# Goddamn driver (Bicycle RO) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 10, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932 "2008-07-10T02:50:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/1 "2008-07-10T02:50:17Z")
[Story here](http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bike9-2008jul09,0,6023414.story) Mandeville Canyon Road is a residential street in Brentwood. Two bicyclists were descending the road at approx 30 MPH. They were passed by a driver in an Infinity. Words were exchanged, and the driver swerved in front of them slammed on his brakes. A car with ABS can out stop a bike, so one of the riders wound up with his head in the back seat of the car, and the other on the pavement in front of the car. Something I would like to point out. Unless otherwise posted, residential streets in California have a 25 MPH speed limit, but apparently this was not fast enough for the driver. Reading the article it turns out that our driver of the year is a fucking doctor. > [@](#): > > According to Peterson, the driver emerged from the car and said he was a doctor. But “from that point on, he never offered any help,” Peterson said… > Thompson’s biography on the website of his company, Touch Medix, says he spent 29 years as an emergency department doctor. He earned his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma Don’t doctors take the [Hippocratic Oath](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypocratic_oath) in Oklahoma? I thought there was something in there about not doing any harm. Yeah here it is “and never do harm to anyone…keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing”" Well it looks like you blew that one off Sparky And after announced that you were a doctor, who was trained in emergency medicine you stood around with one thumb up your ass and the other in your mouth. Apparently every five minutes you switched. Nice job. Does the term First Aid ring any fucking bells doctor? The article says you have 29 years of emergency medical experience. Or did you have 1 year of experience 29 times? Nice assist on two severely injured men, injuries that you caused. Instead of the Hippocratic oath did you take the Hypocrite oath instead? But wait, it gets better. Listen to the spin the “good doctor’s” lawyer is putting on this. > [@](#): > > “This isn’t an incident of road rage,” Swarth said. “It is a very unfortunate accident. Dr. Thompson hopes for the injured cyclists’ recovery.” Yeah, I will bet he is hopping for their recovery, that might make the lawsuit payout smaller. I think I can make the argument that if you maneuver your car in such a manner that a guy riding a bike winds up in your back seat, you are probably not driving in a safe manner, and there is an excellent chance that it wasn’t an accident. Collision yes, accident no. I have jury duty coming up, this dickhead better hope I don’t get put on his jury. I would vote for the death penalty. I don’t care if he is only charged with littering, I will vote for the death penalty. I was so upset tonight I did something I have never done before. I sat down and wrote an e mail to an elected official, in this case the LA District Attorney. Here is the text of that e mail: > [@Rick](#): > > Today I read in the LA Times of a driver in a car that used his car to assault two bicycle riders on Mandeville Cyn. Rd. on 7/4. [Narrow road is a zone of conflict](http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bike9-2008jul09,0,6023414.story) > > I ride a bicycle both for recreation and sometimes to work. I always follow the rules of the road, yet this does not stop some drivers from cutting me off, honking, and throwing things at me. These incidents are all too common. > > The law on bicycles is very clear here in California. We are vehicles and belong in the street with other vehicles. > > It is therefore my sincere hope that your office will prosecute Dr. Thompson for his blatant disregard of both the law, and the safety of others. > > If there is any good to come of this incident I would think that publicity about your prosecution of this man would help to educate other drivers. > > Thank you for your time. > Respectfully, > Rick In closing Fuck you Dr. Thompson. Fuck you with a a splintered 2X4 wrapped in rusty barbed wire. I hope you get a cell with the best hung inmate in the entire prison system, who just happens to love giving anal sex more than anything. Asshole. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/2 "2008-07-10T12:03:39Z")
Soon to be a baggy asshole…all being well. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/3 "2008-07-10T12:45:23Z")
**Rick** , I agree that this alleged doctor should be slammed with all the charges that can apply. Especially assault with a deadly weapon. Whatever perceived provocation the Doctor may have experienced, his actions were completely, utterly, and unforgivably out of line. I will say that I’d love to see the police also be a bit more aggressive in ticketing bicyclists, as well as drivers. I agree that most bicyclists are far more law-abiding than most drivers. But there is an aggressive minority that seems to believe that the laws of the road don’t apply to them. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/4 "2008-07-10T12:58:47Z")
I wish the police were a bit more aggressive in their traffic enforcement also. I would have no problems with cops going after people on bicycles for infractions especially actions that put the rider in danger such as riding against the flow, riding at speed, or other stupid shit. I would include riding on the street with an earphones in both ears in this group. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/5 "2008-07-10T13:16:33Z")
