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Dear List:<br>
<br>
We have read many times here about predatory drivers ,
frequently accompanied by a request for corroborating identification,
who intentionally threaten and menace bicyclists. Traffic congestion
rises with population density, as does the frustration of motorists
with bicyclists "taking the lane" when necessary. In order for the
authorities to revoke<i> </i>the licenses of these individuals <i>before</i>
they kill/injure someone, there must be a way to objectively document
their behavior. There are already "Bad Driver" websites which
unofficially blog incidents. What I'm proposing is a
state-sanctioned/sponsored digital repository of video-clips that have
been approved for posting by local police. These could be provided by
pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists.<br>
<br>
The price of CMOS memory and lens technology is now low enough
to where it is practicable for helmet manufacturers to make a shell
with an integrated (but replaceable) Forward/Rearward facing lenses and
video recorder.
Just as commercial
airplanes and late model cars incorporate "black boxes", whose data is
used to diagnose the cause of the accident, such a built-in system
which would continuously videograph while the chin strap is clicked,
running a 2/4/8/16(?)-hour "digital tape loop". When the unthinkable
happens it would tell authorities:<br>
<ul>
<li>Relative speeds of vehicles</li>
<li>Who, if anyone, swerved into who's path</li>
<li>Who, if anyone, ran the stop sign/light</li>
<li>Other mitigating/incriminating factors<br>
</li>
</ul>
Manufacturing <i>economies of scale</i> would be achieved by
marketing this helmet to those who
simply want hassle-free documentation of where they've been, or their
"screaming descent"/"single track"
exploits. (The systems presently available are too
complex for "Click 'n' Go" use.).<br>
<br>
Q: Would the coalition be willing to draft an official letter
to the CHP and other state agencies soliciting their endorsement of
this concept? This could then be forwarded to Bell/Giro/Blackburn et.
al.<br>
<br>
My 2¢<br>
<br>
Omar Firestone<br>
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