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Collision with motor vehicle at 3242 Eastlake Ave E
reported by J.Steve
Date:
2010-05-20
Crash type:
Collision with motor vehicle
Geometry:
Vehicle turned after passing bike
Vehicle type:
Car
Description:
RIGHT HOOK - Approaching Furman, vehicle in right lane passes me I'm in bike lane to the right, about 10' behind the the car.
With no turn signal the car slows suddenly, and begins to make a classic "right hook". I've got a 3' wide bike lane and nowhere to go but into the car. I yelled at the top of my lungs and still ended up with final braking maneuver being my hand on the side side window of the car. Immediately being mouthed to me from inside the car are the words "I'm sorry!" --- taking the cell phone away from her ear, she repeats the phrase several times as I'm now in front of the car yelling "you know you should get a ticket for being on the phone". The driver clearly wasn't paying attention. I had back and front bright daylight blinking lights. We parted company with pedestrians/witnesses shouting support "we saw it!" "she could have killed you!" "she was on the phone, I saw it!" Once the adrenalin settled, I realized the correct next step would have been to drop my bike in front of the car, get the licence plate number, and call the police to have the driver charged with Distracted Driving. Maybe next time I'll gain composure sooner to call the police. Add note to this report
Factors & Lessons
Factor:
No advance warning by vehicle
Factor:
Driver not looking for cyclists
Factor:
Driver failed to yield right of way
Factor:
Distracted Driver (hand held cell phone)
Explanation:
No turn signal used.
Holding cell phone to right ear.
Lesson:
Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do
Lesson:
Never assume the driver can see you
Explanation:
These are more "reminders" than lessons. I'm an experienced cyclist and anticipated the unexpected. No damage. No injury. Ride safe out there folks.
Conditions
Weather:
Clear
Lighting:
Daytime
Visibility:
Good
Using bike lights:
Yes
Wearing helmet:
Yes
Road conditions:
Wet
Traffic:
Moderate
Additional conditions description:
Distracted driver; car driver was on cell phone.
Cyclist
Cyclist age:
45
Cyclist gender:
M
Cyclist experience:
Expert
Bicycle type:
Mountain
Injuries:
None
Location
Location type:
Arterial
Location:
3242 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
Lat/Lng:
47.6513988497165, -122.321299910545
Crash ID:
391
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