Touring - Cyclist hit in Fargo, ND.

Drunk driver hits cyclist on tour. (http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/240352/) Anyone here?

Sounds like the guy is "ok", but damn, be safe everyone.

allegedly hit Loaiza at about 11:10 p.m

I hope the cyclist is OK and that the driver gets his driving license canceled for life.

That said, one way to be safe is not to ride at 11:10pm whether you have "safety lights" or not.

I never ride past dusk.

Ray

That said, one way to be safe is not to ride at 11:10pm whether you have "safety lights" or not.
I tend to think dusk and dawn are the worst and that visibility is quite good at night if riding with lights, maybe even better than in the daytime, at least on rural roads.

With lights visibility may be better at night...

but the drivers on the road are more likely to be drunk or sleepy I suppose.

I'm safe. I'm always asleep at 11pm.

With lights visibility may be better at night...

but the drivers on the road are more likely to be drunk or sleepy I suppose.

Yes, but IMO it's not as bad as dealing with impatient commuters on their cellphones during rush hours of 5-7 am to work, then 7-9 am to school (forget the bus-kids are all driven now by mom), then 2-3pm return from school, then 4-6 pm return from work.

I am fairly sure that I am more visible in a dark area with my 4+4 lights than I am during the day with hi-viz yellow jersey.

I was hit once by a driver (fortunately minor - no damage or injury) who immediately drove away, and he damn sure knew he hit me. Found out later he was an alchy - a sad case. Unfortunately there's quite a few of them out driving around. I try to treat each motorist as a potential killer - since they are!

Time of day has little to do with this accident. Unfortunately, drunk drivers are out there 24/7 They're ability to drive is just as impaired at midnight as it is at high noon.

Not only are drivers tired at 11:00p. cyclists are likely to be tired, too.

My experience is that many accidents take place when cyclists push the boundary of "prudent" - which of course has a wide range of definitions. Let me say, that in this case and in many others - the driver appears to be at fault. And I do not, in any way, imply otherwise. However, since cyclists are more likely to bear the brunt of any accident with motor vehicles, it is incumbent upon cyclists to err on the side of prudence.

Yes, there are times when I find myself behind schedule and pushing on after dark - but they are extremely rare. I also avoid riding on holiday weekends - when people are likely to be drinking. Add to that lakes and reservoirs with partying folks. Years ago I had a car towing a boat try to pass on a hill. There was almost a head-on collision and the boat went airborne over my head. as I was face down in the ditch.

I read somewhere that 2/3 of the drivers after 11pm are driving at least a little impaired.