Woman driver kills motorcyclist: was painting nails

Thunder22 · #1 05-04-2009, 12:04 PM

Driver painting nails runs red light, kills cyclist: cops

LAKE ZURICH | Woman issued traffic citation, charges expected

May 4, 2009

A motorcyclist died Saturday near far northwest suburban Lake Zurich after being hit by a female motorist who allegedly drove through a red light while painting her fingernails, authorities said.

Anita Zaffke, 56, of the 1500 block of Eddy Lane in Lake Zurich, died after suffering apparent chest and abdominal injuries from being thrown 200 feet from her bike about 5:30 p.m. at U.S. 12 at Old McHenry Rd., said Lake County's coroner, Dr. Richard Keller.

Zaffke was stopped at a red light when a Chevy Impala, driven by a woman in her 40s, struck her from behind, said Lake County sheriff's police Sgt. Scott Morrison. Zaffke was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, officials said.

Keller said the motorist told police she was painting her fingernails at the time of the crash and did not notice the light was red.

The woman, whom police did not identify Sunday night, was cited with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, Morrison said. She also was hospitalized after the crash for non-life-threatening injuries.

"The investigation is ongoing, but there should be charges against the woman in the very near future," Morrison said.

X5rolls · #2 05-04-2009, 12:09 PM

Add painting nails to the list including texting and talking on the phone. It's all dangerous and un-necessary.

chilliwilli · #3 05-04-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5rolls

Add painting nails to the list including texting and talking on the phone. It's all dangerous and un-necessary.

Indeed...as an avid rider, i totally cringe when i see such headlines. A completely avoidable circumstance. Not to pick on female drivers but i pulled my bike out of winter storage this past weekend for a brief ride and as i'm riding, i noticed a driver applying make-up with both hands, while perhaps steering with her knees!

motordavid · #4 05-04-2009, 12:09 PM

Stories like that give me the fookin willies...these days, every time
I climb on a scoot for a ride, my paranoia level pegs, even on these
comparatively empty roads here in far western NC.

A sad deal...

vegasX5 · #5 05-04-2009, 01:52 PM

Wow very sad indeed! There was basically nothing the cyclist could do to avoid being rear ended while stopped at a red light! That is always my greatest fear when I'm stopped a light on a motorcycle because I usually relax and put it in neutral and rest my hands on the tank so it would be nearly impossible to react to a situation like this one.

motordavid · #6 05-04-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegasX5

...That is always my greatest fear when I'm stopped a light on a motorcycle because I usually relax and put it in neutral and rest my hands on the tank so it would be nearly impossible to react to a situation like this one.

Me,too if I am in sparse traffic at a light. Otherwise, I tend to keep it
in 1st and eyeball the mirrors for the approaching idiots.

It will be interesting to see what she is charged with; I'm not suggesting
a lynch mob, but sometimes the local DA goes, "hey, those crotch rocket riders are..."

A local bicyclist was very badly injured here in our town, a few weeks ago.
He was literally run down, in daylight. He's a serious cyclist with all the gear and reflective stuff.
The driver was not even issued a ticket; the local genius sheriff said it "was an accident."
Cannot make this stuff up...

Keep your peepers open, out there.

rh71 · #7 05-04-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegasX5

Wow very sad indeed! There was basically nothing the cyclist could do to avoid being rear ended while stopped at a red light! That is always my greatest fear when I'm stopped a light on a motorcycle because I usually relax and put it in neutral and rest my hands on the tank so it would be nearly impossible to react to a situation like this one.

It was noted on another forum that bikers usually go between lanes (sometimes to the front) at red lights because of fears of this... is that true or are they just doing it because they can?

chilliwilli · #8 05-05-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rh71

It was noted on another forum that bikers usually go between lanes (sometimes to the front) at red lights because of fears of this... is that true or are they just doing it because they can?

That's definitely one reason...i just prefer to be ahead and not have to react to any potential hazards.

motordavid · #9 05-05-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rh71

It was noted on another forum that bikers usually go between lanes (sometimes to the front) at red lights because of fears of this... is that true or are they just doing it because they can?

Done on occasion, but carefully...and, seldom done in non-lane splitting
states, which is not allowed in most states.

vegasX5 · #10 05-05-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

Done on occasion, but carefully...and, seldom done in non-lane splitting
states, which is not allowed in most states.

Yes it's illegal in most states - although it is legal here in NV and CA too I believe. I personally do not like or think lane splitting is a good idea however. Many times people will try to switch lanes right at the last second or even after they are stopped at a light and they are not looking out for motorcycles in the way. There is also debris and junk in the road where you would normally lane split, and often there is oil and other slippery stuff in the road right where you go to put down your foot. There's a whole bunch of other reasons why I think it's actually more dangerous (including road ragers who don't like it) than just sitting at a light solo. As stated above, the only thing you can do is be super aware and vigilant and always thinking ahead - unfortunately, there are always incidents that are unavoidable!