One thing we run into here in the mountains is that the bikes are on two lane roads. At times, we haul a 20’ stock trailer loaded. The speed limit is 55. When we come around a curve and see a bunch of bikes, we can’t slow down fast enough. We need to go into the on coming traffic lane to miss them. Luckly, we haven’t run into anyone. They should only be allowed where there are bike lanes.
The speed limit is only that, the maximum limit. Especially when operating large, heavy commercial (?) vehicles, it is your responsibility not to drive “faster” than the distance you can see.
If you have not caused and accident yet, I hope your luck holds out for your sake, your passengers, stopped or slowed vehicles, pedestrians, children, wildlife and yes even the occasional spandex wearing bike nut. I’m not lawyer, but I’ve taken a few law classes and I have little doubt if you repeated what you said in your post to a witness or police officer after an accident at the very lest you would be out a lot of money and maybe doing jail time.
The U.S. does a lot of things right, but we could learn a thing or two about “professional” drive (strict liability) standards like those enforced in Japan and other countries. I’ve seen to many wrecks over the years because folks just won’t slow a few miles per hour.
There’s not a bike-car problem in the US, there’s a lack of civility and respect for others problem. If someone wants bikes off the road or wants them to pay taxes, write your congressman. In the mean time drivers and cyclist need act like grown ups.