Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

This Is What Passes for Traffic “Justice” in America

The "mob" was actually a group of people on bikes trying to flag down a motorist who had hit one of their friends and driven off, dragging his bike. Image: <a href=
The "mob" was actually a group of people on bikes trying to flag down a motorist who had hit one of their friends and driven off, dragging his bike. Image: KGTV San Diego
false

Here's a great example of how American law enforcement tends to produce perverse results when it comes to traffic collisions.

A cyclist in San Diego was hit by a driver and managed to avoid more serious injury by jumping off his bike. Prior to the incident, the motorist had been honking repeatedly at the group the victim was riding with, according to this report from KGTV San Diego.

Although she struck a person, dragged his bike for blocks, and only stopped when confronted by the victims' friends, the driver will receive no ticket and face no criminal charges. In fact, one of the friends who chased the driver down may be charged with a misdemeanor for banging on her window and breaking it. In KGTV's telling, that makes the cyclists a "mob" and the whole incident "a tussle" between them and the driver.

That's how it goes on American streets: Harming a person with your car carries no penalty but harming someone's car most definitely does.

Hat tip Shane Phillips.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

CalBike Summit Roundup

Too many sessions and conversations to cover!

April 26, 2024

Metro Board Funds Free Student Transit Pass Program through July 2025

Metro student free passes funded another year - plus other updates from today's Metro board meeting

April 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines

Inspiration from the Bike Summit; OakDOT proposes standards for temporary safety upgrades; San Diego transforms a fast road in Balboa Park; Stockton transit funding is under threat; More

April 26, 2024

Active Transportation Program Calls for Volunteer Evaluators

Apply to be a volunteer ATP application evaluator by May 10.

April 25, 2024
See all posts