A 25-year-old cyclist from Upper Austria died on Friday in a truck accident in Graz. Unfortunately, this accidental death is not an isolated case: the blind spot has cost the lives of many pedestrians and cyclists.
There, where in Graz-St. Leonhard crosses Rembrandtgasse and Elisabethstrasse, there are candles since yesterday. Friends of the victim left a handwritten message in a photo frame. “Life is but the blink of an eye,” it says. “Reach out to those you love.”
The day before, just before noon, the tragic accident happened here. There was a fully loaded cement mixer at the intersection, driven by a 58-year-old man from Graz. According to the police, the 25-year-old cyclist drove past the stationary truck on the right and also stopped. When he turned right, the truck driver may have overlooked them. The Upper Austrian from Steyr-Land, who had a second home in Graz, was fatally injured.
Frequent and serious accidents
Klaus Robatsch of the Dutch Road Safety Board knows that the young woman is not the first road user to die in this way. “Situations like this are dangerous and problematic. Accidents happen often and when they do, the severity of injuries is high.”
Drivers don’t stand a chance
Drivers of trucks or buses have no view of their blind spot in such situations (see graph). “Accidents like this often happen to cyclists. Pedestrians are sometimes overlooked in front of the truck because the driver is so high up.”
What would provide more security? “You could separate the phases with a bike path and a traffic light,” says Robatsch. From 2024, all new trucks will also have turning aids. “They automatically brake if there is something in the blind spot.” However, the installation of old trucks is not regulated.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
