The number of children injured or killed by cars while walking or
riding a bike has fallen steadily since the 1970s, but CDC researcher
note that this decline is not because streets are safer, but because
fewer kids are out and about in the first place.

https://bsky.app/profile/washingtonpost.com/post/3lwcb6ze3js2f

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On Wed, 13 Aug 2025 21:08:33 -0500
JAB <here@is.invalid> wrote:

The number of children injured or killed by cars while walking or
riding a bike has fallen steadily since the 1970s, but CDC researcher
note that this decline is not because streets are safer, but because
fewer kids are out and about in the first place.

That makes sense I guess. Any kid who gets hit by a modern American
truck, say a recent Ford F-150, is going to get obliterated. I'm
shocked by how large American cars have gotten.

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On Wed, 13 Aug 2025 20:14:11 -0600, Retrograde
<fungus@amongus.com.invalid> wrote:

but CDC researcher note that this decline is not
because streets are safer, but because
fewer kids are out and about in the first place.

That makes sense I guess.

A lot more bike lanes available these days.

When I was a kid, I walked or rode a bike to school....if done now, it
may be against the law for the distances I traveled. Many kids are
bused to school now.

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On 8/13/2025 10:14 PM, Retrograde wrote:

On Wed, 13 Aug 2025 21:08:33 -0500
JAB <here@is.invalid> wrote:

The number of children injured or killed by cars while walking or
riding a bike has fallen steadily since the 1970s, but CDC researcher
note that this decline is not because streets are safer, but because
fewer kids are out and about in the first place.

That makes sense I guess. Any kid who gets hit by a modern American
truck, say a recent Ford F-150, is going to get obliterated. I'm
shocked by how large American cars have gotten.

The height and blind spots are the problem. Modern trucks and SUV's
have massive blind spots in front, 8+ feet, sometimes. Here's a quick
video, look at a minute and 8 seconds into the video, he can't see any
of those children piled up in front of his car, and his car isn't even
one of the *big* ones today.

https://kmph.com/news/local/dangerous-blind-spots-in-trucks-and-suvs-cause-hundreds-of-child-deaths

I can see everything in front of and around me when I'm in my little Geo
Metro. Even when I'm in my huge 1984 Pontiac Parisienne wagon, 3 rows
to seat 8 people, there's a clear line where the hood ends, minimal
front blind spots... Those freight-liner sized station wagons and
sedans used to be the biggest we had. My wagon has easy visibility all
around. Rear cameras and airbags don't make up for the danger of these
blind spots.

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On Thu, 14 Aug 2025 11:44:34 -0400, Michael Trew
<michael.trew@att.net> wrote:

The height and blind spots are the problem

379 Peterbilt drivers would disagree....its the driver that is the
problem.

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In misc.news.internet.discuss, JAB <here@is.invalid> wrote:

Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:

The height and blind spots are the problem

379 Peterbilt drivers would disagree....its the driver that is the
problem.

Okay, fine. Let's require a commercial driver's license, with all the
training and testing that requires, for driving these huge modern
pick-up trucks.

Elijah
------
or start doling out real consequences for traffic law violations

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On Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:35:28 -0000 (UTC), Eli the Bearded <*@eli.users.panix.com> wrote:

379 Peterbilt drivers would disagree....its the driver that is the
problem.

Okay, fine. Let's require a commercial driver's license,

I believe all US states have these tidbits in their laws:

AI Overview - Basic driving rules include obeying traffic laws,
staying aware of surroundings, and maintaining a safe vehicle and
driving practices.

huge modern pick-up trucks. [and SUVs]

What some/many drivers may not realize is the higher off the ground a
driver sits, the perceived speed seems slower.

Speculation - These drivers tend to drive faster than the speed limits
where a smaller chance of being ticketed exists.

Lights - Another issue for these vehicles, where their low beams can
be quite bright for oncoming traffic on two lane roadways.

Also, when a pickup's bed is loaded, their low/high beams beam out
farther, and affects drivers ahead of them, and oncoming drivers.
Europeans dealt with this issue years ago, with headlamps that adjust
their position, but not in the US.

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On Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:35:28 -0000 (UTC)
Eli the Bearded <*@eli.users.panix.com> wrote:

In misc.news.internet.discuss, JAB <here@is.invalid> wrote:

Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:

The height and blind spots are the problem

379 Peterbilt drivers would disagree....its the driver that is the
problem.

Okay, fine. Let's require a commercial driver's license, with all the training and testing that requires, for driving these huge modern
pick-up trucks.

Hear hear! Don't forget American RVs - some are now the size of a
Greyhound Bus approximately. And they're largely driven by geriatric
retirees with slow reflexes and failing eyesight. (No offense intended
to the Usenet crowd.)

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On Fri, 15 Aug 2025 20:01:18 -0600, Retrograde
<fungus@amongus.com.invalid> wrote:

Don't forget American RVs

State laws vary, but some states do require a "non-commercial Class A
or Class B license, or even a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), for
larger, heavier RVs or when towing a vehicle."

driven by geriatric retirees

"Generally, age does not directly correlate to higher RV insurance
premiums in the same way it might for younger drivers"

"While age isn't the sole determining factor, as drivers get older,
they may experience higher premiums as reflexes can slow, and other
age-related factors can contribute to an increased accident risk,
according to AutoInsurance.com and Freeway Insurance.

