Originally Posted by
Chris516
I doubt it will do any good. Because until motorists' realize cyclists' have the same rights' as motor vehicles(I know this is about a DUI death). Then equally, until law enforcement from the LEO all the way up to the judge, charges a motorist with the same charge/sentence as if a person in a motor vehicle had been, new laws n' legislation will only be a drop in the bucket. Sure there are sentencing guidelines. When a motorist kills another motorist or a pedestrian, motorists' usually will get the maximum penalty, or close to it. But when a motorist kills a cyclist who is exercising their right to be on the road, the motorist will usually receive a sentence that is the bare minimum under the sentencing guidelines. So unless the bias from not just the general public, but also from law enforcement stops. There will be no need for new laws.
Because attitudes need to change. Cyclists' are stuck in the middle.
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While it's named after a cyclist and obviously there is huge cyclist support for this, they would be smart to include as many allies as possible. Pedestrian advocacy groups, motorcycle associations, even AAA. Get all the players on board and proposals like this can become law.
I don't think naming it after a slain cyclist is smart. This needs to be a non-cyclist thing for it to have a real chance. And it sounds like the wording is: I don't see anything about it applying to cyclists only; it's poor form to market it as cycling advocacy; they need a coalition of road users on board for this to have a chance.
All fun and games, ranting about stuff online; kudos to this group for making it as far as a Legislative Proposal sponsored by state Reps.
But that statement about sentencing in cases of car crash resulting in death, got figures to back it up? Sentencing history for vehicular deaths where another motorist or pedestrian is concerned vs. those involving cyclists?