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Bicyclists on the state roads!

drillerdave

 

We have got to issue new rules regarding bicycle riding on state maintained roads, outside of communities. There are bicycle parks for a reason.

When I biked, I use to drive thirty minutes to Shelly Lake in Raleigh.

Riding a bike on a public driven road is a huge hazard for the motorist and cyclist.

Atleast put the liability in the hands of the cyclist. Motorists should not be responsible for hitting a cyclist on a state road, with speeds in excess of 35 mph.

Isn't this reasonable? Bicyclist could enjoy riding in downtowns, and subdivisions, etc. With the exception of state roads with speeds in excess of 35 mph.

Imagine:
Waking up tomorrow morning like any other work day. You jump in your vehicle, driving to work, and WAAM, you clip a bicyclist while rounding a curve you have traveled a hundred times. The cyclist is thrushed into a ditch and dies on impact. Your immediate response is to slam on brakes, get out of the vehicle and check on the cyclist. Then you proceed to check their vitals, call for help, and panic while awaiting police and ambulance.
Hours later, your detained for questioning at the local police station. Charged with man slaughter and spending the day in jail until your spouse or family member bails you out. In a week or so, you face a Judge and plead your case. You believe anyone would be compasionate enough to believe you didn't intentionally hit the cyclist.
However, by the duration of your case, you soon realize, man slaughter is exactly that! You kill someone accidently, however your faced with a possible sentence due to justifiable negligence on your part.
A few days later your transferred to the nearest minimum security prison starting a twenty four month sentence. You loose your job, house, and your spouse files for a divorce.
All this from hitting a cyclist that wanted to catch a few rays and fresh air. 

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No

<<Atleast put the liability in the hands of the cyclist. Motorists should not be responsible for hitting a cyclist on a state road, with speeds in excess of 35 mph. Isn't this reasonable?>>

No. It is completely unreasonable to say that there are times when negligence leading to the loss of a human life is acceptable.