No argument there, **Rick**. I was just being too chickenshit to say that it sounds, based on the reporting of your linked story, that the cyclists there weren’t exactly following the model for proper road use, either. By no means does that excuse what the doctor did, I just get tired of people on both sides of the issue who present the fault all on one side or the other. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/6 "2008-07-10T13:39:13Z")
This was on Fark a day or two ago. Someone posted a photo of the car (sorry, don’t know where from and don’t have time to look). It is gross. There is blood all over the trunk and a face-sized hole in the rear windshield. And apparently the guy who went through the window almost lost his nose or something? I personally hate most bikers on the road (lack of bike lanes so bikes really are slowing cars down to 20mph or less on roads 35mph+, and sometimes they ride on narrow roads with no shoulder and that makes a traffic jam until the other lane is clear for cars to pass, but that’s another thread) but I just avoid them, not purposefully put them in danger. And a doctor doing it is extra fucked up. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/7 "2008-07-10T13:46:41Z")
Is there any possibility that he could face revocation of his medical license for the assault he (allegedly) committed and his refusal to give aid? I can’t see any state medical board being happy with his behavior. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/8 "2008-07-10T13:50:34Z")
In the Netherlands you have \ billions and billions \ of cyclists on the streets. A big majority are good riders, but quite a few will give you, as a car driver, a nervous breakdown. And as far as I understand the traffic laws here, if a car and a bicycle collide, the car is guilty by default, until proven otherwise (which is nigh impossible). Of course, I understand that bicycles are inherently vulnerable and that, in case of an accident, they almost universally get the worst part of it, so I understand that legal liability will be biased in favour of the cyclist. However, it sometimes looks as if certain bicycle riders will take that as some kind of license to do whatever the fuck they want, because the car drivers will take care not to hit them! Thank deity that there is a parallel network of roads here in NL, so that cyclists can ride to their heart’s content from one end of the country to the other without having to interact with motor vehicles! (Practically the only places where bicycles and cars mix are cities, and even there you have separate bicycle lanes in most areas… Although sometimes they don’t appear to mean much to certain types). Just my 2 eurocent! P.S.: FWIW, I like riding my bicycle from time to time as well! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/9 "2008-07-10T13:59:17Z")
[QUOTE=phouka] Is there any possibility that he could face revocation of his medical license for the assault he (allegedly) committed and his refusal to give aid? I can’t see any state medical board being happy with his behavior. [/QUOTE] It looks like he gave up practice to work for/with that Touch Medix company. They create some sort of management software for emergency departments. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/10 "2008-07-10T14:43:55Z")
[QUOTE=JoseB] And as far as I understand the traffic laws here, if a car and a bicycle collide, the car is guilty by default, until proven otherwise (which is nigh impossible). Of course, I understand that bicycles are inherently vulnerable and that, in case of an accident, they almost universally get the worst part of it, so I understand that legal liability will be biased in favour of the cyclist. [/QUOTE] The law they need to memorize is F = MA. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/11 "2008-07-10T14:54:48Z")
[QUOTE=myskepticsight] This was on Fark a day or two ago. Someone posted a photo of the car (sorry, don’t know where from and don’t have time to look). It is gross. There is blood all over the trunk and a face-sized hole in the rear windshield. And apparently the guy who went through the window almost lost his nose or something? \*\*I personally hate most bikers on the road (lack of bike lanes so bikes really are slowing cars down to 20mph or less on roads 35mph+, \*\* and sometimes they ride on narrow roads with no shoulder and that makes a traffic jam until the other lane is clear for cars to pass, but that’s another thread) but I just avoid them, not purposefully put them in danger. And a doctor doing it is extra fucked up. [/QUOTE] OH NOES! So if you have to tail a bike for 5 miles, it takes you 15 minutes instead of 8.5! The nerve of that biker for stealing 8.5 minutes from your life. Of course, you are probably only tailing a bike for a few hundred feet, or maybe even a quarter mile, delaying you what, 45 seconds? Get some perspective, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/12 "2008-07-10T15:00:59Z")
That asshole’s been arrested for felony assault. I’ve had that done to a 6-man group I was riding with. That guy pulled over, slammed on his breaks, and opened his door into the bikers who were forced to swerve around him on the driver’s side. It amounts to the same fucking thing as aiming a gun a foot over someone’s head and pulling the trigger – just a matter of time until there’s a miscalculation that ends up in someone being dead. This was a sick act by a disturbed, sick, dangerous individual who should wind up in jail for several years and have his license revoked forever. No fucking excuse for it in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/13 "2008-07-10T15:03:58Z")