However, many insurance companies do offer discounts for senior
drivers, especially those with good driving records and those who take advantage of available discounts. "

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On Fri, 15 Aug 2025 20:01:18 -0600, Retrograde
<fungus@amongus.com.invalid> wrote:

geriatric retirees with slow reflexes and failing eyesight.

There are seniors with failing eyesight, but younger generations tend
to stereotype seniors. I'm not sure how "slow reflexes" is an issue
if a person's undivided attention is focused upon driving.


Bob Hoover - At 77 years old Hoover still felt capable of performing
and passed a FAA physical post-retirement, but he was unable to obtain insurance for air shows.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hoover>

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On Fri, 15 Aug 2025 20:01:18 -0600, Retrograde
<fungus@amongus.com.invalid> wrote:

slow reflexes

Insurance companies seek ways to increase the rates, and slow reflexes
might pull the wool over most people's eyes, but I'm not aware of
supporting evidence (accidents due to slow reflexes).

Ten Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

Distracted driving
Drunk or drugged driving
Poor weather conditions
Reckless driving and road rage
Speeding
Disobeying red and yellow lights
Running stop signs
Improper turns
Road hazards
Drowsy driving https://www.levininjuryfirm.com/blog/what-is-common-cause-car-accidents/

Around 75 years of age, insurance companies tend to increase the
rates, despite someone having a proven track record of no accidents/tickets...over say 30 years.

I believe "slow reflexes" is a red herring...there are people of all
ages who "freeze up" (real slow reflexes), but I don't think age is
related to this topic.

failing eyesight

If an optical coherence tomography scan (OCT scan) is done by an
optometrist, seniors who pass have good/decent vision.


I'm not aware of other US states' laws, but where I live, someone with
failing eyesight would fail the eye test administered.

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On 8/14/2025 3:35 PM, Eli the Bearded wrote:

In misc.news.internet.discuss, JAB <here@is.invalid> wrote:

Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:

The height and blind spots are the problem

379 Peterbilt drivers would disagree....its the driver that is the
problem.

Okay, fine. Let's require a commercial driver's license, with all the training and testing that requires, for driving these huge modern
pick-up trucks.

I was just about to post back... Peterbilt drivers have special
training for those semi-trucks. Your average Joe feels like he's
invincible in his high HP jacked up truck.

Compare again my big old 1984 Pontiac wagon. It has a slow 145 HP Chevy
305 engine. It takes time to get up to speed. The new 2024 Chevy 1500
truck comes with a *BASE* engine of 310 HP, most are likely equipped a
lot faster. The 6.2L V8 increases HP to 420. Paired with the terrible visibility, it's a deadly combo.

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On 8/14/2025 4:55 PM, JAB wrote:

On Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:35:28 -0000 (UTC), Eli the Bearded <*@eli.users.panix.com> wrote:

huge modern pick-up trucks. [and SUVs]

What some/many drivers may not realize is the higher off the ground a
driver sits, the perceived speed seems slower.

I've noticed the same, borrowing someone's larger modern vehicle. Many
modern vehicles also handle and accelerate so smoothly, that you feel
like you are going a lot slower than you actually are.

Also, when a pickup's bed is loaded, their low/high beams beam out
farther, and affects drivers ahead of them, and oncoming drivers.
Europeans dealt with this issue years ago, with headlamps that adjust
their position, but not in the US.

Both a loaded bed or hauling a trailer will raise the lights, truly
blinding drivers at night. I hate to suggest a license for a light
trailer, but there should be some way to make these people adjust their headlights when hauling a load.

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On 8/15/2025 10:01 PM, Retrograde wrote:

Hear hear! Don't forget American RVs - some are now the size of a
Greyhound Bus approximately. And they're largely driven by geriatric retirees with slow reflexes and failing eyesight. (No offense intended
to the Usenet crowd.)

My grandfather was furious when he hit 80 and his insurance company of
many years raised his rates, even though he hadn't an accident or ticket
in decades.

On a related note, several years ago, I owned a 1997 Chevy Lumina, and Progressive charged almost twice as much to insure this as my '89
Oldsmobile Cutlass wagon. The agent told me that Luminas are
statistically in more accidents, and stereo-typically the Cutlass is
normally driven carefully by elderly people, less likely to get in an
accident.

FWIW, an uninsured driver totaled my Lumina just months after purchase.
Progressive dodged a bullet, I switched companies due to the high rate
on the Lumina. The new company had to pay out because I had "uninsured motorist coverage". I had the Cutlass for at least 5 years, and I sold
it for more than I paid for it.

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On Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:44:42 -0400, Michael Trew
<michael.trew@att.net> wrote:

Peterbilt drivers have special training

I'm not aware, but there is a PETERBILT TECHNICIAN INSTITUTE for
mechanics.

https://www.uti.edu/programs/diesel/specialized-training/peterbilt-pti

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