In Memoriam Johnny Gaudreau & Matthew Gaudreau killed by drunk driver while cycling (MOD WARNING. No Flaming, Trolling, or Politics.)

[snag]

RIP
Shocking

Had a relative that passed away a couple weeks ago....commented to my wife "why do these things shock us more than when something happens to someone we actually know?"

Weird how celebrity works.

 

[nowhereman]

I don't know if this is the case anywhere in North America, but there are some countries in Europe where you can be granted a special driver's license after a DUI, where you're only allowed to drive a car that starts after a breathalyzer test.

I think it should be standardized in all new cars though.

They have this in Canada and the US. It is up to the discretion of a judge/superintendent but you can receive an ignition interlock for several years.

I do like the idea of a breathalyzer in new cars. I know some will complain about their rights and freedoms but driving is a privilege. The issue is that those interlock systems will go off with hand sanitizer or mouthwash, so they aren't reliable. But, if the technology can be improved, it could be a valuable way to save lives. I've also felt the same way about new cars and speeding. Computers should be able to prevent a person from speeding, by capping speed relative to the speed limit and/or driving conditions.

Breathalyzers are easily bypassed

How? The new systems have cameras.

 

[swiftwin]

Well then you need to go downtown Edmonton...and I am not saying they don't follow the same rules. I am saying they have the right of way over cars turning right across a bike lane on their right.

And anyone arguing this doesn't read the signs and shouldn't be on the road either

Oh, well, yes if it's a bike lane, of course you have to yield. Like you said, there's literally a sign there that says you have to yield.

But of there's no bike lane, cyclists are not supposed to pass you on the right. Especially not in a right turning lane. That's suicidal. They should be taking the middle lane.

 

[abo9]

Absolutely not. And I say this as someone who was hit by a driver so drunk he passed out with his foot on the gas, t-boning me. You know what happened to him? Not a f***ing thing. I called the cops several times, nobody ever showed up. This prick lives a couple blocks away from me, I'd see him driving to work almost every day even after the crash.

However the solution isn't to punish everyone for the actions of the stupid few. Most people know their limits and stick within them. Lowering the tolerance to 0 only hurts those people. The other morons are still going to get obliterated and drive, as they've made it clear they don't care about the law. Punish those assholes harder. Don't make even more laws that only hurt the average law abiding citizen

Here's where I disagree; just because it's currently allowed in small quantities doesn't mean it should.

You wanna drink? Don't drive. Same goes for smoking pot.
You're gonna drive? Don't drink.

Pretty simple stuff really

 

[DaGap]

They have this in Canada and the US. It is up to the discretion of a judge/superintendent but you can receive a ignition interlock for several years.

I do like the idea of a breathalyzer in new cars. I know some will complain about their rights and freedoms but driving is a privilege. The issue is that those interlock systems will go off with hand sanitizer or mouthwash, so they aren't reliable. But, if the technology can be improved, it could be a valuable way to save lives. I've also felt the same way about new cars and speeding. Computers should be able to prevent a person from speeding, by capping speed relative to the speed limit and/or driving conditions.

Yeah no thanks

 

[Uberpecker]

This can't be true. It just can't. I'm so saddened by this I have no words. And it's not even about him being a great hockey player and everything, which he obviously was.

It's too early to analyze the causes, but as a cyclist myself, I will say this: Automobiles kill. Not just our habitat, but people. The fact that an intoxicated person even has the chance to steer a 2+ ton machine into public space with who knows how much horsepower is literally insane. And when I say literally, I mean literally.

It's a systemic problem.

 

[JKG33]

Here's where I disagree; just because it's currently allowed in small quantities doesn't mean it should.

You wanna drink? Don't drive. Same goes for smoking pot.
You're gonna drive? Don't drink.

Pretty simple stuff really

More laws aren't the solution. The people under the legal limit aren't the ones causing these incidents. It's the ones way over

 

[Turin]

sounds like a winner, probably supports the death penalty too!

Do you have kids?

 

[BigFatCat999]

Well, it shows that anger is grieving emotion

 

[tarheelhockey]

Again, tagging on "no offense" doesn't make a statement not offensive.

If you don't understand that a statement of “X is a dangerous place to be, I would avoid it because of incidents like this one” doesn't come packaged with an implicit judgment of someone that would choose to be there, maybe just keep it to yourself.

If a choice shouldn't have been made yesterday evening it was to drink and drive recklessly. Taking a bike-ride with your brother is not a bad choice to make.

First, you don’t get to tell other people what their statements mean.

Taking a bike ride in a rural area at sundown/night is a dangerous choice. It just is. Your desire for that to be a safe activity doesn’t supersede the plain fact that it is not safe.

Making a choice to do an inherently dangerous thing does not make you accountable for a crime committed against you.

 

[Intermission]

Never going to be enough mercy.

The love here can not be erased.

 

[Turin]

ok, your avatar explains all.

Yes. Persona 3 is relevant here.

