Helotes Accident (Schertz: school, gated, to live)

[majormadmax]

Note that speed advisories are simply that...a speed advisory. There is no requirement to slow down to that speed--it is not the same as a speed limit sign!

[sinsativ]

Yes major, and I stated that, but, had he heeded that warning, the recklessness would have been a whole lot less. Another point in this is, this accident happened just past the Fire Station on Hwy 16. Now, any idiot that lives in that area should know two things, one, you always slow down in that area because a huge truck might have to come out at a moments notice, two, the visibility is very good around that corner, and its a wide corner, because of those trucks. And an ADVISORY, yes, its not law but, notice of caution necessary, and slower driving would be advised, which in this case would have been a lifesaver. Also, as of Friday, no charges had been filed, nor a citation issued, but, the Sheriff's Dept has forwarded all it's findings to the prosecuters office to determine if any charges should be filed against the driver. (just because charges aren't filed immediately doesn't mean that they won't be filed as soon as the evidence is all compiled)
And I damn well know that a yellow caution advisory sign is just that, but wouldn't it be nice if some other drivers did also. Its also a point to bring out that if the bicyclists were doing everything that they could above and beyond the call of safety necessary, obeying, that this driver of the truck should be expected to do the same, such as, slow down to 50mph on a curve with concrete barricades on one side which will force you to go to the side of least resistance if you lose control of your vehicle, ie, the one with bicyclists, rather than the one with concrete barricades.

[doss1]

Did someone say there was a propane gas tank repository at the dangerous curve section of the road? Um, you sure we want to locate propane gas tanks in that spot?? Maybe a wake up call....

[majormadmax]

If you sit along that curve on any given day you will find that the vast majority of vehicles do not slow down to the advisory speed and--no surprise--they stay well within the lane. I have also personally witness vehicles traveling well above the post speed limit in that very curve and still maintain their position within their lane.

I think bicycles should not be allowed on any road where the posted speed limit is 45 MPH or higher. It is a safety issue, as this accident clearly shows. There should be a minimum speed on such roads, and bicycles have no business where the movement of traffic is that fast.

[doss1]

I drove on 16 this morning near the bike accident area and wasn't sure whether the area where the accident was is the correct location. Further down the road (South of Picoso's) on the south bound sound of Hwy16 is a white bicycle sculpture with flowers. Is that a memorial to the victims?

It was very wet, cold and there was a constant drizzle of rain. Yet, many bikers were still out there in force riding this morning.

[kittykat13]

This was a very sad story, tragic for the family and the daughter's loss. I wonder if we will ever know anything else about the driver? Other than recklessness, what caused him to veer off the road and hit the bicyclists? I travel the same roads daily, and always I am very careful around the bicyclist. Tx. Hwy. 16 has many curves and the speed limit is high at 65 m.p.h.. Drivers should slow down, but then there is the ongoing debate about allowing cyclist to ride on the open shoulder, and at the same time, do the bicyclist realize they may be at risk, especially during inclement weather?

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

I drove on 16 this morning near the bike accident area and wasn't sure whether the area where the accident was is the correct location. Further down the road (South of Picoso's) on the south bound sound of Hwy16 is a white bicycle sculpture with flowers. Is that a memorial to the victims?

It was very wet, cold and there was a constant drizzle of rain. Yet, many bikers were still out there in force riding this morning.

I am not sure, I thought it was closer to the propane place. I was out there earlier in the week on the motorcycle and rode up and down that section of 16 outside of Helotes going west towards Bandera and couldn't find any indications of the location of the accident. Maybe it was further west than I had thought...

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by majormadmax

I am not sure, I thought it was closer to the propane place. I was out there earlier in the week on the motorcycle and rode up and down that section of 16 outside of Helotes going west towards Bandera and couldn't find any indications of the location of the accident. Maybe it was further west than I had thought...

I saw the white bicycle this morning that Nick is talking about. It is just north of the bad curve (with the cement barriers in the median). The propane place is actually on the curve.
I think the bicycle is new, if you go back out that way you will see it. You can't miss it.

[88txaggie]

Here is a pic of the accident site:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...ccident008.jpg

And the bike is new, painted by the guy who took the pic above. Sorry I don't know how to embed photos into this forum, hope the link works.

I am not familiar with the road where the wreck occurred, but the pic sure doesn't show a curve.

[2DMaxx]