The death of Allie Hart and the need for safer streets

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A red light camera would not have helped, but the bump outs would. We should have those around the schools at a minimum.

The DC Council has passed the Safe Routes to School legislation that will overhaul safety measures around schools. Now if we can just get parents to not double park or block cycle lanes.

They should extend it to include playgrounds and community centers.

But then we won't be able to speed and roll stop signs *anywhere*. Have you thought of the equity in that?

[Anonymous]

The same aggressive attitude that’s prevalent in DC drivers is to that found in bikers, pedestrians, and joggers. Take out the ear pods and get off your phone and pay attention to the world around you. If you see a car coming don’t step off the curb especially in traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The same aggressive attitude that’s prevalent in DC drivers is to that found in bikers, pedestrians, and joggers. Take out the ear pods and get off your phone and pay attention to the world around you. If you see a car coming don’t step off the curb especially in traffic.

But only one of those people is operating a 2-3 ton vehicle at deadly speeds.

When you're driving, turn off your sound system, put away your phone (and turn off the screens in your car), pay attention to the world around you, and don't hit people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same aggressive attitude that’s prevalent in DC drivers is to that found in bikers, pedestrians, and joggers. Take out the ear pods and get off your phone and pay attention to the world around you. If you see a car coming don’t step off the curb especially in traffic.

But only one of those people is operating a 2-3 ton vehicle at deadly speeds.

When you're driving, turn off your sound system, put away your phone (and turn off the screens in your car), pay attention to the world around you, and don't hit people.

Americans are horrible when it comes to situational awareness. It's like they aren't even aware that they are like zombies driving around. I'm not saying it's a good idea, but I've seen drivers in other countries using Whatsapp video while driving and are still aware of their surroundings.

It sucks, but this is life and tragedy happens regardless of the precautions you take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same aggressive attitude that’s prevalent in DC drivers is to that found in bikers, pedestrians, and joggers. Take out the ear pods and get off your phone and pay attention to the world around you. If you see a car coming don’t step off the curb especially in traffic.

But only one of those people is operating a 2-3 ton vehicle at deadly speeds.

When you're driving, turn off your sound system, put away your phone (and turn off the screens in your car), pay attention to the world around you, and don't hit people.

Americans are horrible when it comes to situational awareness. It's like they aren't even aware that they are like zombies driving around. I'm not saying it's a good idea, but I've seen drivers in other countries using Whatsapp video while driving and are still aware of their surroundings.

It sucks, but this is life and tragedy happens regardless of the precautions you take.

No, you haven't, because no, they weren't still aware of their surroundings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same aggressive attitude that’s prevalent in DC drivers is to that found in bikers, pedestrians, and joggers. Take out the ear pods and get off your phone and pay attention to the world around you. If you see a car coming don’t step off the curb especially in traffic.

But only one of those people is operating a 2-3 ton vehicle at deadly speeds.

When you're driving, turn off your sound system, put away your phone (and turn off the screens in your car), pay attention to the world around you, and don't hit people.

That is the only one less likely to die.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same aggressive attitude that’s prevalent in DC drivers is to that found in bikers, pedestrians, and joggers. Take out the ear pods and get off your phone and pay attention to the world around you. If you see a car coming don’t step off the curb especially in traffic.

But only one of those people is operating a 2-3 ton vehicle at deadly speeds.

When you're driving, turn off your sound system, put away your phone (and turn off the screens in your car), pay attention to the world around you, and don't hit people.

That is the only one less likely to die.

Yes, we're well aware that there are still some people who believe that Might Makes Right.

[Anonymous]

I read that she was trailing her dad and she couldn’t stop her bike? Given her young age of 5, I wonder if she was just learning to ride and perhaps she should have stopped at the intersection, but she was a novice beginner bike rider and couldn’t stop her bike? Personally, I think 5 is too young to be riding a bike across intersections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read that she was trailing her dad and she couldn’t stop her bike? Given her young age of 5, I wonder if she was just learning to ride and perhaps she should have stopped at the intersection, but she was a novice beginner bike rider and couldn’t stop her bike? Personally, I think 5 is too young to be riding a bike across intersections.

No. Stop. Just, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids do dart out into the street though. When I walk with my young kids, I hold their hand. I don't let them bike or scooter because of this very scenario.

I feel very bad for her parents but I believe it was a tragic accident and that the driver didn't do anything wrong. You need to hold your young child's hand at all times on busy roads and intersections.

People don't "dart".

