BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

1. We have this thread already 2. Calling someone an asshole who is driving a several ton vehicle who may have a gun isn't the smartest idea. Chasing after them gives them the ability to use the Castle doctrine defense under PA law. Ie, they shot and killed you because they felt you were a danger to them because you were pursuing them and they thought their life was in danger. I'd rather read your posts on here complaining about this and that then your obituary followed by a news story of a jury finding the driver not guilty of murder.

@Ed, I was chasing because he did something illegal, not me. The Castle doctrine requires the that if I were doing something illegal had I entered the vehicle, he could shoot me without liability. If he was to kill me, his life as he knows it will be over.

Where is the thread?

Police are there to chase people. Not you on a bike. Call 911 next time. What were you going to accomplish when you caught up to this guy that you possibly just enraged by calling him an asshole?

Here is the pa stand your ground law below. All he needs to do is say that he shot you in self defense because he felt his life was in danger. A good case could be made by you calling him an "asshole" and then chasing after him for several blocks. You are allowed to be angry in these situations, but people are very unpredictable. Let the police settle the issue. You'd rather be alive that right and dead.  You also these days need to assume that everyone has a gun. The most recent version of Pennsylvania’s Castle Doctrine legislation was signed into law in June 2011. The law extends the right to self-defense up to and including deadly force in a victim’s dwelling (now including any attached porch, deck or patio), occupied vehicle, or any other dwelling or vehicle that the victim legally occupies. A place of work is included in the "castle" provision under certain circumstances. Use of deadly force is justifiable if the "castle" area in the event that an assailant is "unlawfully and forcefully entering" or has entered the "castle" area. Deadly force is also justifiable, subject to certain provisions, if a person that legally enters the "castle" goes on to unlawfully attack a victim (when the victim is resonably in fear of his/her life) or if the attacker attempts to kidnap anyone who legally occupies the "castle". The victim must be in "legal possession" of a firearm or other weapon to be justified in the use of that weapon. Use of deadly force to protect an innocent third person is generally allowed in circumstances where the provisions for justifiable self-defense are met. Victims who justifiably use force to defend themselves under the provisions of the law are immune from civil liability for any injuries sustained by the attacker during the incident. The new legislation also contains a stand your ground provision when outside the "castle". Outside "castle areas" there is no duty to retreat if confronted with a weapon.

@zz, edronline is referring to the Dangerous Drivers thread. I totally sympathize with the desire to chase down rude drivers. I might have done it myself a time or two. But it's definitely dangerous and won't accomplish much. If you feel your life is being threatened, pull over, get the plate number, and call 911. The police will do much more to make the drivers life difficult than you ever could.

@ed, @jonawebb, I was trying to get the license plate by chasing. Since I needed to take the bus across the bridge anyway, I decided to stop there before I burnt myself out. BTW, why can't they treat the Highland Park Bridge sidewalk the same way they do on the Hot Metal Bridge and keep it glass and debris free? After the last time I crossed the bridge on bike, The rear tire developed a leak. Upon having it repaired, the mechanic found a small piece of glass stuck in the tire only after replacing the tube once.

@zz, I don't think you were wrong, chasing after the motorist to get a license plate. I've been there. I'd thought you wanted a further confrontation. Anyway, ride safe.