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Natchez Trace records its second cyclist death of 2009
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Natchez Trace Parkway
David B. Allison Sr., 48, was struck from behind Friday by a 2001 Ford Escape on the Trace near milepost 288 in Prentiss County.
According to Trace authorities, the vehicle hit Allison while trying to pass him. Allison reportedly veered into the vehicle’s lane as the driver passed him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death is the second bicycle fatality on the Trace in 2009. In April, 51-year-old cyclist Esther Hagemen of the Netherlands was hit and killed by an SUV while riding her bike in Chickasaw County.
A third cyclist death in Northeast Mississippi occurred in August when a Tupelo High School student, John Paul Frerer, was killed after being struck by a vehicle on state Highway 6 near Thaxton.
Because of the Trace’s narrow lanes, cyclist-vehicle encounters are a bit closer than they are on normal roads. A normal highway road is 24 feet wide, compared to 22 feet on the Trace.
According to an obituary in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Allison is survived by sons Patrick and David, Jr.; daughter Gwyndolyn and his parents, Avenelle and Bill Allison. He was born in Meridian and moved with his family to Jackson in 1972.
He graduated from Jackson Prep and continued his education at Vanderbilt University. His work took him to a number of places, and he was living in Austin, Texas.
Contact Danza Johnson at (662) 678-1583 or danza.johnson@djournal.com.
1. The road speed limit is too high or the facility is poorly designed to accommodate all users.
2. You don't need a driver's license.
The NTP is a national park, a scenic byway and is not intended for people to use in an unsafe manner. Bicycling is encouraged by the park service with special camping facilities, maps, etc. People come from all over the country and the world for that matter.
I live in Nashville and I've ridden from Natchez all the way home - every mile of the NTP. Frankly, I can't decide which is less safe - Jackson or Tupelo. But I'll tell you this: both are about the scariest places I've ever ridden. The speeds of motor vehicles and the drivers squeezing by bicyclists is just unacceptable.
Local folks, it's your community and any apathy or any "oh well" attitude sets the stage for future incidents like this.
Demand your community and the park service make it safer for users of the NTP and the roads in your community and state. Bicyclists are not second-class users of any roadway.
Peace
However, the bottom line is that no matter the road or highway Mississippi Laws prevail and there are a few basic rules everyone should understand:
1. Per MS Law, Bicycles ARE vehicles and the same laws and rights apply.
2. Per MS Law, If you are going to pass a bicycle or any other vehicle, you must first obey the signage and lines in the middle of the road and you must give "safe distance" to the vehicle you are overtaking.
A safe distance to the left would include moving into other lane of traffic. You would not try to “share” the lane with another car when passing, so why would you think that it is wise to “share” the lane with a cyclist when passing. You would not try to pass another car on a double yellow line…much less a double yellow line going up a hill with a curve approaching, but it happens all too often to cyclists. I have to assume motorist think it is OK to do this because the cyclists are traveling at a slower rate.
As a cyclist, I ask that you please give at least 3 feet in all directions. Let's all share the road...just not the same lane when passing.
But anywho, I'm not sure what needs to be done, the trace is awful small to try biking down, but of course widening requires money.....
May he rest in peace.
Mississippi needs to pass the 3-foot law like other states have, and this needs to be enforced.
More education needs to be done in drivers ed on right-away rules with bicycles and pedestrians.
What is the punishment for striking a bicycle? I don't know, does anyone else? What ever it is, it should be severe enough to make drivers show respect and common sense.