California road rage trial to start this week.

Donto - 2009-10-12 4:09 PM Hey thanks, was wondering about this.

So does he make a plea or get his verdict from a jury?

Any idea if there are civil actions against him?

tcovert - 2009-10-22 12:27 PM I'd be shocked if he wasn't convicted.  Given that the prior incident is also being prosecuted, the jurors would have to discount both the testimony of the officer at the scene, attesting to intent to cause harm, AND the testimony about the previous case, which indicates this isn't just some guy who'd finally had enough and just suddenly snapped, out of the blue.

tcovert - 2009-10-22 3:27 PM I'd be shocked if he wasn't convicted.  Given that the prior incident is also being prosecuted, the jurors would have to discount both the testimony of the officer at the scene, attesting to intent to cause harm, AND the testimony about the previous case, which indicates this isn't just some guy who'd finally had enough and just suddenly snapped, out of the blue.

RiverRat50 - 2009-10-22 7:13 PM The cyclists showed poor judgement...but that is not an excuse for assault with a deadly weapon, which I assume this is...

I hope the doc does time. No excuse.

So, I usually ride alone, what are the general laws about 2 abreast, 3 abreast etc? Is it law to ride single file? Either way I certainly enjoyed touring in Nova Scotia. WOW the drivers were SO polite...to be balanced by today when I was running (brick)...was off the road on the grass. Guy in truck has eye contact with me and does a "little swerve" towards me...what an ultra-maroon!

blairrob - 2009-10-22 3:58 PM

Even in Nova Scotia you certainly have run ins, usually in rural areas with a car/truck full of teens. I'm glad you experience here was positive. The best place I've ever ridden was France where drivers have true respect for cyclists and give them a wide berth. Fellow motorists, however, might get 6 inches going in opposite directions at 80 KM/H on a narrow road. That is frightening.

I don't get this Doc in California. I suspect he needs come counseling and I know the cyclists need to wake up and ride smarter.

 from the Ottawa cycling club-

  Traffic and road conditions dictate when to ride single file. If motorists are experiencing difficulty passing the pack because of heavy and continuous traffic in the opposite direction, the pack leader will decide whether conditions merit changing to single file. The key factor is the width of the roadway or lane. It may be safer to hold up traffic if there is insufficient width for it to pass comfortably. Riding single file may not benefit either cyclists or motorists—it doubles the length of the pack and this could make passing more hazardous because of poor sight distances. Although it is important to try to accommodate the needs of other road users, riders’ safety must never be compromised purely for the convenience of motorists. When single file is called, the inside riders put a bike length between them and the bike in front. The outside riders then move in ahead of the rider on the right. As soon as the heavy traffic has passed the pack should revert to double file.

tcovert - 2009-10-28 10:40 AM

Most cyclists in CA don't seem to realize it, but the law here ultimately mandates single file riding (what the law actually mandates is that cyclists in the roadway ride to the right of the lane at all times, unless that would present a hazard).  Personally, as a motorist and as a cyclist, it does irritate the heck out of me when cyclists are riding two abreast...ran into that on my ride this morning and had to veer out into traffic to pass two a-holes who were cruising along chatting side-by-side on a busy thoroughfare.  Not irritated enough to want to "teach them a lesson", but if you do that in front of the wrong psycho motorist, you may be pouring gas on a fire.  Just saying...