News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Letters

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable as well as posts that are attacking other users. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
comments powered by Disqus
August 3, 2012

READERS’ FORUM: Aug. 3, 2012

The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Bike ride’s great, its safety wasn’t

On Saturday, July 21, 2012, RAIN (Ride Across Indiana) took place in our great state. It was a great success, according to the Sunday edition of the Tribune-Star, which featured a fine article about the event, now in its 26th year.

I am writing this letter in hopes of getting the attention of the promoters and sponsors, but most importantly the riders.

On that Saturday morning, in less than 45 minutes, I personally heard of three different instances, here in Brazil, Clay County, of near tragedy.

At the Speedway east fuel center, I talked with a fuel tanker truck drive, who asked about all the bicycle riders coming through town. Having read an article in the paper the day before, I tried to relate to him what was taking place, as does every year.

He then told me of witnessing at the intersection of Indiana 59 and U.S. 40 several riders ignoring the red traffic signal and almost getting run over by a pick-up truck with a trailer, the driver of which had the green light. If he had not jammed on his brakes, he would have plowed right into them all.

In the second instance, I heard a similar story, riders almost getting run into, at another intersection, while at McDonald’s.

Then while in Kroger’s, yet another person while waiting in the check-out line, was telling the folks in front of him about another instance at the intersection of Alabama Street and U.S. 40. The riders, completely ignoring the traffic signal, rode through the red light.

First of all, not everyone knew, or knows about RAIN, not only here in Brazil but I suspect along the entire route. Second, the last time I checked bicycles were supposed to observe “all” traffic regulations, the same as motorized vehicles. This includes red lights, stop signs, etc., according to Indiana Code 9-21-11-2 and Indiana code 9-21-11-11.

Unless coordinated with law enforcement in advance in order to have an officer in place at intersections to stop traffic and wave riders through red lights, then these riders are “not” in compliance with the existing law and are putting their lives in danger as well as others’ lives.

Please don’t misunderstand. I think that RAIN is for a good cause and is a great event for our state, and the organizers do a good job. However, they need to go a little farther with their planning and coordination.

Hopefully, this will prevent a needless tragedy which could result in the loss of a leg, arm, being paralyzed for life — or worse the loss of a human life.

After all, isn’t the bottom line here the preservation of our most valuable asset, human life?

— Chris Wood

Brazil

 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Letters
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer Today in History May 25 High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse ShowBiz Minute: Shelton, King, Lopez Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military Today in History May 24 Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
NDN Video
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k Young protestor goes viral on Youtube High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head Maine island offers lighthouse getaway Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell Should We Prepare for Quakes? Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day' SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York Singer Psy Has An Imposter President Obama Heckled at National Security Speech Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News