Another Lost to "Distracted" Driving
I can't say for sure that I've ever met Shawn Smith. Chances are that I likely rode with him at some point, but was likely riding behind him as this elite cyclist disappeared over the hill in front of me. Gainesville, FL has a pretty tight-knit cycling community of riders, with excursions pedaling out daily from the edges of town on to beautiful country roads. Hardly a time goes by that group rides are buzzed by drivers passing too close. Some do it because they are impatient and won't slow down to safely pass. Some to it on purpose because they feel a sick need to harass athletes or recreational riders. Others do it because they are staring at a phone, reaching under a seat, or engaging any one of dozens of activities not conducive to driving. We see it every day as drivers. That car drifting into the bike lane, then rapidly pulling back to where it is supposed to be. Every. Damn. Day. Distracted drivers kill almost ten people a day, and injure about 1000 a day