by Danielle * *****Re-edited version that I wrote in KMTR.com “Your corner” forum on 7-23-07 by me as “2wheeler”, Eugene, OR.
My comments are about traffic cameras throughout the cities of Eugene/Springfield, the so-called bicycle friendliness, and complaints about bike riders.
I totally support a vast network of cameras to record all events in view at every possible major intersection, pedestrian and bike crosswalks, entrances to city parks, and school crossings-even though I do not have much hope in public safety priorities of city hall, or EPD to invest the money. Here’s why:
First, drivers who are complaining have nothing to say to me. The car vs. bikers accident statistics, plus my own experience with near misses, and the total disadvantage which any slow moving bicycle has up against fast moving vehicles, proves that for me.
I have lost dear friends who were killed while riding bikes, as well as injured. And they were not doing anything wrong! Therefore, it’s not about “big brother, its about recording and documentation. It’s about being able to have a video when someone is injured, or worse yet, when some dirt bag coward hits and seriously injures someone, and runs away.
In my opinion, the penalties for hit and run should be increased to zero tolerance- if you run away, kiss your driving privilege goodbye for ever! The vehicle is then confiscated, sold, and the money given to the victim or family, not for tow operators to profit.
Need I remind anyone that too many such tragic and criminal acts, have occurred in both cities. When ever a bicyclist is struck down and left for dead, I become extremely upset and emotional, and angry for that person life. That could have been me or anyone else! I begin to fear more for my own life, trusting other drivers even less, having post traumatic panics if I even feel threatened by a car or truck even coming too close.
For this reason especially, I strongly favor cameras which can provide vehicle identification, not necessarily being monitored full time, but like store security video on tape which can be replayed to investigate any sort of accident quickly after the fact. I would think that police accident reconstruction teams and insurance companies would benefit from such additional detail when investigating any sort of accident.
Cameras would provide a very much needed public service to the helpless victim, provided he or she is still alive, hopefully. especially if there is no available witness. Nothing is more frustrating, or painful than being mowed down, and left unable to identify the the vehicle or driver, and then the police can’t help either. These are serious acts of negligence and bodily injury that should never go unpunished, and traffic cameras could, I am convinced, help catch more of them.
When drivers don’t even obey or understand the pedestrian walk lights while waiting to make a right turn—and I include eighteen wheel trucks especially, it is not hard to see why a roundabout might for some, require too much driving skill. And also, as many of us are aware, the red light runners are indeed a serious hazard that begs attention.
I sense an arrogant attitude among some drivers which sounds like “sour grapes”. Whaaa, I am being inconvenienced by having to lift my foot off the gas to the brake, and slow down and wait for a bike, a light, or to stop and wait for people waiting to cross…I’m more important, get out of my way, I don’t have to stop. See, I will not look at you waiting at the intersection to cross, nor will I pay attention that the walk light happens to be in your favor–I am in a hurry, I’m special, you are just riding a bike or walking, I am licensed and you’re not, I work, you are just playing so I have the right of way and I am well protected in my big egomobile, no police are looking, so who is going to stop me?
Just look at some of the comments from letters to the RG excerpted in the Editorial on 7-26-07 titled “Share the road, dang it!” These are threats from drivers who have become emboldened because there seems to be nothing to hold them accountable, even after a new bicycle rider protection law is passed!
This is just another example of road raging bullies from whom the rest of the public as well as other drivers, needs protection from. It should be law that all drivers must stop at all crosswalks and bike crossings when persons are present, not simply us having to wait for twenty dozen vehicles to zoom by before being allowed to cross when, finally, one considerate and polite driver stops.
The addition of concrete center islands are a good safety improvement, as they allow one to cross one lane at a time. There are also traffic control systems that stop traffic in all directions at an intersection at once, allowing bicycle riders, etc. to make complete left turns, which are very hazardous. We need all of the technology, but can you just hear the winning and crying as the streets are increasingly timed and or regulated or “on camera” more and more against their favor? Yet only they can provide anti-collision by slowing down.
I would also remind everyone that except for certain sidewalks downtown, it is perfectly legal and practical for bicyclists to ride them anywhere in the city. Personally, I always feel safer; also I have never hit anyone. Drivers who are cutting off the sidewalk and only looking in the direction of oncoming traffic, and never the other way to see if anyone is on the sidewalk before pulling out, are driving with half a brain.
Walkers and bicyclists beware! Go behind them if possible, shout at them, wave your arms, do whatever it takes to make eye contact before you cross in front of them.
Many thanks to those who do stop and wait without any law telling them to. They are people and bicycle friendly drivers, and are to be praised, because they are a very important part of bicycle friendliness, not just the bike lanes and paths, because they drive as if others mattered.
Although I would hesitate to compare police to Big brother, one usually asks where is a policeman when you need one. Big brother is not involved in traffic control, obviously, neither are enough police which should be used with the camera backup doing more widespread pedestrian crosswalk enforcement . They are not checking major intersections, as only a human is able to do, therefore too many violations are ignored.
Camera systems I have in mind have nothing to do with snapping a photo for offender drivers to be mailed a ticket by mail. That won’t work, but it might have to, just for that particular purpose-catching those running the red lights. These drivers require immediate attention, and its too easy to pay a fine and simply go on putting other people at risk. The reality is that there are way more idiots behind the wheel than on bikes.
Finally, to those who cry waaa because they see bicyclists as free to use the streets, while they pay dearly for the privilege, again I say, that’s too bad. You can also freely ride a bike to save money, fuel, and make less pollution, and less demand for destroying more wetlands and living creatures, just to save a few minutes for your “convenience.” Perhaps putting yourself in the bicycle seat would provide a real wake-up, when your heart goes up into your throat as a pickup truck runs a stop sign, and you almost go over the handlebars to stop in time!
Some also have complained about the cost of paved bike trails, built with matching federal money. I believe they are a very good investment because the newer concrete paths are so well constructed, it’s possible they could last for over one hundred years or more, while the streets drivers use will deteriorate much sooner from heavy vehicle traffic. Any projects which keep wide separation between cars, trucks and bicycles and joggers, is a good use of money–that is if being “bicycle friendly”, and then putting one’s money where the mouth is–then becomes the solution.
My freedom to use pedal power as transportation is not a privilege given to me by the DMV-it is a right, as my freedom to travel; and for me, a necessity, as I no longer can afford to drive. and I will never, ever surrender that right to those who would force upon myself and other bikers any license or registration schemes.
Every bike trip I take puts my life at risk on these streets, because too many drivers are not paying attention, and are only thinking about themselves, or their cell phones, etc., more so than their manners, brake pedal, and steering wheels. I take the risks, I eat the road dust, I breathe the exhaust fumes, and I eventually get to my destination using hard physical work, isn’t that enough?
If anyone would like to read “Guidelines for Public Video Surveillance: A Guide to Protecting Communities and Preserving Civil Liberties,” go to:http://www.constitutionproject.org/pdf/Video_Surveillance_Guidelines_Report_w_Model_Legislation2.pdf
I just read the news report car hits teen near Marist H.S., and I’m balling my eyes out. My heartfelt prayers healing and concern go out to both Jaclyn and Kristy.
May 13, 2008
In the following months after writing this, a bewildering string of deadly hit-and-runs took the lives of one Oregon citizen after another; pedestrians, bicyclers, and motorcyclists alike were killed, and left for dead. Some drivers were caught, but other cases remain under investigation.
