If this is the same event I read about, some FACTS my help clarify the situation.
The intersection had stop signs in two directions, and was unregulated (engineer speak for no light, stop or yield) in the other. The motorist was coming through the unregulated side and had right of way over the bicyclist who was obligated (by rules of the road) to stop, and/or at least yield. I'm willing to trust that had the motorist seen the cyclist in time she would have stopped rather than insist on her right to proceed.
So, legally fault was on the cyclist, and technically the motorist could file a claim for damages to the front end.
As for the traffic engineer's statement, that could be read two ways (you'll have to ask him).
1- either that there should have been all-way stops there, based on the area and traffic patterns.
2- as a general statement that road design cannot guaranty safety in and of itself. Some responsibility has to fall on users, regardless of their age.
Fir my part, I don't have enough info to determine the first, and regardless am 100% in agreement with the 2nd.
Nobody likes to blame a dead child for his death, or tell parents they should have taught him better, and I'm certainly happy not to have that responsibility. However, the takeaway here (for me) is the reminder to make sure our children have the necessary street smarts to see to their own safety, whether walking to school, riding a bike, or playing ball on or near streets.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 10-01-22 at 03:00 PM.