Hacker News Reader

this is why you watch out for cyclist in the Netherlands, as it is always your "fault" as a driver if you hit a bicycle.

View on HN

You primarily watch out because you don't want to kill someone else.

So are people in the Netherlands inherently much more caring than people in the US? Or do people, consciously or otherwise, actually care a lot more about monetary liability than causing the deaths of others?

I refuse to believe that people care more about the monetary and legal consequences of killing another person than the moral aspect.

Hypothesis: Dutch drivers are more careful around cyclists primarily because everyone rides a bicycle themselves. Knowing what it's like riding a bicycle in heavy traffic makes you a more careful driver.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com