this post was submitted on 30 Aug 2023
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Just look at the speed that the RV was going! The driver was given a $500 ticket for almost killing 30 cyclists. Insane that they're even allowed to drive after that.

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[–] Tristano@lemmy.ca 78 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I hate the passive way headlines are written when it comes to crashes involving bikes. "Tossed" is such a light word for what happened. "Passing RV" as if it wasn't the cause of it all and just happened to be there

That driver should never be allowed on the road again. There's no excuse.

Glad the guy is alive.

[–] trident_burger@mander.xyz 33 points 1 year ago (1 children)

At the very least, Arizona and many other states should require a separate license and training to operate an RV that size.

And yeah, regardless of vehicle, it was an incredibly stupid (and illegal) decision to pass that closely.

BTW, AZs 3 ft passing law limits civil penalties to $500 if serious injury is causes, $1000 if death.

Dont know if the driver could be found negligent in a civil lawsuit?

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's an incredibly stupid law. Why have a fine at all if it's just $500-1000? If you kill someone with your car and it's your fault, your license should be suspended.

[–] Mr_Blott@feddit.uk 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Eh, that's a jailable crime where I'm from ffs

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Wouldn't that depend on motive? Accidentally killing someone usually doesn't result in jail time unless it reaches the level of gross negligence (i.e. you're looking at your phone or something when you hit a pedestrian). If you kill someone intentionally, you're absolutely looking at jail time because that's murder.

[–] HikingVet@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well, not being able to properly control multiple tons of machinery on a public road can be considered gross negligence.

It could, depending on the merits of the case. In the case of this article, I do think it rises to that standard, but that's not true of all accidents involving motor vehicles. That's my point.

[–] Chev@lemmy.world 30 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"The cycling group has a GoFundMe to help pay for the medical bills of the cyclists injured in the crash. You can find that link here."

Damn that's kind of crazy that this is even a thing.

[–] quicksand@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

You must not be familiar with the medical system in the US. They're gonna be in the hole thousands of dollars just for getting looked at. Considering the remoteness of the accident, their ambulance ride will be incredibly expensive. In this case, the RV driver's insurance should be on the hook, but you know they'll do everything they can to pay as little as possible.

[–] funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

but also a reminder if you're ever in this situation- as hard as it may be - you can fight. I know if you're injured and sick and frightened it can be hard- but there are ways to reduce, ameliorate, cancel this debt.

a quick Google search gives me loads of resources to start - including checking all EOBs and CPTs, calling the provider customer service, calling your insurance, speaking to their supervisors, speaking to their managers, escalating beyond that, fili ng an appeal with the provider, an appeal with the insurance company, with the patient advocate, with the insurance commission, and then you have legal recourse...

[–] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 28 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Honestly as a driver and a casual bicyclist, I absolutely hate what America calls "bike lanes".

Yup, they're often more dangerous than riding in a regular car lane.

[–] maggio@discuss.tchncs.de 27 points 1 year ago (27 children)

At this point I've almost given up. 500$ fine is absolutely insane. Here in Germany a taxi driver was given a fine for killing a cyclist with his door (not deliberately of course!).

Why people even use guns anymore, when you can just kill them with a vehicle. If you fail, you just try again later. Insane

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[–] ikidd@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't get how people drive while apparently looking only so far down the road as their hood ornament. There was nobody coming towards him in the opposite lane, to pull over and give that group a large berth was the easiest thing in the world. Even driving a pickup, I feel bad passing a cyclist at highway speeds for the bow wave of wind the truck will make, because I've been in his shoes trying to keep a bike straight when a truck goes by.

Poor bastard got hurt, but he got lucky too.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

to pull over and give that group a large berth was the easiest thing in the world.

It's always the easiest thing in the world for a driver to simply move over a few feet while they pass, yet far too many don't. Some will even narrow the gap on purpose (get a rear camera and be SHOCKED at how often this happens).

But hitting someone in a **group **of riders is like being legally blind and behind the wheel.

[–] Mr_Blott@feddit.uk -5 points 1 year ago

I couldn't work out what the fuck a Flagstaff cyclist was and I was picturing some daft cunt with a massive flagpole on his bike. No wonder he got knocked off lol