 

[AKL]

There's a significant difference in speed between cyclists and pedestrians. Even a casual cyclist could be doing 10 mph past a pedestrian walking 2 mph.

How fast do you think Gaudreau was going on this road where the speed limit is 50?

 

[OilerTyler]

A lot of weird victim blaming going on in here.

 

[JKG33]

First, you don’t get to tell other people what their statements mean.

Taking a bike ride in a rural area at sundown/night is a dangerous choice. It just is. Your desire for that to be a safe activity doesn’t supersede the plain fact that it is not safe.

Making a choice to do an inherently dangerous thing does not make you accountable for a crime committed against you.

It's amazing how people can't seem to separate the two.

Biking at night on the road is an inherently dangerous activity. Saying so does not mean you support someone going for a cruise and crushing beers

 

[Colezuki]

some of you need to go outside and touch grass, the family and the hockey world is grieving the loss of a family member and your debating the merits on cycling safety

Read the room

 

[Fish on The Sand]

Unfortunately, the same can be said of the drivers family. It's easy to simply say "f*** that piece of shit. Lock him up for life. He deserves death, etc. etc." But whatever his deserved punishment ends up being, it will absolutely have a devastating effect on his own innocent children. And his wife (and more than likely extended family) now has to face raising them while he's in jail and deal with the financial ramifications of his actions while he's unable to make a living.

This whole thing is why I wish people would just slow down, take a deep breath and really think through their actions.

Even if the driver hadn't plowed through two innocent cyclists, he was still at risk of getting caught and catching a DUI or seriously injuring or killing himself which would've impacted his own family.

Same goes for the aggressive and impatient driving. It's crazy to me all the people who, even stone sober, drive around public roads thinking they need to be Dale Earnhardt in the Daytona 500 and do things like make dangerous lane changes simply because the next lane is moving 1MPH faster or lay on their horn and/or cross into oncoming traffic when someone in front of them takes their time to make a safe turn. Not only is there the risk of a serious accident (like killing multiple innocent bicyclists), but it also seems like everyday there's another road rage fueled shooting.

But I also hate alcohol.

The irony here is that Dale Earnhardt died in a crash at the Daytona 500.

 

[JPT]

It was mostly about the complete lack of clarity and consistency in how they treat DUI/DWIs.

That's a fair observation, but I'm still not sure it really applies to what I said. Consistency in application of the law and punishments for violating the law is certainly worth discussing and improving, but what I am saying is the kind of law that allows the police to charge you with a crime that never actually happened is dangerous territory that runs counter to the idea of a free society.

 

[ShelbyZ]

The irony here is that Dale Earnhardt died in a crash at the Daytona 500.

That reference was slightly intentional. Even a guy who's a pro at aggressive driving can meet an unfortunate result.

 

[Bizz]

A lot of weird victim blaming going on in here.

I've personally seen road bicyclists do a ton of dumb shit over the years that's gotten them hurt or in trouble.

This is far from the case here with this incident. It's shocking that people can't tell the difference.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

What a tragedy.
Today supposed to be happy day for Gaudreau family
but instead of the weddings there will be funerals it is insane how usual drunk driving is.

Johnny Gaudreau was phenomenal NHL hockey player
who would've deserved to win multiple stanley cups but not getting killed
by an 43 yrs old brainless idiot who decided to drive a car instead of take a taxi.

Hopefully that bastard spends next 20 yrs of his life in jail.
It was an honour to watch Johnny hockey playing against team Finland in IIHF worlds.

RIP Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Worst f***ing news but I dislike hearing it outside in the world of people who aren't as big of hockey fans and have been as solid as following the saga of Gaudreau signing with Columbus and potentially doubting him before he made the NHL simply for the reason of Calgary having a history of not developing prospects well and I'm sure as glad he proved me wrong!

We could talk about how he left Calgary for Columbus because of money. No, he left because he wanted to be close to family as the Ohio memes and jokes were a thing. He was... close to family. Today was supposed to be his sister's wedding but he was with his brother this morning. Before I went to bed I read something on Instagram how people weren't hoping it was true. It didn't just hit me, it knocked me out hoping it wasn't true. I woke up seeing this and it put me on a bit of an emotional roller coaster.

All that to say, Calgary and Columbus need to retire Johnny's numbers. He may have not gotten Columbus in the playoffs, but he chose Columbus and gave everything he could after being one of the best Calgary Flames ever! On November 29th and December 3rd.

RIP Matthew and Johnny

PS Sorry for seeming dramatic, but I wanted to get this off my chest somewhere people will understand.

 

[Johnny Tomala]

I got this news while I was on my way to work. Big tragedy, Gaudreau was one of my favorite players. He will be missed. Condolences to his family.

 

[LordBacon]

some of you need to go outside and touch grass, the family and the hockey world is grieving the loss of a family member and your debating the merits on cycling safety

Read the room

Nah, my opinions, insight and superiority complex are more important.

 

[crazyfisherman]

Its still baffling to me that getting caught drunk driving doesnt cause you to lose or at least suspend your license.