Casualities during car rallies?

CiniO

Two spectators killed today in Cavan Stages rally.

One of the cars participating in the rally went out of control and left the road, striking a number of spectators who were positioned nearby.
The two deceased – one male and one female – were pronounced dead at the scene.

http://www.thejournal.ie/two-spectators-killed-in-accident-at-cavan-stages-rally-465056-May2012/

What I'm wondering here is, how does it work with responsibility? Will the driver be accused for causing the accident? His car went out of control, but this was on closed special stage, where he is meant to go as fast as he can. Loosing control unfortunately happens in rallies pretty often.

flyingsnail

I have often seen people stupidly position themselves on corners at these events, it might give you a better vantage point but its where the car is going if he loses it on the corner.

Oranage2

Firstly RIP but looking at youtube videos some people position themselves at the worst possible places I dont know how more deaths dont happen.

Happyman42

CiniO wrote: »

Two spectators killed today in Cavan Stages rally.


http://www.thejournal.ie/two-spectators-killed-in-accident-at-cavan-stages-rally-465056-May2012/

What I'm wondering here is, how does it work with responsibility? Will the driver be accused for causing the accident? His car went out of control, but this was on closed special stage, where he is meant to go as fast as he can. Loosing control unfortunately happens in rallies pretty often.

I stopped going to rallies as spectator safety is not a high priority for organisers. Just have a look at youtube vids and see where spectators are encouraged or allowed to stand. Any car, driven by any driver, can go out of control, at any time.

CiniO

Happyman42 wrote: »

I stopped going to rallies as spectator safety is not a high priority for organisers. Just have a look at youtube vids and see where spectators are encouraged or allowed to stand. Any car, driven by any driver, can go out of control, at any time.

Organising places for spectators by organisers is one thing, but keeping your own safety as a spectator is another.
It's hard to understand why would you want to stop going to rallies, because organisers don't pay maximum attention to safety. You can always watch if from a safe place and avoid dangerous ones.

Happyman42

CiniO wrote: »

Organising places for spectators by organisers is one thing, but keeping your own safety as a spectator is another.
It's hard to understand why would you want to stop going to rallies, because organisers don't pay maximum attention to safety. You can always watch if from a safe place and avoid dangerous ones.

Rallying in Ireland is not safe because organisers aren't stringent enough, events like today are sadly inevitable. Final straw for me was when a rally club allowed impromtu doughnutting by a succession of drivers, only 15 or 20 feet from spectators. The organisers even had an MC commentating excitedly on it. It was meant to be a simple drive past and I allowed my children to get close as they where small. Anything could have gone wrong, I couldn't get to them to bring them to a 'safe place'. Irresponsible and indicative of the ruling bodies mindset I'm afraid. A hell of a lot more could be done. Do they even ask that drivers pass a test before they are allowed to take part? They are ensuring that insurance premiums and public opinion will finish off the sport here.

scamalert

As for driver he wont be responsible,in events like rally if you are on their way like crossing a road they dont even need to break,in this case the spectators were at fault sadly as they didn't choose safe distance or place to watch.One good advice i was given during photography classes,if you ever take pictures of rally events make sure you stand in front of a large tree.As there is little to do when cars are doing 120mph on average to avoid accidents.rip for the lads.

Conor_M1990

Ah lads I really think its too early to starting pointing fingers and blaming people and trying to analyse what happened.Two people have died and another 7 are in hospital

RIP thoughts are with the familys of the deceased

The Guvnor

RIP to those involved - 5 more injured. Heard on the radio he hit the side of house as well?

Feel bad for the driver and co-pilot and all involved really.

billyboswell

rip and a speedy recovery to those injured a sad day

BrianD3

RIP to those killed, spectator deaths are rare in motorsport but there's always a risk even when the organisers think they've done everything necessary to minimise it.

I was just looking at Conor Daly's crash from the Monaco GP3 race. Had that happened a few years ago there would have been a grandstand and no catch fencing at that location

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpfXCZa1yYc

Happyman42

Happyman42 wrote: »

Rallying in Ireland is not safe because organisers aren't stringent enough, events like today are sadly inevitable. Final straw for me was when a rally club allowed impromtu doughnutting by a succession of drivers, only 15 or 20 feet from spectators. The organisers even had an MC commentating excitedly on it. It was meant to be a simple drive past and I allowed my children to get close as they where small. Anything could have gone wrong, I couldn't get to them to bring them to a 'safe place'. Irresponsible and indicative of the ruling bodies mindset I'm afraid. A hell of a lot more could be done. Do they even ask that drivers pass a test before they are allowed to take part? They are ensuring that insurance premiums and public opinion will finish off the sport here.

They should go and watch motorcycle road racing to see how it done properly, they are very strict on where they allow spectators to position themselves.
RIP

Big Nasty

BrianD3 wrote: »

I was just looking at Conor Daly's crash from the Monaco GP3 race. Had that happened a few years ago there would have been a grandstand and no catch fencing at that location

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpfXCZa1yYc

Fup me! :eek:

That marshal or whatever he is from 0.12 on would have got himself mangled 20 years ago. Didn't even flinch.

L-M

Lads i'm gonna close this. it's only going to go one way and that's eventually going to be an argument.

Condolences to the families affected, and rest in peace to those who have unfortunately died.