EMS arrives on scene

[JiriHrdina]

Most traffic fatalities are definately reported, in fact I believe they all are, except for perhaps when it is someone commiting suicide.

[jayswin]

Not that I would want to hear about suicides, but I always wondered why the media doesn't report on them and just withhold the identity. I know it's obvious that suicide is a private matter, hence why they are not reported, but it's such a huge matter and I wonder if reporting them would raise much needed awarness about such a dificult issue. I learned that there are over a hundred suicides per year in Calgary, or one every four days. I don't think most people are aware of how big the problem is in Calgary.

I know a lot of people on here will disagree with me, but my theory, is that people seem to react more to problems when they are thrown in their face on the news and in the paper, rather than stats that can only be found in little pamphlets that 1% of the population may read. I just feel like reporting suicides while withholding the identity of the victim would create awarness and outcry, that would eventually lead to more funding and hopefully more places and help to turn to.

Thoughts?

[Nehkara]

I'm almost positive this is the accident that the thread is about:

At 9:26 PM Calgary EMS responded to a collision involving a
motorcycle and car at 16 AVE / 13 ST NW. A 19-year-old male
driver of the motorcycle sustained a broken arm and leg. He
was treated by paramedics and transported to the Foothills
Hospital in serious but stable condition. An 18-year-old
female passenger was also treated by paramedics and
transported to the Foothills Hospital with a serious head
injury. Her condition deteriorated after arriving in the
hospital. A 19-year-old occupant of the car was treated at
the scene and released.

The Calgary Police Service is investigating.

http://www.gov.calgary.ab.ca/citybea...234857_23898_0


If you are ever looking for information about a murder or serious car accident, etc then you should always check the CityBeat part of the City Of Calgary website.

It can be found here: http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server....20NewsRoom.htm

[jar_e]

I can tell you first hand that not every fatal accident is documented in the media. Yes, the majority are, but I have known of a few where you won't hear a blurb in the media about it. It's unfortunate, but trust me, it's amazing what the media won't report (even though they are usually well aware of it).

Suicides are always a touchy issue. I'd put the suicide number around the once every four days...attempts happen daily.

Ironically, another accident just happened a block away on 16th and 12th street NW last night.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Not that I would want to hear about suicides, but I always wondered why the media doesn't report on them and just withhold the identity.

Some people would want to have their 15 minutes of fame; even if it's posthumously.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by fleudian

my dad went out to help the guy, i had no idea what was going on. i headed outside when i heard the sirens. i didn't even know the guys were there at all, i was listening to music so i didn't hear them racing.

i posted it on the net because i thought that people need to realize how dangerous this is.

So if you didn't see anything how do you know they were racing?

By the way, I commend your dad for trying to help!

[Ironhorse]

And in the Calgary Herald today (sorry, no linky, it is subscription only) there is a story about a Sherriff pulling over and arresting a motorcycle rider who was speeding at 221 km/h on highway 2 near Red Deer, weaving through traffic.

Perhaps is it the fumes coming out of the gas tank that removes any remains of common sense with these people?

[FurnaceFace]

I believe I saw on the CityTV news crawler the 18 yr old girl died. I don't see anything in the citybeat about it, but I do see this update:

On September 5th 2006 at approximately 9:20pm, a Kawasaki
motorcycle collided with a Ford Mustang in the intersection
of 16 Avenue and 12 Street N.W.. The lone female occupant of
the Mustang was not injured, however, the male operator and
the female passenger of the motorcycle were transported by
EMS, to the hospital.

The male motorcyclist has serious, non life threatening
injuries. The female passenger of the motorcycle received
critical head injuries.

It is not known at this time if speed was a factor but
alcohol has been ruled out as a factor in the collision.

This collision is being investigated by members of the
Calgary Police Service Traffic Section. Anyone with
information about this collision is asked to contact
Constable Dore of the Traffic Section.

[jayswin]

I don't believe you guys are talking about the same accident, as the originla thread was started long before this accident (which happened outside sait) happened. I believe this new acccident just happened last night.

[Coolsurfer79]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Not that I would want to hear about suicides, but I always wondered why the media doesn't report on them and just withhold the identity. I know it's obvious that suicide is a private matter, hence why they are not reported, but it's such a huge matter and I wonder if reporting them would raise much needed awarness about such a dificult issue. I learned that there are over a hundred suicides per year in Calgary, or one every four days. I don't think most people are aware of how big the problem is in Calgary.

