Drunk drivers slammed after two cyclists killed

[Emjay]

The driver was wrong, but it is interesting how difficult it is to get people to take personal responsibility for themselves. Most cyclists and joggers seem to think that the rules of the road apply to cars but not joggers or cyclists.

Both parties were in the wrong, but the outcome would have been severely different if the accused (allegedly) had not been speeding and drinking.

Rules of the road are broken by all users of the road --> from motorists, cyclists, runners and pedestrians. This is really a moot point. I bet you break plenty rules which seem insignificant. We all do.

 

[Ancalagon]

Both parties were in the wrong, but the outcome would have been severely different if the accused (allegedly) had not been speeding and drinking.

Rules of the road are broken by all users of the road --> from motorists, cyclists, runners and pedestrians. This is really a moot point. I bet you break plenty rules which seem insignificant. We all do.

Not on the road, I don't. Not when a pedestrian and not when driving. I feel strongly about the rules of the road, for this very reason. They are there to protect you.

If either one of the cyclists or the motorist obeyed the rules of this road, this would not have happened. It took both of them breaking the rules at the same time for this to happen.

 

[Kloofvreter]

And the situation becomes dire if DUI or vehicle isn't roadworthy.

Yep

It's the responsibility of someone drive upwards of a ton of rapidly moving metal which can inflict lethal injury on anyone it hits, is attention to your surroundings really too much to ask for the convenience of owning a car? Not saying pedestrians aren't often at fault, especially those crossing the road on freeways - but these where cyclists moving with the direction of travel -is is really that hard to not hit them?

Sorry, the despairing of humanity wasn't pointed directly at you.

How inconvenient that an operator of a 2 ton piece of machinery is expected to pay attention to what they point it at.

It's my opinion that the most vulnerable party should take the best precautions.

 

[Solarion]

The incident occurred on the M4 highway leading out of the city in February last year and sparked a public outcry.

Cycling on the M4, one of the most dangerous roads in Durban.

Congratulations Einsteins.

 

[access]

some people think they have right of way as soon as they wear their tight cycling outfit. in their mind its like a pass to cycle where and how they want.

 

[Kloofvreter]

some people think they have right of way as soon as they wear their tight cycling outfit. in their mind its like a pass to cycle where and how they want.

Yeah, cyclists blatantly jumping STOP streets and red traffic lights. Jissis. But I have to admit, it's been a while since I encountered cyclists not riding single file and actually being in my way.

 

[access]

Yeah, cyclists blatantly jumping STOP streets and red traffic lights. Jissis. But I have to admit, it's been a while since I encountered cyclists not riding single file and actually being in my way.

this is very true, i have noticed a difference in the majority of cyclist behaviour i come across, here and there i get a group of people, also i have found them to be foreign lately, if i can hear their chatter passing them.

 

[pinball wizard]

this is very true, i have noticed a difference in the majority of cyclist behaviour i come across, here and there i get a group of people, also i have found them to be foreign lately, if i can hear their chatter passing them.

Lots of continental pros still come here for early season training if that helps. You might even have seen someone marginally famous

 

[Emjay]

Not on the road, I don't. Not when a pedestrian and not when driving. I feel strongly about the rules of the road, for this very reason. They are there to protect you.

If either one of the cyclists or the motorist obeyed the rules of this road, this would not have happened. It took both of them breaking the rules at the same time for this to happen.

Agreed that both broke the rules. But, the driver is more culpable, and should be punished for his crime. The cyclists paid dearly.

Just some of the rules that are broken daily, which even I am guilty of a few:

- Not completely stopping at a Stop street;
- Not yielding at a pedestrian crossing, nor slowing down while approaching a crossing;
- Not stopping before the pedestrian crossing before traffic lights;
- Driving over single solid white lines;
- Not obeying temporary traffic signs;
- Not giving way to cyclists or pedestrians when they have right of way;
- Speeding;
- Unsafe following distances;
- Jumping over / not stopping as traffic lights turn red;
- Fiddling on mobile devices / not using a hands-free technology (stumps me that some people in expensive cars cannot afford this);
- Not checking blind spots;
- Driving in emergency lanes / on the shoulder of the road.

