Originally Posted by peripatetic
The reason that there are not mirrors or other, additional safety devices on these trucks is because, sad to say, no one has yet been held accountable for the lack of safety. You only get safety devices on trucks when a precedent-setting tort is filed, and there is sufficient media coverage of alleged negligence (it doesn't have to be real negligence, just the kind that makes your average joe freak out when he reads the Daily Post); in this case, that would probably be the family suing the maker of the truck. You only get changes in laws when there is enough public outcry over a continually recurring type of incident to make legislators (i.e. elected representatives) pass a law about it. Unfortunately, with comments like the one in the article by the police officer, that's not going to happen anytime soon.
I would say that here, in NYC, I've been cut off many times by drivers on the right side who knew I was going straight, but insisted on passing, boxing me in, and then turning. bostontrevor, I agree with your analysis, but I have to say that there is absolutely zero respect for cyclist's rights here in NY, and drivers and pedestrians are amazingly hostile towards us. I only started cycling--both here in NY and generally--about 8 months ago, and as someone who was quite assiduous in learning proper laws/regulations and practices, I've been amazed at how little non-cyclists and cyclists alike understand about riding rights on the roads. The problem definitely stems from an ignorance that is being reinforced by an apathetic and at times malicious police force, and a public who continues to think that there is something inherently suicidal about getting on a two-wheeled, self-powered vehicle. The only thing that comforts me in all of this is that Transportation Alternatives even exists here. Personally, I do my best to help friends who want to ride to learn how to ride safely, but so many of them are week-end riders and think that all there is to know about riding a bike is how to use the brakes and how to keep your balance. A public campaign to educate everyone could really help. One thing I've been surprised at here is how there are no educational programs for teaching people to ride in the streets and obey traffic laws and rules of the road. That would certainly help a lot of cyclists, and it seems ridiculous that there isn't something of the sort in this most socialist of American cities.
These incidents are really starting to bother me, though.
My sincerest condolences to friends and family of Andrew.