None Three cyclists were injured yesterday on Highway 75 near Morris when a vehicle struck them from behind.
Morris RCMP reported charges of imprudent driving have been laid against a Minnesota driver in connection with the incident.
RCMP Const. Stephane Paris said a group of seven cyclists on a day trip from Winnipeg were southbound on Highway 75 when they were approached from behind by a white Toyota Corolla with Minnesota plates.
The vehicle struck one of the cyclists from behind, sending him airborne, Paris said.
The cyclist then struck two other cyclists, who were thrown from their bikes, Paris said.
It appears the driver was suffering from fatigue, and did not see the cyclists until it was too late to avoid them, Paris said.
The driver failed to safely pass the cyclists, even though it was a stretch of divided highway where he had an open passing lane, he added.
"Speed was not a factor but the driver was under extreme fatigue," said Paris. "He didn't fall asleep, but he wasn't paying attention to what he was doing." One of the cyclists was taken to Health Sciences Centre and is listed in stable condition. A female cyclist was taken to Morris Hospital, and is also listed in stable condition. The third cyclist was treated in Morris and released.
genec
04-18-05, 11:06 AM
Wow, a group of cyclists were not seen...
I think this just goes to show that there is little in the method of riding that a cyclist can do to increase visiblity when dealing with tired motorists.
Helmet Head
04-18-05, 11:11 AM
I agree. But, this is a very rare type of collision.
It is not impossible, though very unlikely, that a plane will crash today.
It is not impossible, though very unlikely, that a cyclist will be hit from behind today.
Does that mean we should all not get on airplanes and not ride our bikes vehicularly?
webist
04-18-05, 11:50 AM
Does that mean we should all not get on airplanes and not ride our bikes vehicularly?
Why would we leap to such a conclusion? I am pleased that accidents involving cyclists are considered newsworthy. I didn't detect any particular advocacy in the article or in the poster's intent. It was just a story.
genec
04-18-05, 12:40 PM
Why would we leap to such a conclusion? I am pleased that accidents involving cyclists are considered newsworthy. I didn't detect any particular advocacy in the article or in the poster's intent. It was just a story.
The advocacy issue comes from this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=99600) where at least one cyclist believes that riding in a certain manner increases your visiblity. There is another thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=98202) that also deals with similar issues of isolated cyclists and motorists.
Some cycling method advocates believe their method would increase visiblity to motorists in such situations, in spite of the fact that the drivers that are tired and sleepy have crossed the center lines, hit trees and/or have plunged off of high cliffs, caused head on collisions... etc.
Sadly, little can be done by anyone else on the road with such a sleeping motorist.
galen_52657
04-18-05, 12:50 PM
There are some things you just have no control over. Drunk drivers and drivers falling asleep are 2 of them. You could be in you living room and get hit by either.
jeff-o
04-18-05, 12:57 PM
One thing's for sure, I don't think you'll ever find a sleepy cyclist, though they may be suffering from fatigue if they're climbing a hill... ;)
John E
04-18-05, 01:18 PM
One thing's for sure, I don't think you'll ever find a sleepy cyclist, ...
Check out some of the stories and videotapes of the Race Across AMerica, Jeff.
John E
04-18-05, 01:23 PM
There are some things you just have no control over. Drunk drivers and drivers falling asleep are 2 of them. ...
True, but we can do some global, indirect things to improve our odds. For example, I am a dues-paying member of MADD, an organization which I believe has helped reduce the occurrence of drunk driving. Likewise, others can join me in lobbying for stricter accountability for motorists, including penalties for falling asleep at the wheel.
operator
04-18-05, 01:24 PM
Check out some of the stories and videotapes of the Race Across AMerica, Jeff.
TPIWWL (This post is worthless without links)
John E
04-18-05, 01:28 PM
TPIWWL (This post is worthless without links)
For the uninitiated: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/
slvoid
04-18-05, 01:35 PM
I watched a 2 hour special on the RAAM and they had some guy who couldn't keep his neck up and had to have the back of his helmet bungeed to the back of his saddle. Someone else was so tired he couldn't stand up, others were swerving all over the road.
But it's completely asinine to say that most regular commuters face this. Getting on the bike gets your heart pumping and wakes you up. Sitting in a warm car with a vibrating seat only puts you to sleep.
The best thing you can do if you're on the road is use both active and passive visibility. Wear a bright jersey, have bright bags, use front and rear lights. In addition to a solid light, run a blinking light on the back to get people's attention. Most people don't want to run you over on purpose, it's just that they're so stoned behind the wheel that the normally don't notice you until it's too late. Try to catch their attention from as far back as possible.
pseudobrit
04-18-05, 02:30 PM
There are some things you just have no control over. Drunk drivers and drivers falling asleep are 2 of them. You could be in you living room and get hit by either.
Also, this article thankfully does not tell us where the cyclists were travelling in the lane.
In a case like this, it really doesn't matter where you're travelling and I'm glad the article doesn't allow one side or the other to claim it as proof of their theory.
With a driver who won't see you because of impairment, you're just as likely to be hit from behind in the lane or the shoulder, on a bike, walking or in another car.
larue
04-18-05, 04:00 PM
One thing's for sure, I don't think you'll ever find a sleepy cyclist, though they may be suffering from fatigue if they're climbing a hill... ;)
You've never heard of bonking have you Jeff?
Crazy Cyclist
04-18-05, 04:25 PM
HI Travis, I was just going to post this. No wonder the cyclist were not seen, the driver had his eyes closed due to fatigue