Cyclists - Report Unsafe Drivers
Oct. 5th, 2004 10:01 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
potentialtoburn.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
davis_squareI was in an incident this morning while biking to work. A driver turned, accelerating into me, pushing me off Holland St, but then he took off before I could talk to him. His plate was 608YVG. It was an older white compact hatchback. If anyone sees this car, text or call me so I can get a better description of it. 8579284850
If you have an incident with road-rage or unsafe drivers, use this form to report the incident. It does help. http://www.state.ma.us/rmv/forms/21171.pdf
bike on.
If you have an incident with road-rage or unsafe drivers, use this form to report the incident. It does help. http://www.state.ma.us/rmv/forms/21171.pdf
bike on.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-10-05 10:18 am (UTC)This has happened too many times. I am in the crosswalk. I am already crossing the street. And the driver who is being "inconvenienced" by me daring to exercise my right of way feels the need to honk and/or call me names. Names directed towards me. Not, "Arrgh stupid pedestrians!" but "hey you fucking cunt get out of the street!" (yes, this has been yelled). Add to this that the person yelling is in 3000 lbs of SUV and I am in Converse, and that the person yelling is, 9/10 times, a man and I am a woman. Do I feel threatened? Hell yes. And why am I the target of this verbal abuse?
Because I was in the crosswalk.
You can put any spin you want on that; it's harrassment. If you think it isn't then you haven't experienced it first-hand.
Take for example, Sunday night, Elm Street by the Star Market. I am halfway across the street, in the crosswalk, near White Street, heading towards Porter Sq. T. When I started, there were no cars approaching, but by the time I reach the center line, a cab has appeared (driving, obviously, much too fast) and, rather than yielding for the person who is already in the crosswalk (had he been looking, which apparently he was not, he would have seen me. I have about 10 reflectors on my shoulder-bag, which he was positioned to clearly see), he guns it through the crosswalk, inches in front of me, and then honks.
This is the sort of thing I am talking about. This incident didn't involve verbal abuse, but it did involve a "professional" driver, which is also rather scary...
Now, if I'd been jaywalking, yeah, I'd have deserved it. But I was in the process of crossing, in the crosswalk.
Anyway. I have work to do.
Thank you,
no subject
Date: 2004-10-05 10:56 am (UTC)i think whatever the case, drivers many times do not look out for those the vulnerable around them. it may be out of ignorance, but when they verbally attack in anger, i will in whatever way that either increases my safety or forces them to think about their actions. car-punchers unite! ; ))
no subject
Date: 2004-10-05 11:05 am (UTC)LOL we should start a community (like there aren't enough on LJ)!
no subject
Date: 2004-10-05 11:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-05 12:24 pm (UTC)I'll keep that in mind, the prettying...of course, my journal is unchanged since 2001...when I was laid off! :-)
no subject
Date: 2004-10-07 08:45 am (UTC)http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=carpunchers
no subject
Date: 2004-10-07 02:15 pm (UTC)Since this community seems to be more sympathetic to your unfortunate run-in, I'm choosing to reply here - it is my opinion that, despite any 'near misses' between cars, pedestrians, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, skateboards or any thing else, NO ONE has the legal right to strike anyone or anyone else's property with thier open or closed hand, or with in/animate objects to "teach them a lesson" or to "make them aware" or under any other guise of "education".
That being said, I can certainly understand and appreicate the 'want', 'need' (or I'll even go so far as to say 'obligation') or otherwise to make it clear to the alleged offender that that behaviour is not ok: HOWEVER, that should ALSO mean that "you" as the concerned party should endeavor to be as aware, unobstructed , and conscientious as possible.
Of course, in the real world, neither is always 100% possible.
My point? Pick your battles wisely. Failing that, think about "what if this was my grandmother's car? would I want someone punching it?"
Anyway, I hope I was clear with my point. :) Good luck on the bike.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-07 02:19 pm (UTC)heh, your icon makes me want to friend you so i can see it over and over.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-07 03:56 pm (UTC)And, Unfortunately, I get that response a lot. :/ However, if you want to friend me _regardless_ of my LJ icon, feel free. :)