Rolling coal is the practice of tampering with a vehicle’s emissions control system, causing it to spew black clouds of sooty exhaust.

  • Franzia@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    1 year ago

    I’ve been coal rolled and driven off the road as a recreational cyclist on rural, lonely roads. The last time I felt safe cycling on the road was 5 years ago?

    • batmangrundies@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Seems like the entire Western world is dealing with a rise in anti-social behaviour on the roads since the pandemic started.

      • 𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        Honestly things have gotten so much worse IMO, most drivers are not paying attention and I’ve been almost smooshed a few times. Slowing down and trying to stay out of cars’ way can only do so much…

        The ones that force past only to pull over or turn 5 seconds later are the worst examples of impatience I’ve seen on the road in years ☹️

        • Grass@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          When you catch up to the smogmobile that went into the wrong lane to pass you ten minutes later at a stoplight…

    • LordOfTheChia@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Could have been worse. A 16 year old here in Texas ran over 6 cyclists while trying to roll coal on them. 2 had to be airlifted:

      https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/waller-bicyclists-hit-truck-teen-driver-ironman-16490862.php

      four of the six cyclists who were hit were hospitalized. Two of those had to be airlifted because of the severity of their injuries.The update:

      https://www.bicycling.com/news/a37808647/texas-driver-assaults-six-cyclists/

      A 16-year-old truck driver ran over six cyclists out on a training ride on September 25, in Waller County, Texas.

      The driver was attempting to “roll coal” on the cyclists when he hit them, according to witnesses.

      The driver was finally arrested on November 8 and indicted with six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is a second-degree felony.

      Edit: the last update from the Law Firm representing the cyclists:

      https://www.bikelaw.com/2021/11/felony-charges-for-waller-driver/

      • MrFlamey@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Holy shit. This kid will probably not see jail and will be driving again in a year or two because his weapon of choice was a car.

    • HiddenLychee@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Yup. Montana drivers will hunt down cyclists and run them over, if not roll coll on them until they choke and fall over. Love this place!

    • Psythik@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Shit like this is the reason why I ditched the bike and got a car. The infrastructure is woefully inadequate for biking; more often than not you have to share the road with these idiots instead of having your own dedicated lane. Furthermore, I had way too many near death experiences. I never want to ride a bike in the US ever again.