I remember reading in Lance Armstrong book that in the US its not uncommon for truck drivers to push cyclists off the road and people are generally hostile to them.
Imagine being born in the us.
this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2023
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They never push me off the road, 'course I've always got my trusty WWII flamethrower aimed and ready to defend my family and property. The way god intended.
Hostility towards cyclists isn't uncommon in the UK either. The attitude of the general public really needs to be changed.
I will say though that there was some rules introduced a year or two ago to make drivers give more room when overtaking and a good portion of the public actually do this now. But you still get some that will pass closely.
As a driver, I’m terrified of cyclists and treat them like a really slow moving car or bus - give them all the room and don’t overtake unless they’re stopped or the opposite side lane is clear. But then I’m probably an annoying driver.
There's no need to be terrified. Giving plenty of space is sufficient.
I do get some cars who are scared to pass and sometimes that ends up creating more hostilities as the cars behind that car end up getting frustrated and pass with anger.
It's great to be cautious but you can also be too cautious.
Happens from time to time in Canada, too. In the middle of the city!
Is this law site accurate?
Only 2-6 years for murdering someone with a car in Colorado?
Same in canada. As long as you're not drunk, you can murder people with your car as long as you say "whoops! Accident!" right away
It's up to 10 years, no parole, in Canada for vehicular manslaughter (whoops, accident). Vehicular homicide has the same maximums as any other homicide.
Yes but when was the last time anyone got the maximum sentence?
Usually demerit points and fine
I usually see 3-5 years in the news, but these cases are rarely publicised.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/devin-edmiston-yukon-fatal-crash-sentence-1.6872203
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-police-passenger-manslaughter-sentence-1.6330001
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/behchoko-drunk-driving-sentencing-1.6861499
I've seen 10-20 years, but there are usually multiple victims and/or egregious circumstances.
And the most famous in recent memory:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/canada/humboldt-broncos-crash-driver-sentenced-to-8-years-1.4347220
I think part of our collective memory issue is that there is usually 2+ years before the event and the sentencing.
That's broadly true worldwide. If you want to kill people, a car (or some motorised equivalent) is the way to go.
Here is a great recent podcast on this subject. FREAKONOMICS RADIO: Why Is the U.S. So Good at Killing Pedestrians?
Nothing I hadn't seen before in there, but it was very well presented.
If a cyclist dies, it's almost guaranteed it was a driver's fault.
Man that sucks.