Also, as you say, kids are kids. They predictably behave in unpredictable ways. Why should we have to hold our young children's hands at all times, lest they be killed? Why shouldn't it be safe for kids to bike or scooter in their own neighborhoods? Why is it acceptable for streets to be unsafe - deadly - for children?

This kid sure darted. But hey, look at this driver - who is presumably talking to someone either in the car or on a cell phone, and moving at speed, who somehow avoids said darting kid anyway. Kudos to driver in this video for being aware. https://tinyurl.com/57vkrvk5

The driver who killed Allie either ran her over from a stop or rolled through a stop to do it. Either way, inexcusable to be that oblivious to surroundings. And yet... nada on charges.

There's a video showing that exact stop, months later, white memorial kid bike and all, being rolled through by every category of vehicle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids do dart out into the street though. When I walk with my young kids, I hold their hand. I don't let them bike or scooter because of this very scenario.

I feel very bad for her parents but I believe it was a tragic accident and that the driver didn't do anything wrong. You need to hold your young child's hand at all times on busy roads and intersections.

People don't "dart".

Also, as you say, kids are kids. They predictably behave in unpredictable ways. Why should we have to hold our young children's hands at all times, lest they be killed? Why shouldn't it be safe for kids to bike or scooter in their own neighborhoods? Why is it acceptable for streets to be unsafe - deadly - for children?

This kid sure darted. But hey, look at this driver - who is presumably talking to someone either in the car or on a cell phone, and moving at speed, who somehow avoids said darting kid anyway. Kudos to driver in this video for being aware. https://tinyurl.com/57vkrvk5

The driver who killed Allie either ran her over from a stop or rolled through a stop to do it. Either way, inexcusable to be that oblivious to surroundings. And yet... nada on charges.

There's a video showing that exact stop, months later, white memorial kid bike and all, being rolled through by every category of vehicle.

Yep. Drivers don't give a damn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was driving through Capitol Hill on my way to work the other day. Cute little neighborhood of rowhouses, pedestrians EVERYWHERE, people with their dogs, kids.

I took it easy, drove the speed limit, stopped carefully at every sign. And the person behind me was going to LOSE THEIR freaking mind. Honking, tailing, being as aggressive as possible on a narrow one way street.

Some people are just too important to drive safely.

I think we've all experienced this in DC. My observation is that, more often than not, this behavior stems from commercial drivers - i.e. rideshares, deliveries - being provided with incentives by their contracting companies to drive like absolute maniacs. All of these companies have Orwellian systems to monitor their drivers' positions, speed, acceleration, and every other form of behavior. It is thus perfectly within their capabilities to determine which drivers are driving safely and only employ those that are. To the manifest detriment of those who want to walk or bike around DC, the companies do the exact opposite.

No. This is everywhere. It is my neighbors in my suburban neighborhood. We have neighbors who pass people on our narrow neighborhood street at least once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was driving through Capitol Hill on my way to work the other day. Cute little neighborhood of rowhouses, pedestrians EVERYWHERE, people with their dogs, kids.

I took it easy, drove the speed limit, stopped carefully at every sign. And the person behind me was going to LOSE THEIR freaking mind. Honking, tailing, being as aggressive as possible on a narrow one way street.

Some people are just too important to drive safely.

I think we've all experienced this in DC. My observation is that, more often than not, this behavior stems from commercial drivers - i.e. rideshares, deliveries - being provided with incentives by their contracting companies to drive like absolute maniacs. All of these companies have Orwellian systems to monitor their drivers' positions, speed, acceleration, and every other form of behavior. It is thus perfectly within their capabilities to determine which drivers are driving safely and only employ those that are. To the manifest detriment of those who want to walk or bike around DC, the companies do the exact opposite.

No. This is everywhere. It is my neighbors in my suburban neighborhood. We have neighbors who pass people on our narrow neighborhood street at least once a week.

"Drive like your kids live here"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not just enforcement. Our roads are designed by engineers to favor cars. When politicians and engineers work to actually make our public space for people, then we can have a discussion. But in the meantime, let's all opposed proposals to make our streets safer because we need to be able to drive three blocks to get our vacuum cleaner repaired every other decade.

Pretty much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read that she was trailing her dad and she couldn’t stop her bike? Given her young age of 5, I wonder if she was just learning to ride and perhaps she should have stopped at the intersection, but she was a novice beginner bike rider and couldn’t stop her bike? Personally, I think 5 is too young to be riding a bike across intersections.

Drivers are despicable, disgusting piles of human excrement