(Prius) Driver beaten after car veers into bikers

SFGATE ^ | May 21, 2012 | Demian Bulwa

[csvset]

A Prius driver who was using his cell phone to record footage of a pack of motorcyclists veered into them Sunday morning, prompting some of the bikers to beat him up on a San Mateo County freeway, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The incident unfolded just after 8 a.m. as several motorcycle clubs cruised on Harley-Davidsons and other bikes in the fast lane of northbound Highway 101 near Belmont, between Ralston Avenue and West Hillsdale Boulevard. [snip]

[csvset]

Drive people. Put the !@*+! phone down and drive.

[knarf]

"The Prius driver will be cited for distracted driving, Montiel said, and investigators are hoping witnesses can identify who took part in the alleged assault that followed."

The guy that caused this whole mess and nearly killed two guys gets a "I wet my pants" ticket and the guys that were cold cocked and striking back at the assailant are going to be investigated and probably charged with a felony.

friggin' california.

[RegulatorCountry]

It might be informative to learn just why Mr. Prius felt compelled to videotape bikers in the first place, as far as his being beaten after the collision.

[DemforBush]

You read my mind, FRiend. This doofus could have killed someone (several someones, in fact). Even a little crapbox like a Prius looks awfully darn big when you’re on a bike and said crapbox is coming right at you.

I just wish the bikers would have had time to tattoo “here’s your sign” on the little twerp’s forehead before the cops arrived. /Foxworthy.

[katana]

He was profiling bikers ... hate crime. Bailiff, whack his pee pee!

[shibumi]

I have a feeling that the cops are going to run into quite a few cases of temporary amnesia and hysterical blindness in their quest to investigate.

Too bad about that.

[abercrombie_guy_38]

Yes, we do have laws

[Mr. Blond]

Why is the Prius relevant to this story?

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

And I’ll bet shoes to sh#t the reason he was recording them was because he was outraged over the “greenhouse gases” released by their bikes.

[Fresh Wind]

Motorcycles, especially Harleys, are not politically correct. They are loud, flashy, and often ridden for pure pleasure.

Prius drivers are helping to save the planet, so they feel compelled to strike out against anyone who doesn’t meet their standard of environmental awareness and responsibility.

The only two-wheeled vehicles that Prius drivers respect are pedal powered.

[Josh Painter]

Bad personal wellness move there, Sparky.

[knarf]

Would that include no taking pictures with your iphone while driving?

[equaviator]

My first impression was that this was a group of bicyclists but then came the real picture and now it makes much better sense.

[Aevery_Freeman]

When on my GoldWing, the scariest thing is some idiot on a cellphone because they NEVER see you. My bike is quiet so they don't hear me either.

[Smokin' Joe]

Maybe the Prius driver was jealous...I always got 35+ MPG out of my Harley, and mine wasn’t built for mileage.

[Smokin' Joe]

My bike is quiet so they don't hear me either.

It isn't just a slogan:

Loud pipes save lives. (You can lug it a little where you need to be quiet, or downshift and wake people up.)

[ShadowAce]

Loud pipes save lives.

My neighbors have repeatedly told me that on the infrequent occasions I do wake them up, they just turn over and go right back to sleep.

They don't mind my bike at all--at I have aftermarket pipes with no baffles. I can be quite loud when I want to be.

[Peet]

I just wish the bikers would have had time to tattoo “here’s your sign” on the little twerp’s forehead before the cops arrived. /Foxworthy /Engvall.

FIFY

P.S. As a biker of 40+ years myself, I am terrified of cell-phone idiots. Worst hazard on the road!

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

The Jackwagon driving the Prius should have been cited with attempted vehicular homicide... Some of the guys I ride with would have made sure he wouldn't be driving for some time to come had this happened to them.

[PUGACHEV]

Cell phones are a curse and a blessing with a split of about 80/20. Last week I was behind woman at the CVS with two cell phones, one on either ear, holding two simultaneous conversations, both apparently about nothing.