I know a lot of people on here will disagree with me, but my theory, is that people seem to react more to problems when they are thrown in their face on the news and in the paper, rather than stats that can only be found in little pamphlets that 1% of the population may read. I just feel like reporting suicides while withholding the identity of the victim would create awarness and outcry, that would eventually lead to more funding and hopefully more places and help to turn to.

Thoughts?

There have been some studies done that have shown that when a suicide is reported in the media that the numbers of suicides increase.

[Superflyer]

I would like to comment on these idiots on street bikes. I know that there are many riders who obey the law and ride very well and for those people I commend them.
What I cannot stand are the ones who will do 140 down Deerfoot and weave in and out of traffic with a hole about 2 feet in size to get into. Also the other thing that I cannot stand is the ads that I hear on the radio usually in the spring and summer saying that "remember motorbikes are back on the streets and make sure to watch for them". That ticks me off. If they are going to be speeding and weaving why should I have to make a councious effort to watch for them when there is enough else going on around me.

Sorry for the little rant there.

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

Also the other thing that I cannot stand is the ads that I hear on the radio usually in the spring and summer saying that "remember motorbikes are back on the streets and make sure to watch for them". That ticks me off. If they are going to be speeding and weaving why should I have to make a councious effort to watch for them when there is enough else going on around me.

Sorry for the little rant there.

Because as a motorist, you are responsible for knowing what is going on around you, and adjust your driving accordingly.

[Superflyer]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Because as a motorist, you are responsible for knowing what is going on around you, and adjust your driving accordingly.

Yes but why should I pay more attention to someone one a bike then to someone in a car. You never hear an ad for watch out for that person taling on a cell phone, while drinking a coffee and trying to put on makeup.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

You never hear an ad for watch out for that person taling on a cell phone, while drinking a coffee and trying to put on makeup.

And to counterpoint, I've also never heard an ad saying to watch out for motorcyclists that are weaving in and out of traffic and speeding either.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

Yes but why should I pay more attention to someone one a bike then to someone in a car. You never hear an ad for watch out for that person taling on a cell phone, while drinking a coffee and trying to put on makeup.

As a motorcyclist I have to say that this is the exact attitude that makes it dangerous for people who don't ride their bikes like idiots.

I've had quite a few close calls and I can tell you exaclty how many have been due to some terrible driver who didn't bother to check their blinds spot...all of them.

You have to look out for people on motorcycles because the vast majority of us are not idiots, and because the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by stupid drivers who don't look where they are going.

Think about it. What is the most commonly used phrase whenever you hear about a motorcycle accident? "I didn't see him coming". Well in my experience every time a car didn't see me coming, it's because they weren't looking.

[RedMan12]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

And in the Calgary Herald today (sorry, no linky, it is subscription only) there is a story about a Sherriff pulling over and arresting a motorcycle rider who was speeding at 221 km/h on highway 2 near Red Deer, weaving through traffic.

Perhaps is it the fumes coming out of the gas tank that removes any remains of common sense with these people?

Perhaps they lacking all the right minerals and make up for it with stupid stunts like these.

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

Yes but why should I pay more attention to someone one a bike then to someone in a car. You never hear an ad for watch out for that person taling on a cell phone, while drinking a coffee and trying to put on makeup.

Bikes are harder to see since they are smaller and a car / truck / suv etc.
That is true, you don't hear ad's like that, but those people are no better than the people speeding 221km/h on a street bike.

[fleudian]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

So if you didn't see anything how do you know they were racing?

because that is what i was told. why are you trying to argue with me?

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by fleudian

because that is what i was told. why are you trying to argue with me?

Basically becasue it bugs me whenever someone automatically blames the motorcyclist when in fact the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by careless people behind the wheel of a car.

Take for instance the article posted above where the bike hit the mustang. I heard this story on the radio and I heard the usual "I didn't even see the bike coming" line. Which as I've said before is usually because they weren't looking.

It just bugs me when I see people go off about the stupid motorcyclists, when in fact they should be talking about a specific motorcyclist, and possibly the dumb ass who pulled into the intersection without looking.

I'll take your word for it that this guy was an idiot and racing, but think about how many bikes you see in a day, and hwo many you see doing stupid things.

I know a lot of people are going to say that just about every motorcycle they see is speeding and doing something stupid, but they need to figure out the difference between see and notice.

Just because the only hockey news people in florida see is about a goon punching a guy in the back of the head doesn't mean that they all do it, and just because most people only take note of the idiots who own bikes doesn't mean that we all are.

[jayswin]

I'll back Shantz' complaint. I can't count the number of times I've been riding and drivers just don't look before switching lanes and almost take me out. I also can't count the number of times I've seen people in cars do far stupider things than I've ever seen anyone do on a bike.