Ashley L. Ellis, a 21 year old woman from West Rutland, Vermont, crashed her car into the back of a motorcycle that had slowed down to make a right-hand turn.

The motorcyclist's injuries are such that he will become a paraplegic for the rest of his life.

Ashley claims it wasn't her fault, and that it was her dog's fault for distracting her. She actually pleaded innocent to the charges of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with serious injury.

Adding insult to her irresponsibility, she had actually been cited in a separate infraction only three hours earlier in the day, for speeding and driving without insurance.

She's now out of jail having paid only 10% of her $10,000.00 bail. I think society might be safer having her stay in jail.

Moreover, she's stupid not to plead guilty. She'd get a lighter sentence if she did. For her to blame this on the dog is evidence that she doesn't put any seriousness on this matter.

Gerry Van Kirk, who runs the Bikers Accident Survivors Forum, is trying to raise publicity on this incident by spreading it across several other forums...

http://pub34.bravenet.com/forum/2876710772/show/1050378

Labels: Driver Distraction

Cognitive Daily, a blog focusing on the science of awareness, offers an interesting article and video trying to explain why cagers often claim that "I just didn't see him" when they strike a motorcycle...

http://scienceblogs.com/..../when_the_color_of_your_vehicle.php

The article offers a couple of video tests offering an explanation that the color of a motorcycle and his/her riding gear, combined with inadequate attention, is why many cagers don't see a motorcycle coming.

Labels: Driver Distraction, Motorcycle Crashes