Female hit by car on Emmet
Thursday 11:54am update: The pedestrian has been identified as 65-year-old Mahin Koorang-Beheshti of Charlottesville, who was transported by rescue squad with serious injuries, according to Albemarle Police spokesperson Lt. Todd Hopwood, who identifies 28-year-old male Crisoford Antonio of Harrisonburg, as the driver of the involved vehicle, a southbound 1993 Dodge Caravan. Hopwood notes that pedestrian Koorang-Beheshti was crossing from east to west–- in an area without a crosswalk or pedestrian signals near Seminole Square Shopping Center. Neither speed nor alcohol have been cited, and no charges have been filed.
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A female in the 1000 block of Emmet Street was struck by a car Wednesday before 8pm, according to a dispatch by the Emergency Communications Center.
32 comments
Mequa Shore, I think the code is saying you can pass a vehicle with just cause. I don't think the law was ever meant to say you can pass anything and everything just to go to the front of the line.
Well, actually, it's not unheard of. The local standard for pedestrians has been set by our police police departments. You either get out of the way, or you get run over! I wholeheartedly endorse this standard!
I am however somewhat upset they haven't blazed the way for this standard to be applied to bicycles and motorcycles that have no regard for traffic laws! Just last night a bicycle was riding the center yellow line at the corner, passing stalled traffic, and almost ran into pedestrians in front of Mincer's Pipe Shoppe. And a few blocks further down the road a motorcycle was also passing stalled traffic on the right hand side of the roadway. At one point he had to slow to about 1 mph to squeeze between the parked cars on the right and a large city bus. Both of them deserved to be hit by a car and knocked 35 feet down the pavement face first.
GSOE -- it would seem that you think that cyclists should consider themselves like another motor vehicle on the road (and by seem, I mean that you're making your gasbag opinions clear far and wide). That being said, in non-standing traffic, I'm guessing you would never, ever overtake a cyclist who is in the road? That would be just too outrageous, wouldn't it?
If motorists don't want cyclists (on their recreational toys, apparently) to squeeze past cars that are in the way, then they should treat cyclists like another car on the road, but they never do.
Slither -- it's pretty amusing and downright obnoxious that you've defined what transportation is and isn't. I guess if cycling isn't transportation, then walking certainly isn't. And I guess being a "greeny" is also just a little too forward-thinking and progressive for you to grasp.
Well, Siz... You're the newest member of the "I Am Wrong" club.
Charlottesville city code
Sec. 15-240. Riders subject to traffic laws, etc.
Every person riding a bicycle or moped upon a street, roadway or other public vehicular area shall be subject to the provisions of this Code and the provisions of Code of Virginia, chapter 8 (section 46.2-800 et seq.) of title 46.2, applicable to drivers of motor vehicles, unless the context of any such provision clearly indicates otherwise.
(Code 1976, § 16-63.5(a))
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-800.
Lane splitting is most certainly legal and happens just about everywhere. I am a bike riding commuter in Chicago, and I stop for traffic lights and give pedestrians the right of way, but I don't sit idle in back of a line of cars in a traffic jam. I go to the front of the line, because I can!
What?! A pedestrian hit by a car in Charlottesville? Unheard of!
"Siz, we’re discussing local law and Virginia state law."
No Steve. You are discussing local Law and Virginia law. Siz was quite clear from the outset that she was speaking of Chicago and Frank was presumably speaking of a large city outside Virginia.
"And I don’t know Virginia law as well as I would like to think I do."
I think we can all agree with that statement.
The major problem with cyclists isn't if they move to the front of the line at a red light. It is how many of them don't wear a helmet or have flashing lights on at night. I am an avid cyclist and when I see this it gets my blood boiling. Gasbag I 100% agree with you that iPods are dangerous when you are sharing the road.
quote: "No Steve. You are discussing local Law and Virginia law. Siz was quite clear from the outset that she was speaking of Chicago..."
Yeah, I saw that. I just figured he/she is a UVA student traveling the local streets. It's strange that somebody in Chicago would jump in a discussion about local events.
quote: "...Frank was presumably speaking of a large city outside Virginia.
Frank mentioned a BIG city. Charlottesville is big compared to some other small Virginia cities. I see no mention by frank of another state. Can you point that out to me please?
quote: "I think we can all agree with that statement."
Sick of the Local Deputy Sleepy, who is "we"?
Please answer ASAP. we would like to know. :)
In Charlottesville, as in most places in the USA, bicycles are recreational toys. Much as cyclists and greenies want to believe, bicycles are not transportation. With all the cell phone yakking, let alone the distracted It's All Good Cville hippies, the harrassed stay at home mommies and daddies in their totmobiles, it's no place to ride a bike.
Or apparently to walk.
Well, I'm not riding in Charlottesville, I'm riding from my home on the northwest side of Chicago to downtown Chicago, and so far no one has noticed that I'm defiantly breaking the law.
