The owner of Runtex, an Austin business, is displaying a large banner to raise the public’s awareness of bicyclists.  The banner is partly in remembrance of Gay Simmons Posey, an Austin woman who was killed on Loop 360 while riding ber bicycle in triathlon training.  A car ran over Posey and killed her, and the car never stopped.

According to the Texas Bicycle Coalition, an average of 50 bicyclists are killed while riding in Texas each year.  Here is a link to the article about the banner -

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/Cyclists-Death-Anniversary-91077144.html

It is a great time of year to ride motorcycles in Texas.  The weather has been mild, and the wildflowers are in bloom.  However, safety is paramount.  Many car and truck drivers pay too little attention to motorcycle riders.  Bike riders must constantly be aware of their surroundings and the possible actions of other drivers.  Unfortunately, there are still those that suffer as a result of motorcycle crashes.  Over nine-hundren (900) people dies in Texas in 2008 and 2009 as a result of motorcycle wrecks.  Take a look at this article in the Port Lavaca Wave -

http://portlavacawave.com/articles/2010/04/08/news/doc4bbbac7d2a32a609120930.txt

Many vehicles are repaired after a wreck using aftermarket parts.  When the parts are related to the safety of the vehicle (such as bumpers and structural members), the aftermarket parts might not be as strong or as safe as the original manufaturer parts.  Take a look at this news story -

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/politics&id=7376330

I have been riding motorcycles since I was young, and I am particularly sensitive to safety issues faced by those riding motorcycles.  Whenever I hear of a driver acting recklessly and thereby harming motorcycle riders, I cringe.

Recently, a group of eight motorcycle riders (including an off-duty fire department captain) were stopped at a red light.  They were stopped behind a pickup and a small SUV, when a dump truck plowed into the back of them.  Three riders were killed and six others were injured.  Here is a link to an article about the crash -

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9ELVLU80&show_article=1

Let’s be safe out there.  There is absolutely no excuse for such a horrible crash.

A Parker County grand jury has declined to indict a woman who allegedly hit and killed a 55-year old bicycle rider.  The bike rider was purportedly hit and killed while riding on an I-20 service road in Willow Park, Texas.  Grand jurors decided not to indict the driver for criminally negligent homicide.  A co-worker of the slain man, and a fellow-cyclist, denounced the grand jury’s decision.  Here is a link to a related article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram -

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/31/2081870/parker-county-grand-jury-no-bills.html

Houston has the unfortunate ranking of number one for traffic fatalities.  Most of these fatalities could be avoided by acting responsibly.  Speeding, driving drunk, and changing lanes recklessly are major causes.  According to 2006 through 2008 data, 1,762 people were killed in 1,611 crashes, involving 2,468 vehicles, in Harris and the following surrounding counties: Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Waller, Brazoria, Chambers, Wharton and Liberty.  Here is a link to an article regarding the issue -

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6933939.html

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) has announced the recall by Infantino, LLC of San Diego, California, and offer to replace without charge, certain infant swings.  The CPSC is aware of three reports of death as a result of the allegedly defective swings.  The affected swings are the “Slingrider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” models.  Here is a link to the CPSC’s notice and photos of the affected swings -

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10177.html

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) is reporting that Graco has recalled its Harmony high chair due to the potential that it could fall and injure a child.  Here is a link to the CPSC page with affected model numbers and helpful photos -

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10171.html

Great doctors do great things.  A Texas Christian University sophomore’s arm was severed by a boat motor propeller.  She and some friends had gone on a weekend trip to a lake on her family’s ranch.  The fishing boat in which she was riding lurched forward, throwing her into the lake.  A trauma surgeon was able to reattach the 18-year-old’s arm.  Here is a link to an article about the incident and the surgery -

http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept353744/files/580803.html

An Oregon girl sued a trucking company for life-altering injuries she sustained when her father, a truck driver, accidently drove a semi over her.  The then eight-year-old girl had joined her father and other family members on a long-haul trip.  After they stopped for a break, her father began to drive away while his daughter was still outside.  The girl suffered severe life-lasting injuries to her lower body.  Here is a link to an article about the case -

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/09/2592843/girl-wins-personal-injury-suit.html