[QUOTE=myskepticsight] This was on Fark a day or two ago. Someone posted a photo of the car (sorry, don’t know where from and don’t have time to look). It is gross. There is blood all over the trunk and a face-sized hole in the rear windshield. [/QUOTE] Found some pics (not terribly gory, but there is blood): [The car, cyclist on stretcher](http://laist.com/2008/07/07/update_on_bicycle_accident.php) [Cyclists in hospital](http://laist.com/2008/07/07/road_rage_motorist_vs_cyclists_on_m.php) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/14 "2008-07-10T15:04:18Z")
[QUOTE=Trunk] …slammed on his breaks… [/QUOTE] **Brakes**. They’re _brakes_! Sorry, I hate that. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/15 "2008-07-10T15:32:20Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] I wish the police were a bit more aggressive in their traffic enforcement also. I would have no problems with cops going after people on bicycles for infractions especially actions that put the rider in danger such as riding against the flow, riding at speed, or other stupid shit. I would include riding on the street with an earphones in both ears in this group. [/QUOTE] I applaud the Tokyo police for their recent crackdown on idiot cyclists, as they’re usually a bigger hazard to me (a cyclist) than any driver. The ones I usually see them grabbing are the dopes sailing through red lights, riding double, or riding without lamps (I only see them pulling over cyclists at night, for some reason). I’d also toss in the earphoners if it were up to me, as well as the ones talking on their phones and sending email while they ride. As for the OP, I felt the same reaction when I read this story. Man, I would love to be on that jury. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/16 "2008-07-10T15:32:30Z")
[QUOTE=Scarlett67] Found some pics (not terribly gory, but there is blood): [The car, cyclist on stretcher](http://laist.com/2008/07/07/update_on_bicycle_accident.php) [Cyclists in hospital](http://laist.com/2008/07/07/road_rage_motorist_vs_cyclists_on_m.php) [/QUOTE] Looking at your link this guy is even a bigger asshole than I thought > [@](#): > > The driver of the vehicle stopped his car and continued the tirade, identifying himself as a Doctor but never offering medical attention. > > Ron told the motorist to turn off the car and Christian sat on the hood of the car, afraid that the driver would drive off. The motorist continued the tirade, telling Christian to get his bike out of the street. Christian reported that they were afraid that the motorist would leave the scene. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/17 "2008-07-10T15:45:34Z")
From the second link: > [@](#): > > “This isn’t the first time that there’s been an incident like this.” says Ron. “In fact two cyclists from LAGrange were recently run off the road by a motorist who fits the same description as this one. They reported it but no charges were filed. Same road, same situation. We’ve got to work together to prosecute this guy to the full extent of the law before he kills somebody!” ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/18 "2008-07-10T18:40:46Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] I wish the police were a bit more aggressive in their traffic enforcement also. I would have no problems with cops going after people on bicycles for infractions especially actions that put the rider in danger such as riding against the flow, riding at speed, or other stupid shit. I would include riding on the street with an earphones in both ears in this group. [/QUOTE] And lights, goddammit! I’m sick of nearly running into bikes at night that have no lights of any kind. As for the incident, I’m going to take a contrary position, not in defense of the culprit, but to point out the how he alone is not to blame. I grew up in this area, and I know what the narrow canyon roads are like. People who live along them need to use them to get in and out of their homes, for mundane stuff like grocery shopping, getting to school or work, or what have you. A group of 30 bicycle riders is a major impediment to traffic on such a road. You can’t pass them safely. They are doing a miniature Critical Mass on Mandeville Canyon Road, and I have to say I think it’s wrong. Should the residents of Mandeville Canyon now have to allocate another ten or fifteen minutes to their commuting time in case a couple dozen bicyclists have decided to use the road that day? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/19 "2008-07-10T18:47:07Z")
Well according to the law, yes, they will have to wait until there is a safe place to pass. Just the same as if they were following a big cement truck or a tractor going up that hill. FTR I would like to point out the riders where headed downhill and going 30 MPH. There is no way any driver would be delayed by 15 minutes. The driver was reportedly doing 50 MPH which I am sure is over the posted speed limit, I know it is above the PF limit for a residential street. Edit: I am right there with you on the lights. I have a lights on my helmet, bike and handlebars for the rear, and a headlight on my helmet. Me not trust drivers? Whatever gave you that idea? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932/20 "2008-07-10T19:01:05Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] FTR I would like to point out the riders where headed downhill and going 30 MPH. There is no way any driver would be delayed by 15 minutes. The driver was reportedly doing 50 MPH which I am sure is over the posted speed limit, I know it is above the PF limit for a residential street. [/QUOTE] And there were two of them, not thirty. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-driver-bicycle-ro/455932.md?page=2)