Road Rules crackdown in Boise (Eagle, Hope: dangerous, legally, safety)

[Lacerta]

So, the news today is that Boise cops are going to start cracking down on 1) bicyclists who don't follow the rules of the road and 2) aggressive drivers.

This is obviously a response to the 3 cyclists who have been killed this year.

I never heard anything further about any of the three drivers involved in those deaths, and I had understood that at least 2 of them were "driver at fault" accidents, with the cyclists doing just what they should have been.

I think it is a good thing that cyclists be held to the rules that will keep them safe, as there are way too many people out there who, for example, ride against traffic, thinking it makes them safer, since they can see the cars coming. Many of the people who do this are children. Hopefully, the cops will be returning (or following) these children home, and ticketing the parents. However, I think the emphasis being placed on this part is the wrong response.

However, the other news today is that the cops are also supposed to be cracking down on aggressive drivers. I see so many traffic violations every single day, sometimes with cops right there, who do nothing about it. I hope this helps, I really do, but I don't expect much. If the cops had time to pull these people over, they would already be doing it.

I use my bicycle to commute to work during nice weather for the exercise and to cut back on fuel use for the environment and the pocketbook. I drive to work in bad weather. I try to follow the rules of the road in both situations, as I've been on both sides. I've almost been hit by cars half a dozen times, even though I was right where I was supposed to be. I've also almost hit cyclists who were coming from the wrong direction.

Anyway, I'm glad that the police intend to enforce the laws, but I think the emphasis is being placed too much on the cyclists, when it is the drivers of cars who have been shown this year to be the problems.

What do you think about these crackdowns and their implications?

[zedd]

I agree and support the BPD enforcing the rules of the road.

However, it seems like there is no justice regarding cyclists. Three cyclists get killed and the city announces it's going to start writing more tickets to cyclists. The drivers involved appear to be getting off without even having charges filed. I remember in 2007 a cyclist was killed at Eagle/Overland and the person got their license revoked - that's about the most you can expect to happen in Boise.

[boisefan88]

According to the local papers they're building the case to have charges filed, but that sometimes takes a while - up to six months, maybe.

[truckingbronco]

Maybe they will finally start ticketing people who drive 10 under in the left lane...

[pw72]

Originally Posted by truckingbronco

Maybe they will finally start ticketing people who drive 10 under in the left lane...

That is actually a rarity. What is more common is people driving the speed limit and passing slower vehicles, many times trucks, and people behind tailgating someone who is legally passing.

Don't get me wrong, if I pass a slow truck or other slow vehicle, I try to do it as quickly as possible and move back to the right lane. However, I'm not going to exceed 80 mph and risk a ticket just because someone behind me wants to go 83. Relax people.

[truckingbronco]

Originally Posted by pw72

That is actually a rarity. What is more common is people driving the speed limit and passing slower vehicles, many times trucks, and people behind tailgating someone who is legally passing. The tailgating and in a hurry issue that you mentioned, while annoying and dangerous, seems to happen everywhere. The left lane driving seems to be an Idaho problem, at least from my experience (don't flame, I do like it here).

Don't get me wrong, if I pass a slow truck or other slow vehicle, I try to do it as quickly as possible and move back to the right lane. However, I'm not going to exceed 80 mph and risk a ticket just because someone behind me wants to go 83. Relax people.

I'll admit, I was exaggerating. What I meant is that people often cruise in the left lane even when they're not passing and will not move over. It's more prevalent on the interstate than it is in Boise, but I'm still not comfortable passing people on the right.

Anyhow, I've hijacked the OP enough...guess I just needed to vent after a recent road trip. The bike safety problem in Boise is a big one and I'm glad to see it is being addressed, although it will be interesting to see if anything actually comes of it. Boise is great for bikers on the greenbelt and the numerous trail systems, however, urban commuting in Boise is downright lacking. Main streets like State have zero shoulder and it's even scary to be on the sidewalk as rear view mirrors are hanging over the sidewalk.

I'm not sure what the solution is, but generating more awareness on the part of cyclists and motorists is a good start.

[boiseguy]

Originally Posted by truckingbronco

I'll admit, I was exaggerating. What I meant is that people often cruise in the left lane even when they're not passing and will not move over. It's more prevalent on the interstate than it is in Boise, but I'm still not comfortable passing people on the right.

Anyhow, I've hijacked the OP enough...guess I just needed to vent after a recent road trip. The bike safety problem in Boise is a big one and I'm glad to see it is being addressed, although it will be interesting to see if anything actually comes of it. Boise is great for bikers on the greenbelt and the numerous trail systems, however, urban commuting in Boise is downright lacking. Main streets like State have zero shoulder and it's even scary to be on the sidewalk as rear view mirrors are hanging over the sidewalk.

I'm not sure what the solution is, but generating more awareness on the part of cyclists and motorists is a good start.

things will change when the freeway is completed..
I think the biggest problem with this happening here in boise on the freeway is that if you notice, there are signs at almost every exit as you go through town telling thru traffic to merge left.. so that traffic entering the freeway can easily merge on... I think this is due to it only being 2 lanes and the volume exceeds what 2 lanes should be.. so people get lazy and just stay in the left lane all the way through town...

[boisefan88]

Originally Posted by boiseguy

things will change when the freeway is completed..

You really think so?

[boi2socal]

^^^

I believe it is just a lack of freeway driving skills. This may be because there are only one and half freeways in Boise.

[boiseguy]

no, spokane has one freeway.. for years.. nobody drives like that there..even seattle only really has 2 freeways.. I-5 and the 405 loop..spokane is very similar culturally and geographically..and you don't find it there..
the signs on the freeway actually tell you to get into the left lane because of merging traffic...
next time you're on the freeway check it out...
it says specifically "thru traffic merge left" specifically at the broadway exit.. so people sit in the left lane all the way thru town.. I would also venture to say that a lot of those people in the left lane aren't even locals.. but people passing thru...