, they take up a lot of visual real-estate. Because the a-pillar is so close to your face, it can mask a lot in the distance. Twice it's happened to me that I was surprised by pedestrians crossing and had to brake abruptly while turning left because their presence was completely obstructed. This is why I always weave in my lane when coming up to a left turning vehicle.
Where I get stumped is how is it so difficult to prove negligence in a car accident (in general, not specifically this case), but if you don't shovel your snow fast enough and someone slips, lawyers salivate?
The only quasi-solution I can come up with for accident scenarios such as this one is to have the offender have to start the licensing process from scratch each time something happens. And make it more difficult with each attempt. I would also eliminate collision insurance completely for the person causing the accident.
Where I get stumped is how is it so difficult to prove negligence in a car accident (in general, not specifically this case), but if you don't shovel your snow fast enough and someone slips, lawyers salivate?
The only quasi-solution I can come up with for accident scenarios such as this one is to have the offender have to start the licensing process from scratch each time something happens. And make it more difficult with each attempt. I would also eliminate collision insurance completely for the person causing the accident.
As much as I love to ride, there are bits that wreak havoc on my anxiety. Having people turning left onto the roadway in front of me is the one that tweaks it the most. I will put this here as it is a technique that I use.
RIP to the fallen rider in this story.
RIP to the fallen rider in this story.
Intersections of all types are a concern because people don't see you or aren't looking for you.
I had a headlight modulator on my ST and used it only at intersections and elsewhere when I was concerned about my visibility. I found it to be very effective. In 18 years of riding with it, not one close call. Modulators can be very annoying when riders leave them on all the time. Don't do that. Some people love to rant and rave about modulators, they hate them, don't care.
My Tracer has LED headlights and I haven't found a modulator for it. I've added amber running lights and sometimes flash the high beams to stand out when I think it's necessary. So far working OK. If anyone knows of a modulator that works on a Tracer please let me know.
For me, intersections are a secondary concern and can be managed. Deer are my prime concern and I'm seeing more of them when on back roads everywhere, especially in the U.S. where we go to find curvy roads.
I had a headlight modulator on my ST and used it only at intersections and elsewhere when I was concerned about my visibility. I found it to be very effective. In 18 years of riding with it, not one close call. Modulators can be very annoying when riders leave them on all the time. Don't do that. Some people love to rant and rave about modulators, they hate them, don't care.
My Tracer has LED headlights and I haven't found a modulator for it. I've added amber running lights and sometimes flash the high beams to stand out when I think it's necessary. So far working OK. If anyone knows of a modulator that works on a Tracer please let me know.
For me, intersections are a secondary concern and can be managed. Deer are my prime concern and I'm seeing more of them when on back roads everywhere, especially in the U.S. where we go to find curvy roads.
I agree with this and it seems to get worse as I get older.
I find myself being a law abiding and cautious rider, but never afraid to ride.
What worries me more than getting into an (Minor?) accident is having the other driver take off to avoid any consequences.
I worry about flashing the headlights being taken as a sign of giving way.
Is debriefing ever discussed? After a ride I reflect on what I may have done that could have been better and what I did that was well played. Then try to do less of the first and more of the second on the next ride. That should apply to cars as well.
We don't understand risks. 2,000 traffic deaths a year in a population of 40,000,000 doesn't boggle the mind but we're a bit touchy when the victim is one of our own. Around one in ten of those deaths was a motorcyclist but it's apples to oranges statistically.
A lot of people have shot from the hip about the woman not getting jail time or a life altering fine so what should have been the punishment based on factual studies of traffic recidivism? Keep in mind the number of people that kill by car more than once is so extremely low that recidivism stats are almost useless.
Punishment is more about closure for the family, putting a value on the life of a loved one.
All the woman did was make a stupid turn. She didn't target Kevin Mills. If she killed Paul Bernardo instead we'd be giving her high fives and buying her beers.
Does that mean if there is no intent there should be no punishment? I'm not comfortable with that.
Punishment IMO won't change anything. We have to focus on prevention and that isn't happening.
... but that ONCE could be the end.
If you flash your lights at me, I’m turning.
I hear ya. Ordered and will be installing one of these motorcycle 'dash cams'
Every vehicle in the house is equipped with one. Some find them pretentious as **** but the first time it proved I was not at fault and saved me a pile, that was all I needed to justify having it.
What compensation does the family of the rider get?
What if he didn’t have sufficient life insurance and keeping the family home depended on his paycheck?
Pre death a retired couple could get $4000 a month CPP & OAS. Post death it’s half and not enough to run the house.
Who gets the $2500 fine, the court or the victims family?
Who does all the day to day chores around the house that were formerly done by the spouse?
I can change a tap washer for fifty cents. My wife would have to hire a plumber and end up paying a couple of hundred.
If I was the survivor I would have to learn to do laundry and cleaning. I think I could handle it but doing it takes time away from things I really like to do, like messing around in the shop.
Remarry you say. Talk to people in their fifties and find out how few good catches are out there. Women have to watch out for gigolos. Men have watch out for women looking for sugar daddies. If it doesn’t work out they go after half.
Do the children still get to go to college?
How much does insurance payout for a death?
What if he didn’t have sufficient life insurance and keeping the family home depended on his paycheck?
Pre death a retired couple could get $4000 a month CPP & OAS. Post death it’s half and not enough to run the house.
Who gets the $2500 fine, the court or the victims family?
Who does all the day to day chores around the house that were formerly done by the spouse?
I can change a tap washer for fifty cents. My wife would have to hire a plumber and end up paying a couple of hundred.
If I was the survivor I would have to learn to do laundry and cleaning. I think I could handle it but doing it takes time away from things I really like to do, like messing around in the shop.
Remarry you say. Talk to people in their fifties and find out how few good catches are out there. Women have to watch out for gigolos. Men have watch out for women looking for sugar daddies. If it doesn’t work out they go after half.
Do the children still get to go to college?
How much does insurance payout for a death?
Sadly the answer to most of those questions is the riders responsibility. I don't know if or when I will get taken out. There is a life insurance policy in place to take care of everything on that list. Yes, my wife would need to pay for a lot of things. Money solves a lot of issues.
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