Hoo-t-ville, at first I was like... "Ohh Wow!"
Then I was like... "Ohh, he's just kidding, like I did above!"
I don't wish physical injury to any predestrian or cyclist, but more often than not it's their own fault when it does take place.
Back on the bicycle topic, you can't depend on them hearing your horn if they do screw up in front of your moving vehicle. Because I see more and more people riding bicycles with iPods and earbuds. Which is also illegal of course. I suppose this law is not enforced around here as well.
Siz, that's only because the police around here very seldom, if ever, enforce the traffic laws against people on bicycles.
But, you prove my point, and I thank you for that. You either intentionally break the law or you don't know the law.
You would see some changes if I was the police chief. I would direct my troops to enforce the pedestrain signals at crosswalks, Most pedestrians going to and coming from the mall for example totally ignore the lighted red signals directing pedestrians not to cross. And I would direct them to enforce the traffic laws when broken by people on bicycles and motorcycles.
As always though, there's a slight disclaimer... I would not allow my troops to pursue motorcyles who refuse to stop for them. It's not in the best interest of "public safety" when you have a 4,500 pound police car out of control and running into innocent people.
Good point! I wouldn't dare ride a bicycle without a helmet the way people drive around this city. Getting knocked off a bicycle isn't the worst thing in the world, but your head hitting a concrete curb when you land is a life threatening event. Broken bones can heal, serious brain trama usually doesn't.
As far as the lane splitting being illegal, see the last paragraph.
§ 46.2-907. Overtaking and passing vehicles.
A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped may overtake and pass another vehicle on either the left or right side, staying in the same lane as the overtaken vehicle, or changing to a different lane, or riding off the roadway as necessary to pass with safety.
A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped may overtake and pass another vehicle only under conditions that permit the movement to be made with safety.
A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped shall not travel between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, except where one lane is a separate turn lane or a mandatory turn lane.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped shall comply with all rules applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle when overtaking and passing.
(1981, c. 585, § 46.1-229.2:1; 1989, c. 727; 2001, c. 834; 2002, c. 254; 2006, cc. 529, 538.)
You go Gasbag, you showed them. It ticks me off when people on motorcycles think that they can ride in the middle of two lanes between vehicles. If I didn't want my car to stay in its current condition, ie. not banged up, then I would love to just open my driver door just as they are getting to pass me and knock them on their face and have them slide down the pavement as you have described.
Kathy, when they get plastered by a motor vehicle, they wanna jump up and down and blame the driver of the motor vehicle! That's what disses me off! Bicyclists want to use the same roadways as cars, but they also think they can make up the laws that should apply to them as they go along.
And, after having said all of the above, the same passing and overtaking laws that apply to bicycles do not apply to motor vehicles. A motor vehicle can pass as many bicycles as he needs to. This is so because people driving motor vehicles shouldn't have to go 1 mph to 2 mph behind somebody chugging up Beck's Hill on a bicycle (a very steep hill in Charlottesville).
§ 46.2-839. Passing bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle.
Any driver of any vehicle overtaking a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a reasonable speed at least two feet to the left of the overtaken bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle and shall not again proceed to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle.
(1981, c. 585, § 46.1-208.1; 1989, c. 727; 1999, c. 999; 2001, c. 834; 2002, c. 254; 2004, cc. 947, 973.)
Virginia State Code
§ 46.2-800. Riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, or mopeds; riding or driving animals.
Every person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, or an animal or driving an animal on a highway shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter and shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, unless the context of the provision clearly indicates otherwise.
The provisions of subsections A and C of § 46.2-920 applicable to operation of emergency vehicles under emergency conditions shall also apply, mutatis mutandis, to bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds operated under similar emergency conditions by law-enforcement officers.
(Code 1950, § 46-183; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-171; 1980, c. 456; 1981, c. 585; 1989, c. 727; 1994, c. 176; 2001, c. 834; 2002, c. 254.)
I ride my bike to work and back pretty much every day. I have to mix roads with bike lanes, roads without bike lanes, crossing Rt 29, several other big roads, neighborhoods, etc.
If I'm at a traffic light and there are a bunch of cars (five or more), I slowly roll to the front of the line, make eye contact with the first car driver, and when the light is green, I quickly continue to the right side of the lane and continue, maintaining my speed and position so I am a known entity to the vehicles who can feel comfortable passing me. I AM NOT A HAZARD!
I assume that if there are 20 bikes stopped all in a line at a traffic light, and one car, the car has the right to slowly roll to the front of the line, stay to the left of the bikes, and move when the light is green. Of course that never happens but the "rules" apply either way.
IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO BE COURTEOUS!!!!!!
I encounter hundreds of cars in a given week. I'd bet that once every two weeks, I encounter a car that is behaving inappropriately. It appears that maybe I encounter one of the several jackasses on this website every couple weeks, because the way that some of you are speaking seem to line up with what I encounter. Unbelievable lack of tolerance for anyone who doesn't behave exactly like they do.
