Life Paint. Make sure your seen.

You have to give it to Volvo....a car company thinking about vulnerable road users safety!  Part of me wants to say it's just a crutch for drivers who aren't paying attention....making it the pedestrians or cyclists job (and cost) to be safe. 

However, in the end it is about making sure no vulnerable road users get killed.  It's only available in the UK right now, but Volvo says it will increase production if the demand is there.

Bad day for bicycles and pedestrians!

Two summarized posts from New 4 about a pedestrian and a bicyclist who were hit by cars early this morning. 

Reno, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com)-- Washoe County North Sergeant says a pedestrian was struck by a car at the intersection of Sierra Street and Putnam Drive at about 12:30 a.m. on August 17, 2012. 
       
The 21-year-old woman was walking across the street when she was struck by a jeep. The driver of the jeep fled the scene.
       
The victim was treated on the scene with non life-threatening injuries. 

Police are investigating the accident. The vehicle is described as light colored, with no license plate and a dark colored soft top. Witnesses say the driver was male and had dark, shaggy hair, and that he did get out of his car and almost approach the victim before getting back in his car and taking off.  

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 Reno, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com)-- Reno Watch Commander says a bicyclist was struck by a car while in a crosswalk at the intersection of 6th street and Sierra Street at about 1:30 a.m. on August 17, 2012.
        
The driver fled the scene. The vehicle is described as a 1990s black Ford Explorer.
        
The bicyclist suffered minor injuries and was not taken to the hospital.

Keep an eye out for vehicles matching these and give the cops a call if you think you seem them.  In both cases the stand up citizens behind the wheel fled the scene rather than try to help the person they hit!  True scum bag excuses for human beings....to bad that the punishment for such incidents is so light (if they are ever caught).  Time to step up the vulnerable road uses laws yet again.

How safe are your neighborhood steets?

The Guardian (UK) just posted a map that sends a chill down my spine.  It shows the 369,629 people who died on America's roads between 2001 and 2009. I think about things like this every time I opt to take Mill St. to work rather than the river path.  I know it only takes one driver on a cell phone or hunting for a radio station to drift into the bike lane and add me to this map.  I guess it's why we have a new law that tries to protect "vulnerable road users".  


It does raise the question of why I ride Mill St. occasionally.  It might be silly...but I think the drivers improve around cyclists when they see them more regularly.  I also believe it helps them appreciate some of the local road diets if they see an uptick in cyclists using the lanes.  I'm not sure if I could prove either case based on my lone self riding through the winter, but I can hope.  On a lighter note....happy thanksgiving!