Bike crashes & police investigations
In light of the heated discussions underway over police not issuing citations in bike/auto crashes, a few data points to consider:
There have been two bike/auto crashes in the last 24 hours.
- The first happened last night at SW 4th & Madison. Police say the cyclist was heading the wrong way down Madison, blew through a red light, and got hit by a pickup truck. The cyclist appeared uninjured. The cyclist was cited for driving the wrong way on a one-way street and failing to obey a traffic control device.
- The second happened early this morning at SE 17th & Schiller. In that case, police say a PT Cruiser made a left turn and hit an oncoming bicycle. It was dark and foggy, but the cyclist had lights on the front and back of his bike. He was taken to the hospital, but didn't have any trauma injuries or broken bones. The driver of the PT Cruiser was cited for making a dangerous left turn.
Any time someone is killed in a crash, the case is automatically referred to and reviewed by the District Attorney's office, and the DA's office makes the decision whether or not to bring criminal charges. If the DA doesn't bring charges, the case goes back to the investigating officer, who then has the option of issuing a traffic citation based on the evidence from the scene.
In other words: not issuing a citation at the scene is standard procedure for fatal crashes. That's an important distinction that wasn't clear enough in my previous post. Schmautz also emphasized that officers don't make a recommendation of whether or not to bring charges -- they gather evidence and report to the DA.
Obviously, police do still have the option of arresting a driver at the scene of a crash if there's obvious evidence of a crime (as you often see in DUI cases), but officers didn't find that evidence at the crashes that killed Brett Jarolimek and Tracey Sparling.
One more data point from Sgt. Schmautz, who is clearly concerned about the tone of the discussions taking place:
- For January through August 2007, Portland Police issued around 72,000 traffic citations. Of those, less than 1,000 were issued to cyclists. I realize the math is a little fuzzy, but that means cyclists received less than 1.4% of traffic tickets.
- According to the most recent numbers I could find, cyclists accounted for 4.4% of all trips to work in Portland in 2006. Bottom line: at least as far as traffic tickets go, Portland Police are not going after cyclists at a disproportionate rate.
Comments
Bike operators should be required to purchase license plates to help pay for all these bike lanes. Also should be required to have a headlight on 24 hours a day.
Posted by: Cheryl Funkhouser | October 25, 2007 9:12 PM
Tom Potter is a raciest pig who only care about him self
Posted by: John doe | October 26, 2007 9:28 AM
Coming from another country I was not surprised to see that more and more bikers are hurt and killed here. Americans are some of the worse drivers around, having no idea what is going on outside of their windscreen. On the other side though, being a biker myself, I'm amazed how stupid bikers are here as well, most I see don't wear helmuts, reflective clothing or even lights. These lanes are nice, but bikers still seem to ride on the left side of them, making it easier for cars to hit them. Until bikers are trained, yes trained to use the roads and have the same amount of knowledge as car drivers, raising a petrol tax, or making drivers learn more is another waste of time, but something Americans seem to love to do, waste time and money! Why was it that I got my drivers ID from a cookie box here, but where I'm from, it took 3 tests to get it, then a 1 year probation, and people knew I was a new driver. European drivers tests are the hardest in the world, how do I know. I heard once in a blue moon a biker being hit, becasue we were aware of bikers. But bikers also wore and displayed things that told everything you are there. why can't people do it here? DUUUUUUUUUUU
Posted by: Edward | October 26, 2007 10:11 AM
Come on everyone. This has spiraled out of control with finger pointing and lines getting drawn in the sand. A special meeting is not going to solve this. Passing legislation is not going to solve this. Vehicles vs. bikes. What is this Portlands version of THE OUTSIDERS? If you are on a public roadway, be aware of everything that is happening. If you are on a bike, I suggest you take extra caution only due to the lack of protection that inherently exists. There will always be accidents no matter what the rules are. If anyone thinks that passing stricter legislation will make this problem go away you are sadly mistaken. It is up to each an every one of you to know what is happening on the road no matter what mode of transportation you choose. When someone makes a mistake, does something stupid, has a momentary lapse in judgment, or simply is oblivious, your focus and attention will protect you. The best way for you to solve this problem is to be accountable for your actions. The more folks that think like that, the less problems that will exist.
Posted by: BILL | October 26, 2007 11:37 AM
In response to Cheryl Funkhouser's comment, "...bike operators should be required to purchase license plates to help pay for all these bike lanes." -- please remember that most bike riders are also car drivers. They already pay their share of road taxes to pay for the bike lanes, etc.
Posted by: Shana | October 26, 2007 2:09 PM
In response to Shana - if I have more than one vehicle I pay registration and other insurances and fees for each vehicle. If bikes are "vehicles" and enjoy the privileges and responsibilities of sharing the road with cars then they should be treated as such all the way around. Cyclists should have a license to operate their vehicle and should have to abide by certain minimum standards and safety features for their vehicle just as one has to do with a car. You can't demand to be treated equally on just the aspects that appeal to you.
Posted by: Lili | October 26, 2007 4:09 PM
I also believe that bikes should be registered and licensed to ride on the road they want to share. I ride a bike and I wouldn't mind doing this to help pay for the safety and upgrade of the roads.
Share the road, share the cost.
A vehicle is a vehicle, if you want to ride on the roads, then all should pay for the roads to ride on.
Posted by: Barbara Brown | October 27, 2007 1:04 PM