Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Traffic safety: If you can't see, the speed limit is zero

Two children in a marked crosswalk were hit by an SUV at Portola and 30th in Live Oak, California. The driver told officers she couldn't see the children because she was blinded by the sun. "It's the driver's responsibility to make sure they can safely drive without any obstruction," California Highway Patrol officer Grant Boles said. "Don't just drive blind into the sun."

Officer Dave Reed adds, "If you can't see, the speed limit is zero."

It seems self-evident, but *doh*. More at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

2 comments:

gazer said...

It always amazes me when people try to pass me on a couple of little rollers on my commute. Absolutely zero visibility over the crest of the hill, but they just have to pass me right there...

Adriel said...

We had a cyclist killed here about a month ago, and there has been quite a debate going on in the comment section of the newspaper article.

The woman said she could not see the cyclist because the sun was in her eyes. She was not charged.

Several motorists have maintained that he should not have been there and it was his fault for even being on the road, and any cyclist in any roadway can pretty much expect that one day they will die on the road when there are cars about.

anyway I posted what the officer said about the speed being zero when visibility is zero.

The article is Here


You may also find my article about visibility and driving interesting.

http://austincyclingnews.com/?p=211