[Carfreeliving] Pedestrian Dragged 40 feet in Sunset

[Mike Sallaberry]

I think that behavior will change the most when a) motorists really try 
walking or cycling and thus become more aware of people on foot or on the 
bike when they choose to drive or b) the number of cyclists are increased 
to the point that everyone knows one, and thus think twice about speeding 
right by a cyclist or honking at one for taking the lane.

a) can be partially implemented by punishing negligent drivers by taking 
away their license more frequently.  I hope that the woman who hit me gets 
this penalty, among other penalties.  Apparently I am officially 
considered a "victim of violent crime"...perhaps law enforcement needs to 
use this designation more often when people are hurt or threatened by 
negligent motorists.




Hitesh Soneji <koolkwote at yahoo.com> 
Sent by: Carfreeliving-bounces at livablecity.org
03/15/2005 03:28 PM

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Re: [Carfreeliving] Pedestrian Dragged 40 feet in Sunset






The key here is responsible use of a vehicle. The blatant
lack of proper judgment in terms of when a car is necessary
for transit, and the poor habits people have developed when
using their cars is very disturbing.

Given that we are working slowly towards a better
transit/bike/walk infrastructure (which we hope will
eventually get more people unglued from their car seats) the
more pressing questions are:

1) What are the real repercussions to injuring anyone while
behind the wheel? Why are these penalties not greater? How do
we make the appropriate legislative changes or persuade DA's
to pursue these avenues of prosecution?

2) How do we change overall driver behavior? Some people are
going to be driving no matter what we do or build to enable
car free living. How do we change their behavior? How do we
get drivers to be conscious of the danger they pose?

I don't have the answers, but it would be great to brainstorm
some ideas and implementation schemes.

Hitesh Soneji
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