ANOTHER Bus vs pedestrian accident!

[tec71]

Ironically I believe DART just settled with the one they hit back in summer 2007. I don't know all the specifics but in that case the pedestrian was in the middle of the cross walk, and the bus was turning left onto the street she was crossing. She had the right of way. the DART bus accelerated into the turn, hit her with the right front windshield, then ran over her with the right front wheel, and the right rear duals.

 

[BigBake]

Holy cow...ran her over with back wheels too? That's just horrible driving.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[BigBake]

I just started working downtown and have tried to be extra vigilant crossing the streets just because I'm aware of the history of dart.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Tornado man]

I used to work for CyRide and I can say that I had a lot of close calls on campus. You cannot account for people's stupidity.

I see pedestrians step out in front of buses, daring them to stop, much more often than they do in front of cars. It's like they assume bus drivers are much more cautious.

 

[SeattleClone]

I saw somewhere in the DMR article that they're thinking of eliminating left turns from the downtown routes. Really? You have drivers that can't handle making left turns and you think eliminating left turns will solve the problem? Maybe you need to find some new drivers...

 

[CYdTracked]

There is video on the DM link now of someone who witnessed it. Sure sounds like the driver's fault...

 

[Steve]

I saw somewhere in the DMR article that they're thinking of eliminating left turns from the downtown routes. Really? You have drivers that can't handle making left turns and you think eliminating left turns will solve the problem? Maybe you need to find some new drivers...

The guys in Brown, who make their living by getting around town efficiently, avoid left turns like the plague. They have found that designing routes utilizing right turns saves time, gas, and maintenance not to mention minimizing accidents.

 

[egami]

I saw somewhere in the DMR article that they're thinking of eliminating left turns from the downtown routes. Really? You have drivers that can't handle making left turns and you think eliminating left turns will solve the problem? Maybe you need to find some new drivers...

Um, yeah, because incompetent driving can be countered by right turns? I think they are missing the underlying issue. Makes me curious now how many of these are left turn accidents.

I drive vehicles this large on a semi-frequent basis...I tend to be more worried about my right side blind spot than my left.

 

[isufbcurt]

Um, yeah, because incompetent driving can be countered by right turns? I think they are missing the underlying issue. Makes me curious now how many of these are left turn accidents.

I drive vehicles this large on a semi-frequent basis...I tend to be more worried about my right side blind spot than my left.

AMEN. When I am driving my Semi racecar hauler left turns are nothing but I am always extra cautious turning right or even merging into the right hand lane.

 

[Steve]

Um, yeah, because incompetent driving can be countered by right turns? I think they are missing the underlying issue. Makes me curious now how many of these are left turn accidents.

I drive vehicles this large on a semi-frequent basis...I tend to be more worried about my right side blind spot than my left.

Even in areas with light traffic, left turns carry the risk of misjudging the speed and/or distance of on-coming traffic. Incidents escalate when you try to clear an intersection as the light is changing and get clobbered by someone trying to race a yellow light. These are not only some of the most frequent accidents at intersections, but also some of the most severe as you can get broad sided by an accelerating vehicle.

The other big problem with left turns in heavy traffic urban areas is the time wasted waiting for either a turn arrow or an opening in traffic.

 

[egami]

Even in areas with light traffic, left turns carry the risk of misjudging the speed and/or distance of on-coming traffic.

And you don't have this on right turns?

Incidents escalate when you try to clear an intersection as the light is changing and get clobbered by someone trying to race a yellow light. These are not only some of the most frequent accidents at intersections, but also some of the most severe as you can get broad sided by an accelerating vehicle.

I'd have to see some statistics I guess...like I said, I have driven large vehicles all my life. I had a CDL and have driven truck for a few years at one point along with spray rigs, fertilizer tenders and in my current life fire trucks and BY FAR the harder areas to judge, for me, are on the right, not the left.

The other big problem with left turns in heavy traffic urban areas is the time wasted waiting for either a turn arrow or an opening in traffic.

Again, this can be an issue on right hand turns to, especially in Iowa where you can turn into traffic on red or from a stop sign.

 

[Clonehomer]

I'm surprised this doesn't happen on campus with Cyride. I've seen students looking down at their ipods or whatever just cross the street without even looking up. I give Cyride drivers all the credit in the world for avoiding some of the idiots out there.

 

[price26]

I'm surprised this doesn't happen on campus with Cyride. I've seen students looking down at their ipods or whatever just cross the street without even looking up. I give Cyride drivers all the credit in the world for avoiding some of the idiots out there.

 

[egami]

price26, are you a Cyride driver?

 

[price26]

price26, are you a Cyride driver?

Yes. Its great for getting out and enjoying the scenery in Ames in the summer and fall . . .

 

[egami]

Yes. Its great for getting out and enjoying the scenery in Ames in the summer and fall . . .

That's cool...I've seen Cyride a million times in Ames, but have never ridden one anywhere.

 

[SilverCyclone]

I saw somewhere in the DMR article that they're thinking of eliminating left turns from the downtown routes. Really? You have drivers that can't handle making left turns and you think eliminating left turns will solve the problem? Maybe you need to find some new drivers...

... Welcome To Alburqurque(f*in' spellcheck) ...:biggrin: ...It Only Requires 2 Left Turns :biglaugh:... (according to Bugs Bunny too...)

 

[CYdTracked]

You should check out the long list of cases this guy has: Iowa Courts Online Search HOLY SMOKES! 38 entries and they all aren't traffic related either, some drug-related, assualt, and theft charges (some of these were dismissed) mixed in there too. Makes you wonder what kind of background check these drivers go through because if he can get hired with a hefty list like that makes you wonder what some of the other drivers have on their records as well.

 

[cstrunk]

I'm surprised this doesn't happen on campus with Cyride. I've seen students looking down at their ipods or whatever just cross the street without even looking up. I give Cyride drivers all the credit in the world for avoiding some of the idiots out there.

The training program we go through when we are hired is second to none. CyRide drivers pretty much just assume that another driver or pedestrian on the road/sidewalk are going to make stupid mistakes/decisions. With that mindset you are almost always prepared to avoid an accident. I've had many close calls that might not have been avoided without being extra vigilant every day.

It also amazes me that we are able to avoid (for the most part) so many accidents. :wideeyed: