DOJ sues eBay for selling ‘rolling coal’ devices; fines could hit $2 billion

News@lemmy.world – 857 points – 1 years ago

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

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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?

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

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 ☹️

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

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/

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.

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!

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.