Posted by Gerard, a resident of the Portola Valley: Ladera neighborhood, on Nov 19, 2010 at 12:25 pm

Three accidents in a seven-year period is too many, even if there's no evidence of illegal driving. Obviously, this is not a defensive driver. Time for him to find another occupation.

Posted by MenloShopper, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Nov 19, 2010 at 12:29 pm

I saw the big rig and trailer and it was one of the longest I've ever seen.

That in itself is important and has not been mentioned in the coverage.

In addition, then was it the same or a similar rig involved in the SC

accident. And how often are big rigs involved in bike incidents,

and what are rules applying to drivers involved in two? The reporting

on this accident needs to address these basic issues.

Posted by WhoRUpeople, a resident of another community, on Nov 19, 2010 at 1:42 pm

The facts are that this man, unfortunately, was involved in two fatal accidents previously, neither of which were even remotely his fault. THe only "basic issues" that should be involved here are those pertaining to this unfortunate accident.

Posted by Joe, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Nov 19, 2010 at 1:56 pm

I couldn't agree more.

Posted by MenloShopper, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Nov 19, 2010 at 3:02 pm

A 'basic issue' is whether the type of vehicle, more than the driver,

is a significant cause here. Of course there is also the roadway

configuration, but one can hardly see why the type of information

mentioned would not be useful. It sounds like some people have

figured it all out already. Good for you.

Posted by Donald, a resident of another community, on Nov 19, 2010 at 7:23 pm

Is the atrocious record of this driver just phenomenally bad luck, or is he basically sloppy in an extremely dangerous vehicle. I don't know of anybody who has been involved in 3 fatal collisions and continues driving as if it was everyday business. The attitude of the CHP in this case is despicable. "There's really only so much (drivers) can do," is a rationalization of crappy driving. There is, in fact, a lot more that drivers can do to drive safely. We just don't have the will as a society to require drivers to do that much.

Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Nov 19, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Donald:

have you even considered the possibility that the bicyclist might have been at fault? Didn't think so.

Posted by David, a resident of another community, on Nov 19, 2010 at 11:37 pm

So sad that this happened. That interchange is scary. When we cyclists leave the stop sign we have a choice of moving to the right, which means crossing the lane of traffic getting onto 280 southbound just when drivers are starting to accelerate, or holding our line and aiming for the line dividing the thru lanes from the entrance ramp. Either way, you also have a serious visibility issue with the light change from the shadow of the bridge at that hour on a sunny day. The trucker had to have been moving towards the right at that point. At any rate, I don't think we should judge the driver until all the facts are in. He is on the road all day for a living and more likely to have an accident. Not much a trucker can do when a car crosses the center line as in one accident and it sounds like there was video evidence that he he was not at fault in the other bike crash.

Posted by Hmmm, a resident of another community, on Nov 20, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Why do cyclists insist on riding in dangerous areas, as David mentions above? When I cycled a lot, I did whatever I could to avoid dangerous conditions and areas prone to accidents. We will continue to have tragic accidents since cycling has become so popular and this area's population has increased, which has increased driving traffic. It doesn't matter that cyclists have rights when they end up injured or dead.

Posted by David, a resident of another community, on Nov 21, 2010 at 12:48 am

@Hmmm:Unfortunately, almost every public road has a dangerous spot. Alpine Rd. itself is busy, but for the most part is great for riding as it has good shoulders and visibility. So does Juniper Sera, but getting from Junipero to Alpine involves a tricky intersection, too. It is just a reality of road riding and it requires attention on everyone's part. Unfortunately, some cyclists push their luck and ignore the rights of drivers and all too often drivers are distracted by phones, text messaging, food, gps systems and the like. I am not saying that is what happened here, but they are problems I see every time I get on my bike. Everybody needs to slow down a little and remember that the road is not our own private entitlement.

Posted by marty, a resident of the Portola Valley: Ladera neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2010 at 12:21 am

Perhaps it is time Mr. Vera to sue the estates of careless cyclists. He must be suffering emotionally as the consequence of this tragic accident. It is absurdly precipitate for Lauren Perdriau's family to be suing. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Families always want to believe that their loved one was innocent of making a mistake. In real life, even experienced cyclists make mistakes, especially if tired after a long ride.

It is also incumbent upon both drivers and cyclists to be careful, but there is an extra burden for cyclists because they must always remember that truck drivers can't see them!

I know this intersection well, and, in my opinion, anyone on a bike can clearly see it is hazardous for them.