[Vision2020] Moscow Sidewalk/Crosswalk Bicycle/Pedestrian Accidents & Code

[Ted Moffett]

I don't know what further charges could be made against the driver of the
car who struck these pedestrians in the crosswalk.  But those operating cars
and trucks are in effect in control of what can be described as a weapon
that can easily kill... The casual often distracted or careless attitude of
many drivers as they assume control over the safety and lives of others on
highways, streets, sidewalks and crosswalks, is alarming.  The death toll on
the highways justifies the alarm.  And given cars and trucks cross sidewalks
at "drive-ins," sidewalks are not as safe as some might assume...

As is obvious, the close proximity of those using human powered
transportation (which includes those walking) with cars and trucks in
operation on streets and highways, sidewalks and crosswalks, is a dangerous
situation, regardless of what laws are in place.  But current laws covering
these situations appears seriously flawed.

The Boise City Council, and the Idaho legislature (read info on this here:
http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/2010-February/068600.html ),
recently addressed this problem focusing on changes to bicycle related code,
inspired in part by the recent deaths of several bicyclists in Idaho.  But I
think the law should be crafted broadly to cover what might be termed,
"human powered transportation," pedestrians, bicycles, skateboards, roller
blades, runners, and so forth.

1)  All persons using human powered transportation on sidewalks (with
drive-ins for vehicles) and crosswalks, and of course bicycles on streets
and highways sharing the road with cars and trucks, should be required to
carry artificial light (viewable front, back and sides) between sunset and
sunrise.  The current Idaho code only indicates bicycles and motor
vehicles should carry artificial light, as far as I have determined.  But
runners, skateboarders, rollerbladers, etc. can sometimes be moving faster
than bicycles, while their movement might be more sudden and erratic; and
are subject to just as much risk from a collision with a car or truck in
crosswalks or on sidewalks with drive-ins..  Why are they not required to
carry artificial light at night?  I don't perceive any good reason why they
should not be required... If the pedestrians in the recent car/pedestrian
accident were carrying light (the accident was at night, it appears, "2104
hours"), the accident might have been avoided.

2)  Given the advantages cars and trucks have in speed (even in 25 mph zones
cars are often moving much faster than most all using human powered
transportation), mass and lighting capability, over those using human
powered transportation, and the odds of serous injuries to those hit while
using human powered transportation, it seems reasonable to craft the law to
assign extra responsibility to drivers of motor vehicles to take extra "due
care" that a crosswalk or sidewalk is not occupied, or in a second or two
about to be occupied, by a person using human powered transportation.

I am not saying that the law should always blame the driver of a motor
vehicle if they hit someone using human powered transportation in a
crosswalk or sidewalk; but cars and trucks have lighting capability that
should always at night be able to illuminate a sidewalk or crosswalk to
allow seeing someone.  And if the visibility of the crosswalk or sidewalk is
so poor that it is difficult to determine whether these areas are in use,
the motor vehicle driver should assume extra caution when crossing a
crosswalk or sidewalk.  Even during daylight, if a driver of a car or truck
cannot be sure, due to the view of the whole crosswalk being blocked, for
example, by a large truck in an adjacent lane, that a crosswalk or sidewalk
is not occupied, the driver should slow or stop till they can be sure the
crosswalk is not occupied.

The speed of motor vehicles often makes avoiding an impending collision much
more difficult for those using human powered transportation, thus the
increased responsibility that should be aimed at drivers of cars and trucks
to take extra "due care" they are not endangering the public.

As to how the code should be written to address these issues, the legal
eagles have the expertise...
------------------------------------------
Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett

On 2/16/10, Art Deco <deco at moscow.com> wrote:
>
>  I hope that more serious charges than inattentive driving are brought and
> vigorously pursued.
>
> How many more of these incidents are going to occur before the MPD and the
> city attorney decide that traffic law enforcement needs a lot more attention
> and vigor?
>
> Wayne A. Fox
> 1009 Karen Lane
> PO Box 9421
> Moscow, ID  83843
>
> waf at moscow.com
> 208 882-7975
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Stephanie Kalasz <skalasz at ci.moscow.id.us>
> *To:* v2020 <vision2020 at moscow.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 16, 2010 9:17 AM
> *Subject:* [Vision2020] MPD Press Release
>
>
>
> MOSCOW POLICE DEPARTMENT
>
> 118 East 4th Street
>
> Moscow, Idaho 83843
>
> Tel: 208-882-COPS    Fax: 208-882-4020
>
>
>
>
> *PRESS RELEASE*
>
>
>
> February 15, 2010
>
>
>
> On Sunday, February 14, 2010, at 2104 hours, Moscow Police, Fire and
> Volunteer Ambulance Service were dispatched to a traffic accident with
> injuries at the intersection of Sixth and Asbury Streets. Whitcom dispatch
> advised three pedestrians were struck by a vehicle at this location.
>
>
>
> Officers observed two women on the north sidewalk in a prone position being
> attended to by two males upon their arrival.  These women were identified as
> Rachel Price (W/F 19 years old of Moscow) and Ericka Brown W/F 18 year old
> of Moscow).  Rachel Price complained of head and elbow injuries.  Ericka
> Brown complained of lower back and hip injuries.  The male attending to
> Brown, Ryan Stewart (W/M 18 year old of Pullman) stated he had also been
> struck but did not require medical attention at this time.
>
>
>
> Officers determined a Silver 1993 Toyota Camry driven by Travis Hartshorn
> (W/M 20 years old of Moscow) was driving east on 6th Street.  Hartshorn
> attempted to turn north (left) on Asbury when he struck the three
> pedestrians who were walking west in the marked crosswalk along the north
> side of 6th Street at Asbury.  Brown and Price were stuck by the front of
> the Toyota as it was turning. Both Brown and Price come into contact with
> the hood and windshield of the Toyota before being ejected off onto the
> roadway.  Stewart stated his left leg was clipped by the left front of the
> Toyota at the same time it struck the two women.
>
>
>
> Rachel Price and Ericka Brown were transported to Gritman Medical Center by
> Moscow Volunteer Ambulance.  Travis Hartshorn was cited and released for
> inattentive driving and failure to provide current proof of liability
> insurance.
>
>
>
> Please contact A.C. Duke at 208-310-9254 for additional information.
>
>
>
>
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