What is needed for a police response?


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Michael W wrote in to me with a story about a crash he was recently in. He's a new resident of DC, and he was exploring a route for his wife to get to a job of hers in Takoma Park. His route took him onto the Silver Spring Green Trail, which turns into a sidewalk as it goes east. He was going east on the "trail" at around 10:30am as he approached the intersection of Wayne and Cedar where the trail currently ends. Michael is a very experienced cyclist and bike mechanic, I should note. As he describes it

I approached the intersection on the sidewalk along Wayne—at this point I noticed a sign describing the trail options (left or right). I Wanted to get back onto the street, so I looked at the crosswalk signal. It displayed a "green" walk signal, so I dropped into the curb-ramp and into the street.

At this point a car was approaching the intersection on Cedar Street from my left. The next moment I was directly in front of the car and noticed the driver wasn't looking forward, rather he was craning his neck to look to his left, in order to make a right-hand turn onto Wayne Ave. Without coming to a complete stop, the motorist accelerated and, obviously seeing me at last, blew his horn while continuing to accelerate through me. He struck my left ankle and rear wheel. Luckily he was only traveling between 5 -10 mph at this point, but sadly he didn't stop. I was somehow able to hop in the direction the car pushed me and unclip my pedals, quickly landing on my feet, still straddling the bicycle. With this vantage I was able to turn to see him driving off and read clearly his license plate number.

I immediately called the police and while doing so I was approached by another motorist who offered herself as a witness to the incident—which I accepted. (She also mentioned she almost considered driving after the guy, but re-thought those circumstances). The police came, took my information, and created a report. I declined any medical assistance as I was mostly fine. (My ankle does have a mild throbbing soreness to it now). The officer told me they would keep an eye out for the car and that was about it. They left, and I got back on my bike and went directly to work.

First of all, Michael did everything right. He got the plate #. He called the police. He didn't waive the witness away. Good job Michael.

But the police response that they would "keep an eye out" for the car? That's it? They have a plate number and a witness. This is a hit and run (maybe the driver didn't know they hit him because he stayed up, but they did see him because they honked). This reminds me of the cyclist who was intentionally hit on 1st Street this year, but then they only had a partial plate. I never heard it an arrest was made then or in another intentional hit where they got the plate

Michael asks why we let people get away with stuff like this. How can you hit someone, drive away and not lose your license? How, I wonder, can you have three DUI/DWIs and still have a license? I don't know.

http://www.thewashcycle.com/2010/07/police_response.html

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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