Please DU: Watch for motorcyclists and bicyclists, and always designate a driver

[Algernon Moncrieff]

A motorcyclist killed in a crash with a pickup near Waterloo, Nebraska Friday morning has been identified as Omaha firefighter Scott Petersen.

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/Motorcyclist-Dead-After-Highway-Crash-261205581.html

In the great scheme of things, this is a small, local story. A firefighter is riding a motorcycle; he's hit by a driver who the police allege was drunk; and he's left a widow and children behind. But stories like this happen every day across America, and they are preventable.

Please, whether you support Elizabeth or Hillary; whether you think Snowden is a hero or a traitor; whether you think Shinseki should have resigned or stayed; whether you stand with Occupy or you're a third-wayer; whether you support Obamacare or are holding out for single-payer: PLEASE take that extra look for a motorcyclist or a bike rider and please -- if you are going to have a good time that involves drinking -- designate a driver.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. Drivers stare right at me-- make eye contact-- and then try to run me over.

We just don't register with some people.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

2. It is scary

One other thing -- bike or motorcycle -- always operate a hedlamp (and make sure your lights work). On gray days, on a gray road, somtimes the bikes blens into oncoming traffic.

[Cracklin Charlie]

5. I saw an incident this morning.

And I know that old grouch saw the cyclist. Disgusting.

And while we're at it...why do people speed through parking lots? The very idea that it is a parking lot means that there will be cars slowing, stopping, and backing up. There will be people, old and young, walking, carrying kids and packages, pushing wheeled carts, or holding on to walkers or wheelchairs.

Makes me wanna go all TAWANDA on their butts!

Slow Down, People!

[TexasTowelie]

3. Hit by a young girl driving in reverse while riding my bicycle last summer.

She did not look back while she was driving in reverse and the only reason she stopped was because the passenger told her that she hit someone. I was in shock but fortunately didn't have any severe injuries.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

4. You were very lucky not to be seriously hurt

[Skittles]

6. a coworker of mine, he will never walk again

a couple of years ago he was going home from work on his motorcycle and someone pulled out in front of him - that lady wasn't drunk, wasn't on a cell phone - for whatever reason, she just did not see him. Yes, people need to be more careful and as for liquor, I believe in a zero tolerance - I never drink if I know I will need to drive anywhere - I don't play the "AM I OK TO DRIVE" game - it's zero, end of story.

[Uben]

7. 4 people killed here....

....a lady was passing in a no passing zone...ON A HILL! When she topped the hill she hit two motorcycles killing all four victims on the motorcycles. That is criminal and I hope she goes to prison for her ignorance.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

8. Over the past couple of years, we've had a number of deaths

One, last week, was about 4 miles from the incident in the OP, and on the same street. Combination of bad weather and elder car driver. In 2011, we had a horrific incident in which a drunken young man killed four motorcyclists. Earlier this year, a recently-retired teacher at local high school died in a car-vs.-bicycle wreck.

I'm very tired of seeing advertisements for memorial rides.