In article ,
Gunner wrote:

jim rozen wrote:

In article , Gunner says...

Jim of all people should be aware of this sort of road bed danger.
Those sorts of bridges are a nightmare for scooter riders. Freeway
overpasses on cold wet windy nights are nearly as bad as the ice that
forms on them is both invisible and unexpected.

Sure. This is why I don't talk on a cell phone. Bad conditions
or otherwise. I have too much respect for the other road users.

Bottom line is, she screwed up. She almost died. Next time
I bet she'll leave the phone alone. Darwin *almost* worked there.

Jim

And if the same thing had happened in a vehicle with no cell phone?

Would you then commit seppuku?

No other similar accidents have occured on this bridge that didnt
involve cell phones?

Yes, there have been other incidents on that bridge that involve the
slippery surface. (I live in Portland). Lane changes are prohibited on
the steel grating part because of the reduced traction. Of course, not
everyone obeys, and many drivers seem oblivious to why they need to slow
down and not make sudden maneuvers. A few years ago a pedestrian was
crushed and killed by a driver who made that type of error.

Steel gratings are used on such bridges because it provides much less
roadway mass, a big help in designing an opening bridge. Personally,
I'd like to see more emphasis on raising the standards for driver
competence than attempting to engineer away all hazards. Driving is
*not* a right, and penalties for causing injury and death are laughably
light for drivers. The person who "lost control" and killed the
pedestrian was fined for careless driving. A better outcome would be to
confiscate the car, crush it, remove driving privileges and compensate
for the death. Saying "It was an accident" doesn't cut it.

Ted

--
Ted Bennett
Portland, OR