I ride fixed with a front brake because I want options, but outlawing them? Maybe we should try and pass a law against WalMart junk being built incorrectly and sold as safe.
As for the bike/car accident mentioned above...I wasn't there but it sounds as if the motorist was at least partially at fault. She turned in front of a rider who was riding in traffic legally. Not sure about where you live and laws regarding bike lanes (we don't have any where I live in CT) but I ride in traffic all the time. I take the entire lane quite often actually, but always signal my moves and don't ride in the lane unnecessarily long.
I got hit on my regular roadie a few years ago...lady rolled a stop sign and plowed into me broadside. Guess who got the ticket? NOT ME! Failure to yield to a human powered vehicle I think it was.
Peace,
J