Canadian motorists take note: if you see two cyclists riding side by side, you can kill them
From the article:
Police: Everybody at fault, no charges after car struck cyclists
Police investigating a weekend incident in North Saanich where about 15 bicyclists were knocked over by a passing car hit by another vehicle say all parties were in the wrong and no charges will be laid.
The cyclists violated the Motor Vehicle Act by riding side by side instead of single file, say Sidney-North Saanich RCMP. A silver Toyota heading west on Lands End Road tried to pass the cyclists in the oncoming lane and failed to safely complete the pass. A black Ford Focus that turned right off Greenpark Drive — which turns into Ravenscroft Place — hit the Toyota, and sent it crashing into the cyclists. The Focus driver failed to yield after a stop.
Now it looks as if the cyclists will be charged..
A group of Olympic hopefuls could be charged for failing to bicycle in single file after they were struck by a car on the weekend.
They were struck by a car passing them as they travelled west along Lands End Road during their weekly ride Saturday morning.
A cyclist travelling at the back of the pack, Kenyon Campbell, said a silver Toyota drove up behind the pack of about 20 cyclists, then went into the oncoming lane to pass them.
At the same time, a black Ford Focus ahead made a right turn from Ravenscroft Place. The Focus collided with the oncoming Toyota on its driver’s side, sending it careening into the cyclists, said Campbell.
But the cyclists, who witnesses reported to police were taking up a full lane of the road by riding two to four abreast, were in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act which says cyclists must ride single file, Swain said. “Anyone who contravenes the Motor Vehicle Act could face charges.”
Let’s play law school for a second.
What if you are jaywalking and I’m on a three-day bender with a loaded shot-gun I just lifted from the pawn shop. Angered by your jaywalking, I blow your head off. Both of us are at fault. Same result? Different? Why?
What if you are jaywalking and I’m on a three-day bender in an H2. I see you but I’m in too much of a hurry to stop so I run you down in the street. Both of us are at fault. Same result? Different? Why?
What if you are riding double-file and I am perfectly sober in my H2, but I don’t care to move aside and think I can pass you without killing you. But I am incorrect. Both of us are at fault, but I feel really bad about the whole thing. Same? Different? Why?
Hat tip to www.drunkcyclist.com.
–Erik Ryberg