Bertha and I almost got taken out by an idiot today!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 2
From: Hallsville, Tx.
Cagers shrug it off, as if to say "oops". What i'd really like to do is to tell them, "WTF, you almost killed me!". If they could grasp that fact, I think they'd be more careful. But if I can't tell them, I'll show them my salute! Whenever you pass someone, you have to assume that, at some point, you're in their blind spot! I usually watch their "body language" and either hang back or pass quickly!
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Thanks for all of the replies. I guess you just can't control when you're passing someone on a four-lane highway on their left (where you're supposed to be when you pass someone), and they suddenly decide to plow across your lane without looking - much less signaling first - right in front of you, to get into the turn lane to the left of you to make their turn.
And I mean plow. It wasn't an unsignaled lane change... it was him suddenly charging left through my lane, the 30 feet of asphalt separating my lane from the diverging left turn lane, and into the left turn lane, in about 5-6 seconds. He was in and out of my lane in about the first 2 seconds.
If there's anything I could have done to have avoided this particular event, I sure don't know what it would have been... other than (1) never pass anyone, on either side, and hope people who pass me don't decide to plow into me, or (2) give up motorcycling altogether - which isn't going to happen voluntarily.
Given the imbelic and irresponsible actions of the Tahoe driver yesterday, I feel perfectly justified in having given him the salute. He richly deserved it. I'm just glad Bertha and I didn't get creamed by the bozo.
And I mean plow. It wasn't an unsignaled lane change... it was him suddenly charging left through my lane, the 30 feet of asphalt separating my lane from the diverging left turn lane, and into the left turn lane, in about 5-6 seconds. He was in and out of my lane in about the first 2 seconds.
If there's anything I could have done to have avoided this particular event, I sure don't know what it would have been... other than (1) never pass anyone, on either side, and hope people who pass me don't decide to plow into me, or (2) give up motorcycling altogether - which isn't going to happen voluntarily.
Given the imbelic and irresponsible actions of the Tahoe driver yesterday, I feel perfectly justified in having given him the salute. He richly deserved it. I'm just glad Bertha and I didn't get creamed by the bozo.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Talk about nasty:
In June we had a "Nasty" one here in PA that killed 5. Three Harleys hit the same van, possibly one straight on , one on each side but have not heard anything more about what happen. . The taxi driver was OK, and recently the only biker that survived went home from the hospital.. The police said it was the worst accident in over 20 years, pieces everywhere and at that time they could not even determine if they were wearing helmets.
Kristin Skowood, 27, of East Earl Township, Lancaster County, was the only survivor of the June crash that took place on Route 72 in Penn Township. The accident occurred when a trio of motorcycles with two riders each slammed into a Harrisburg-based taxi van.The accident killed Skowoods mother, step-father, fiancé and two friends.
http://www.wgal.com/news/24532308/detail.html
In June we had a "Nasty" one here in PA that killed 5. Three Harleys hit the same van, possibly one straight on , one on each side but have not heard anything more about what happen. . The taxi driver was OK, and recently the only biker that survived went home from the hospital.. The police said it was the worst accident in over 20 years, pieces everywhere and at that time they could not even determine if they were wearing helmets.
Kristin Skowood, 27, of East Earl Township, Lancaster County, was the only survivor of the June crash that took place on Route 72 in Penn Township. The accident occurred when a trio of motorcycles with two riders each slammed into a Harrisburg-based taxi van.The accident killed Skowoods mother, step-father, fiancé and two friends.
http://www.wgal.com/news/24532308/detail.html
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Talk about nasty:
In June we had a "Nasty" one here in PA that killed 5. Three Harleys hit the same van, possibly one straight on , one on each side but have not heard anything more about what happen. . The taxi driver was OK, and recently the only biker that survived went home from the hospital.. The police said it was the worst accident in over 20 years, pieces everywhere and at that time they could not even determine if they were wearing helmets.
Kristin Skowood, 27, of East Earl Township, Lancaster County, was the only survivor of the June crash that took place on Route 72 in Penn Township. The accident occurred when a trio of motorcycles with two riders each slammed into a Harrisburg-based taxi van.The accident killed Skowoods mother, step-father, fiancé and two friends.
http://www.wgal.com/news/24532308/detail.html
In June we had a "Nasty" one here in PA that killed 5. Three Harleys hit the same van, possibly one straight on , one on each side but have not heard anything more about what happen. . The taxi driver was OK, and recently the only biker that survived went home from the hospital.. The police said it was the worst accident in over 20 years, pieces everywhere and at that time they could not even determine if they were wearing helmets.
Kristin Skowood, 27, of East Earl Township, Lancaster County, was the only survivor of the June crash that took place on Route 72 in Penn Township. The accident occurred when a trio of motorcycles with two riders each slammed into a Harrisburg-based taxi van.The accident killed Skowoods mother, step-father, fiancé and two friends.
http://www.wgal.com/news/24532308/detail.html
I heard there was a Harley rider here in Atlanta late last week who died in an accident. Don't know much about it, and not sure I want to.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
If you were in his blind spot and he did not see you, then he probably didn't have his driver-side mirror adjusted correctly ...most people don't. They have the mirror pointed behind them, aiming at the same spot as the rear-view mirror.