Here's the deal: Ride your bike or you motorcycle or your automobile with common sense. If you need to move through traffic, do it carefully and make yourself known by making eye contact, wearing bright clothes, lights if dark, etc. The laws are great, but sometimes the laws don't fit every single situation. This is a manageable situation people.
Sometimes this website is like listening to talk radio. It's f@#king maddening.
Yo,
Please provide examples of "real states."
Siz, we're discussing local law and Virginia state law. I don't what the traffic laws are in Illinois. And I don't know Virginia law as well as I would like to think I do. :)
Just curious, how did you land on a Virginia blog discussing local laws?
Lane splitting on a motorcycle is only legal in California.. and I think it might just be in LA, but I'm pretty sure it's statewide, and I'm positive it's the only state that allows it. (unless some state has changed their mind in the past 2 years, but I doubt it)
The little darling pedestrians attending Darden and the Law School actually slow down their walking rate while crossing Massie Road, as though they dare you to hit them. They seem to have confused "being special" with riding the short yellow bus, which they will be doing very soon, drool running down their chins, when some frustrated driver finally blows his stack, punches the accelerator and sends their self-absorbed little butts sailing into space.
Imagine the surprised look on some gasbag MBA's face when he skids up the hood of an SUV and cartwheels over the roof to land with a wet, satisfying smack on the asphalt. I'd buy a movie ticket to see that.
GSOE:
I drove through Charlottesville one time(in a car) and came across The Hook, so I follow its stories and the goings on in Virginia online.
Now that's interesting! Weird, but interesting! Did you drive through Charlottesville before or after the time period we had police cars running over pedestrians, almost running over pedestrians, and actually killing pedestrians?
Chad Day, thanks for the input. Lane splitting is done pretty much all over the world in large metro areas and is accepted as status quo in most societies. People just don't get spooled up because someone on two wheels just passed them in traffic. Some people just don't see the overall picture because they never got out of "Hooterville", but that's ok, I understand.
Siz, good for you and your navigating skills. You've got to be one heck of person to traverse ChiTown on two wheels and survive. This is really laughable. I can't help but imagine "teacher, Billy ate a cookie in class" (snitch), jeezus, get a life first then tell people how you think they should live. JMO
C'VILLE IS NOT A BIG CITY. Anyone who thinks so, has never lived in a real "big city." In real states, C'ville would be nothing more than a town. The pedestrian strikes I feel are the result of poor lighting, poor drivers, and some pedestrians with an over blown sense of self worth or someone waiting to file a lawsuit.
Re: "I think the code is saying you can pass a vehicle with just cause. I don’t think the law was ever meant to say you can pass anything and everything just to go to the front of the line."
So now you need "cause" to pass a vehicle in the road? Driving a car or riding a bike is about getting from point A to point B. That is all the "cause" you need in order to pass someone. The notion that a bike cannot pass stopped cars is erroneous and is not spelled out in the code samples provided. Unless something is prohibited, it is allowed.
Bikes are allowed to pass cars, cars are allowed to pass bikes, cars are allowed to pass cars, pedestrians are allowed to walk.
Once one of these objects or persons are struck by another, THAT is when an explanation is needed.
This gasbag character writes much, says little.
Gasbag, an honest question (I have no dog in this fight):
You quoted: "§ 46.2-907. Overtaking and passing vehicles.
A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped may overtake and pass another vehicle on either the left or right side, staying in the same lane as the overtaken vehicle, or changing to a different lane, or riding off the roadway as necessary to pass with safety...
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped shall comply with all rules applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle when overtaking and passing. "
I would think that the section that says "A person riding a bicycle... may... pass another vehicle on either the left or right side, staying in the same lane as the overtaken vehicle... as necessary to pass with safety" means that it was otherwise provided for in that section, and as long as they can do it safely, they can lane-split.
Am I misreading it?
In 15 years of riding my bicycle to work, I've never been pulled over for breaking the law:)
Sorry, Frank. I have little tolerance for ANYBODY who thinks the law doesn't apply to them. (And if you've been around here very long you know this certainly applies in the case of the dozen or so crooked lying cops we have in this area)
And no, it's not legal. Bicycles and motorcycles are suppose to obey the same laws that apply to cars and trucks. Stop at red lights, stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, lights after dark, etc... It would be interesting to know where you're from, where all this irresponsible behavior is legal.
WOW Gasbag, I couldn't imagine a bicycle or motorcycle going around a bunch of stalled traffic. I think possibly you're upset because you were in a car (SUV) and couldn't go around. Good thing you don't live in a BIG city. Actually in congested city's that's called "lane splitting" and is LEGAL :0 because it thins out traffic and is safer for two wheeled vehicles then being stuck between you and the bus. "35 feet down the pavement face first"?
You need to up your meds, seriously!!!