Old 08-20-13 | 09:28 AM
  #137  
PlanoFuji
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Plano, TX

Bikes: 1982 Fuji Supreme, Specialized 2012 Roubaix Compact. 1981? Raleigh Reliant mixte, Velo Orange Campeur (in progress)

Originally Posted by Roody
Ok you're right, I did focus too much on one thing you said. I'm sorry about that. Besides requiring education plus mandatory testing and licensing, you also want more enforcement and tougher punishments. Your three part plan might help to reduce crashes. My concern with the last part is that road users would be angered by getting more tickets, and this could increase bad blood between cyclists and motorists.

If they started enforcing existing laws more heavily, I guess motorists would get more tickets for failure to yield and unsafe overtaking. Cyclists would probably go down for running stop signs, riding too far to the left, and riding on sidewalks (where prohibited). Is this what you're thinking also?
By simply enforcing existing laws more stridently, motorists would most likely be receiving tickets for speeding more than any other violation. They can hardly blame anyone else for that. For cyclists, it is likely that failures to stop/yield at traffic control devices would be at the top of list of infractions received.

Since you are now being reasonable I will answer the question as to why one of my three factors would be licensing cyclists in addition to other road users. Some (perhaps most) cyclists already have a driver's license and my proposal is not really about them, but rather those who do not have a license and have never demonstrated any knowledge of the rules of the road. I do believe that all users of the roads should have proven knowledge of those rules--and yes I believe that the added safety is obvious between those who demonstrably know and understand the rules and those that don't.

Another aspect of the three factors was periodic retesting of ALL road users. It is a given in all licensed professional fields that periodic recertification or continuing education are requirements for remaining licensed. The purpose is readily apparrent; knowledge fades if not refreshed, and disciplines evolve. Current knowledge is key, and to maintain that continuing effort is required. I believe the same applies to road rules, particularly concerning new control devices and changes to the laws. Further, mandatory retesting including the eye exams should have obvious safety benefits to anyone who has used the roads in retirement communities like Florida.
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