The driver-side mirror should be adjusted to view the blind spot.
This video or something similar should be part of any driver education course and states should put questions on adjusting mirrors on the license tests since so many people do not know how to adjust the mirror properly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku_dskzf5Ug
If you can see the face of the driver in front of you by looking at their driver-side mirror, then they don't have it adjusted for the blind spot. I notice it all the time when I am behind someone. You shouldn't see their face in the mirror until you are in the blind spot.
The driver-side mirror should be adjusted to view the blind spot.
This video or something similar should be part of any driver education course and states should put questions on adjusting mirrors on the license tests since so many people do not know how to adjust the mirror properly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku_dskzf5Ug
If you can see the face of the driver in front of you by looking at their driver-side mirror, then they don't have it adjusted for the blind spot. I notice it all the time when I am behind someone. You shouldn't see their face in the mirror until you are in the blind spot.
There IS no blind spot when your mirrors are adjusted outwards properly like that. But sadly, hardly anyone seems to adjust their mirrors like that... most people just adjust them right down the side of their vehicle, where they are of limited use.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: in a bean field
not to rant on anyones case, but ridin for over 30 years and drivin trucks goin on 40 this comin jan with over 2,000,000 miles,not to single anyone out here, but I seen alot of bikers maybe not knowingly riding in cages blind spots alot, gotta make them see you, you are a minnow in a shark tank out there and they ARE going to take you out IF you let them...another beef I have with even some of my own biker buds...they assume traffic lights and stop signs will stop everybody.HA HA....what about the guy who just robs the local 7-11 tryn to get away annd you just happen to be crossin the intersection he's fixin to run....PLEASE guys and gals, alway assume someone IS already running that stop sign or light and LOOK both ways even if it is green.... at every cross road..If you don't, your LUCK will eventually run out...sorry for the long rant....ride safe
Last edited by driveone2; Aug 23, 2010 at 11:12 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: San Diego (Poway), CA
NGH, will you please send that California cage back here please. Seems you Southerners can't handle us SoCal drivers too well.
(Above if is pun, hope you hada good laugh).
Glad you're ok to give them the Califonia Howdy salute.
(Above if is pun, hope you hada good laugh).
Glad you're ok to give them the Califonia Howdy salute.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
driveone2,
I avoid the big trucks because they create so much buffeting and noise but as far as safety, I feel safer around them than I do most SUV drivers. In our area, some trucking companies such as ABF have very strict driving policies and I don't think I ever saw one of those guys/gals driving aggressively.
Maybe 35 years ago I read an article in Cycle World magazine and the author claimed you can help prevent accidents by moving around within your lane to attract attention. The first time I tried it in heavy traffic, my wife and I got pulled over by a State Policeman. He left me go but said "well they were right, you certainly got my attention" We always ride alone so switching from the one side of the lane to another is no problem and I like to do it at any intersection I see cars waiting and in heavy traffic. people that want to wave drivers down usually will not hold the flashlight still, but swing it back and forth and I suspect you can have a similar effect with the approaching headlights/spotlights of a motorcycle.
Unfortunately, regardless of what we do there will always be times when someone forgets, heck we had people pull out in front of trains in our area. I get angry if it happens but tell myself it's really no different than an animal running out in front of you.
I avoid the big trucks because they create so much buffeting and noise but as far as safety, I feel safer around them than I do most SUV drivers. In our area, some trucking companies such as ABF have very strict driving policies and I don't think I ever saw one of those guys/gals driving aggressively.
Maybe 35 years ago I read an article in Cycle World magazine and the author claimed you can help prevent accidents by moving around within your lane to attract attention. The first time I tried it in heavy traffic, my wife and I got pulled over by a State Policeman. He left me go but said "well they were right, you certainly got my attention" We always ride alone so switching from the one side of the lane to another is no problem and I like to do it at any intersection I see cars waiting and in heavy traffic. people that want to wave drivers down usually will not hold the flashlight still, but swing it back and forth and I suspect you can have a similar effect with the approaching headlights/spotlights of a motorcycle.
Unfortunately, regardless of what we do there will always be times when someone forgets, heck we had people pull out in front of trains in our area. I get angry if it happens but tell myself it's really no different than an animal running out in front of you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 0
From: Danville Va, Providence NC
About 10 years ago I was coming off an exit ramp onto a 4 lane highway. Right lane was clear, I was about to merge into it. An asshat moves from the left lane into the right, and I was at the end of my lane. I was already half and half into the right lane. He moved over on me, and if I hadn't hit his window with my left fist, I would be dead, most likely. His eyes got big and he swerved back left, luckily the lane was clear.
This **** happens all the time, but the mc rider gets the blame. BS!
Drive like everyone is out to kill you, because they are, whether they know it or not.
Be safe. RD
This **** happens all the time, but the mc rider gets the blame. BS!
Drive like everyone is out to kill you, because they are, whether they know it or not.
Be safe. RD