Just saying we all break the "lesser" rules of the road.

 

[Kloofvreter]

The cyclists paid dearly.

Unfortunately they are not alive now to let this be a lesson to them.

 

[pinball wizard]

Agreed that both broke the rules. But, the driver is more culpable, and should be punished for his crime. The cyclists paid dearly.

Just some of the rules that are broken daily, which even I am guilty of a few:

- Not completely stopping at a Stop street;
- Not yielding at a pedestrian crossing, nor slowing down while approaching a crossing;
- Not stopping before the pedestrian crossing before traffic lights;
- Driving over single solid white lines;
- Not obeying temporary traffic signs;
- Not giving way to cyclists or pedestrians when they have right of way;
- Speeding;
- Unsafe following distances;
- Jumping over / not stopping as traffic lights turn red;
- Fiddling on mobile devices / not using a hands-free technology (stumps me that some people in expensive cars cannot afford this);
- Not checking blind spots;
- Driving in emergency lanes / on the shoulder of the road.

Just saying we all break the "lesser" rules of the road.

To borrow that fancy phase from the Oscar trial, the driver should have foreseen the consequences of his actions.

 

[Kloofvreter]

To borrow that fancy phase from the Oscar trial, the driver should have foreseen the consequences of his actions.

The cyclists should have foreseen the consequences of their actions. What are the reasons cyclists and pedestrians are not allowed on these roads?

 

[pinball wizard]

The cyclists should have foreseen the consequences of their actions. What are the reasons cyclists and pedestrians are not allowed on these roads?

Dunno why you are trying to defend drunken scum. But I'm out.

 

[Kloofvreter]

Dunno why you are trying to defend drunken scum. But I'm out.

I'm not, I'm agreeing with MJ. We can't pretend that the cyclists weren't also in the wrong and should have been aware of the consequences. But be out if you want to.

 

[Emjay]

Lots of continental pros still come here for early season training if that helps. You might even have seen someone marginally famous

I got to ride with Chris Froome this weekend for about 20km. I burnt some major matches, and ruined the rest of my ride, but was completely worth it.

For those that don't know, Chris Froome has won Tour De France four times and other very prominent races. Very cool guy. He loads all his rides to Strava, which generates a lot of attention for South Africa.

 

[pinball wizard]

I got to ride with Chris Froome this weekend for about 20km. I burnt some major matches, and ruined the rest of my ride, but was completely worth it.

For those that don't know, Chris Froome has won Tour De France four times and other very prominent races. Very cool guy. He loads all his rides to Strava, which generates a lot of attention for South Africa.

Did you ask to borrow his asthma pump?

 

[Emjay]

Did you ask to borrow his asthma pump?

Haha. He didn't use it once. He is actually an awesome guy. Don't think he deserves the crap he is getting at the moment.

He rides with a support vehicle, so I am sure he is pissing off plenty of motorists around Gauteng.

 

[Barbarian Conan]

And as to the drunk driving but, were those 4 ciders Savannah Lights? If not, then he was probably over the limit.

He was driving at 5am. Lets assume he only went out at 11pm, that's more than enough time to get the alcohol out of his system.

https://www.myvmc.com/tools/blood-alcohol-concentration-calculator/

 

[M_Kat]

"I did not see them" hhmm because you were falling asleep from all that sauce?

As an avid rider myself, Its rare that i see cyclists cycling in the early morning without their reflective apparel, front-back led lights flashing and those lights are hard to miss if you're actually paying attention to the road.

Some people will defend/find excuses for drunk drivers because they have not seriously affected their own lives on a personal level.

Anyways i seriously hope this guy goes down.

 

[Kloofvreter]

"I did not see them" hhmm because you were falling asleep from all that sauce?

As an avid rider myself, Its rare that i see cyclists cycling in the early morning without their reflective apparel, front-back led lights flashing and those lights are hard to miss if you're actually paying attention to the road.

Some people will defend/find excuses for drunk drivers because they have not seriously affected their own lives on a personal level.

Anyways i seriously hope this guy goes down.

Who's defending drunken drivers?