A viral suspected drunk driving accident sheds light on cycling safety

NORTH TEXAS — A viral crash has many people thinking about bicycle safety on the road. The video of a suspected drunk driver hitting and then running over two cyclists is sending shockwaves through the cycling community.

“Terrifying. I just find that horrifying,” said cyclist Darin Frost.

Darrin Frost is an avid cyclist who suffered his own accident while cycling last year.

“Having broken my shoulder, back, shoulder blade, four ribs and collapsed a lung on this thing coming off an eight-foot drop at about 20 miles per hour, I know what he’s going through,” said Frost.

Ken “Woody” Smith, owner of Bike Mart Richardson, has been cycling for four decades.

“I recommend riding in groups,” Smith said. “If you ride it alone, it can be a challenge, right? Texas law says we can ride with three or more riders, two or more lanes and include a lane.”

Smith encourages cyclists to have lights on their bikes and not only turn them on at night. He recommends daytime running lights. You can even buy one with a camera. Make sure you have lights on both the front and back of your bicycle.

“You want people to see you from the back, but the front is necessary too because when you come to a T-intersection, sometimes the cars look past you and don’t see you as a cyclist,” Smith said. .”

Wearing brightly colored clothing and a helmet is encouraged to make cyclists more noticeable to motorists.

“A lot of people lean towards a silver or black helmet, but the problem with that is it gets hot and you’re not visible. The brighter colors are better or a white helmet,” Smith said.

Motorists getting out of a parked car are encouraged to look out their side mirror to ensure no cyclists are approaching. Cyclists are terrified of being ‘put through the door’.

“I’ve seen car mirrors brush against people’s elbows while they’re driving, so give them three feet of distance,” Smith said.

“All we need is a little break,” Frost said. “If all we want to do is shave five seconds off your commute or travel time, that’s all you really get.”

The cyclists hope the viral video will encourage everyone to be careful on the road.