A prayer for riders in Tyler

[pub610]

About a week ago, a biker was killed in Tyler when the driver of an SUV made a left turn in front of him. Didn't see the motorcycle. Ticket for failure to yield.
This weekend another biker, on his way to the funeral of the first, was killed when the driver of a family truckster made a left turn in front of him. Didn't see the motorcycle. Will likely be a ticket for failure to yield.
Saturday, Ninjette and I went to the hospital to meet and visit with a young man who was creamed in Tyler by a guy a made a U-turn in front of him. Didn't see the motorcycle. Ticket for failure to yield.
It's getting so bad that one of the local TV stations this morning did a story about the MSF course with a focus on proper gear and staying alert for drivers who don't.

It's so bad here that I pucker up at every intersection.

There has to be some way to get penalties stiffened for running over motorcycles and killing people.

And if there's not, please wear the proper gear. And, if it helps, pucker up along with me.
We really don't want to lose any more.

[mikeofcontex]

I'm sure that prosecutorial discretion determines whether involuntary manslaughter is prosecuted, but it seems like it's already on the books. If you kill someone or someone dies because of your actions it is already much more than failure to yield. At least, I think so.

[wanabeguru]

+1

[John Bennett]

Prayer. I prefer something stonger, like wereguild.

[69firebird]

You know, I would like t see something to increase public awareness in this matter. Maybe a couple of you big dogs could organize a muli group ride from all parts of the state and converge on the capitol to meet with some representatives or congressmen and discuss increasing the penalty of "failure to yield" when it involves injury or death. It may not amount to manslaughter but it is more than just a failure to yield. And by alerting the media and giving them some statistics would help get the message out to the public.

Just a thought.

[scar04]

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/cqcgi?CQ_STATCON_PROCESS_LOGIN=YES&CQ_USER_NAME=69.53.33.134&CQ_PASSWORD=statcon_pwd&CQ_LOGIN=YES

§ 550.021. ACCIDENT[0] INVOLVING[0] PERSONAL INJURY[0] OR DEATH.
(a) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident[0] resulting in
injury[0] to or death of a person shall:
(1) immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the
accident[0] or as close to the scene as possible;
(2) immediately return to the scene of the accident[0] if
the vehicle is not stopped at the scene of the accident[0]; and
(3) remain at the scene of the accident[0] until the
operator complies with the requirements of Section 550.023.
(b) An operator of a vehicle required to stop the vehicle by
Subsection (a) shall do so without obstructing traffic more than is
necessary.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person does not stop
or does not comply with the requirements of this section. An
offense under this section:
(1) involving[0] an accident[0] resulting in death of or
serious bodily injury[0], as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, to a
person is a felony of the third degree; and
(2) involving[0] an accident[0] resulting in injury[0] to which
Subdivision (1) does not apply is punishable by: (A) imprisonment in the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice for not more than five years or confinement in the
county jail for not more than one year;
(B) a fine not to exceed $5,000; or
(C) both the fine and the imprisonment or confinement.


They need to enforce this a little bit more I think.

[DaveC]

Maybe a better thing is for an improptue biker rally in Tyler. Fill the town with bikes, then maybe the brain dead well get a clue!

Ride with your high beam on folks and if you have not changed the stock halogen out for a Xenon gas type then do that also! Most auto parts carry them, in packs of two.

[terrebandit]

My neighbor did CPR on the guy that died near Green Acres Baptist church. Before he went into cardiac arrest, his last words were "don't let me die".

I feel sorry for my neighbor MORE than I do the guy from Palestine who was riding that bike. If he would have had a helmet on, and not running like a bat out of ****, he would have probably saved my friend the misery of not being able to save him. I know how my neighbor feels too as I was in his shoes 6 years ago. This is something that sticks with you a while. Wear your helmet and ride smart.

[jewilson]

Vehicular Homicide and an a failure to yield ticket that seems fair……

Life not fair is it

[TexasShadow]

Texas is the only state I've lived in yet where u-turns are legal. I wonder........

[TXTrophy]

Man o' Man...
That's a lot of accidents in a short time.
Better watch it in Tyler. I thought Cleburne was bad...sheesh.
Does make you wonder about those u-turns doesn't it.
Prayers all around for you Tyler guys and gals.

[hikingcoach]

As the weather gets warmer and more bikes are on the road lets all be mindful and alert when on the bikes or in the cages. There certainly needs to be more public awareness.

Check out this web site about promoting more awareness. It is a good program. http://http://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/Proclamations2008.html

[SparkyBlue]

There certainly needs to be more public awareness.

But there will not be more public awareness until bikes are seen all the time, everywhere. Also, bikes are not a perceived threat to most cagers and they tend to ignore them.

So it's no secret riding among cars is dangerous, and I have a hard time feeling sorry for the riders with no gear. I do feel for the families. Guess I'm getting mean in my old age.

[crowbocop]

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/cqcgi?CQ_STATCON_PROCESS_LOGIN=YES&CQ_USER_NAME=69.53.33.134&CQ_PASSWORD=statcon_pwd&CQ_LOGIN=YES


They need to enforce this a little bit more I think.

That law is enforced regularly....when a person does not stop at the scene of an accident and render aid. A driver does not meet the elements of this crime by pulling out in front of another driver or rider and causing an accident resulting in injury or death. The only way a driver meets the elements of this crime is if he or she fails to stop and render aid.

[hikingcoach]

[QUOTE=SparkyBlue;395363]But there will not be more public awareness until bikes are seen all the time, everywhere. QUOTE]

Yes, the more bikes are on the road the more cagers will get use to them. I ride to work more than I drive. We all need to help make our mode of transportation more visible.

[mochoajr]

You know, I would like t see something to increase public awareness in this matter. Maybe a couple of you big dogs could organize a muli group ride from all parts of the state and converge on the capitol to meet with some representatives or congressmen and discuss increasing the penalty of "failure to yield" when it involves injury or death. It may not amount to manslaughter but it is more than just a failure to yield. And by alerting the media and giving them some statistics would help get the message out to the public.

Just a thought.

Public awareness will come with the first stiff penalty! A large fine, probation or jail time if the cager was reckless!!

Marco

[Skip Honeycutt]

Texas is the only state I've lived in yet where u-turns are legal. I wonder........

Thanks to the recent brick/curb dividers installed in the middle of the Tyler Daytona Speedway (aka Loop 323) U-turns now seem to be ENCOURAGED!!

As far as being visible, I've actually put off buying a new helmet until Arai (Quantum) or Shoei (RF 1000) offers a high-vis lime or orange color. Nothing against other brands but these two brands just fit my old bald noggin like no other(s). Hi-vis lime/orange jackets are beginning to catch on so surely helmets will be offered soon...

[bluedogok]

On a divided road, U-turns are understandable but one thing that baffles me is how it seems Texans feel like a U-turn is permissible anywhere. I have seen many just pull a U-turn in the middle of an undivided road or highway without regard for others. I have seen two car wrecks from this and know of a fatality wreck here in Austin caused by someone who did just that.

The main thing is whether a u-turn is involved or not, it seems most people aren't paying attention to what they should be paying attention to, their driving.