California freeway lane change crash
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 973
Likes: 440
From: West TN
Speed limits still count in the HOV lane. While yes you can many times go much faster that the rest of the traffic due to congestion. I learned to drive at 16 in socal traffic. lived there for 30 years. got 2 tickets in the HOV lane both for going 75. I did leave CA for a free country 2 years ago, so the average speed may have changed. but the speed limit does exist in the HOV lane.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 636
Likes: 35
From: NorCal
You sir are not completely right either. Originally it was also to encourage people to.......wait for it........CARPOOL. You have to have 2 or more in a vehicle to travel in the carpool lane unless on a bike or in an RV. This was intended to obviously try and cut down on the amount of vehicles on the road during rush hours.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 16,271
Likes: 15,108
From: Somewhere SW
In San Diego the 15 has dedicated lanes that are separated from the main freeway with a concrete divider. Traffic could be stopped on the main freeway and everyone in the carpool is cruising about 80.
I do it all the time.
BTW the posted speed is 75
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 417
Likes: 181
From: Michigan
Both are at fault for the crash. Idiot car driver didn't look or was distracted and possibly on some kind of substance.
Motorcycle rider was running a risk of exactly what happened by going that fast. He also succumbed to target fixation. He could have swerved to either side of the car and avoided the rear end collision.
I lived in LA and frequently commuted the 405 and 101. It is a fact that cars will ignore the double yellow multiple times during one commute.
I put car driver as the instigator of the accident but the motorcyclist 100% at fault for the actual impact.
BTW in most cases the Car Pool HOV lanes are not going 80 MPH. We all wish they would be but that isn't so.
Motorcycle rider was running a risk of exactly what happened by going that fast. He also succumbed to target fixation. He could have swerved to either side of the car and avoided the rear end collision.
I lived in LA and frequently commuted the 405 and 101. It is a fact that cars will ignore the double yellow multiple times during one commute.
I put car driver as the instigator of the accident but the motorcyclist 100% at fault for the actual impact.
BTW in most cases the Car Pool HOV lanes are not going 80 MPH. We all wish they would be but that isn't so.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 1,966
From: PA
In his description he said he rolled off throttle and braked, but I just don't see anywhere for him to go.
My take on this crash:
Even if he was doing 75, the posted speed limit, he still has to ride safely for the given conditions. If those conditions include cagers in the other lanes doing 35-45, he may be legal, but is he riding safely?
I'd be queasy going that fast alongside slow moving traffic, because of accidents like this. He was super fortunate. The dude in the car gave him a ride and brought him to a safe, controlled stop, lol. If you're gonna collide with a car, I guess that's the way to have it go down.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
I'd be queasy going that fast alongside slow moving traffic, because of accidents like this. He was super fortunate. The dude in the car gave him a ride and brought him to a safe, controlled stop, lol. If you're gonna collide with a car, I guess that's the way to have it go down.
I rarely use the HOV lane when I'm there because of that very scenario. One time, cruising along in my truck doing about 45 (the speed of flow in the HOV lane at the time) and leaving plenty of room to react, some dimwit, uses that opening to pull in to the HOV lane from a dead stop nearly directly in front of me. I was on a WHOA pedal pretty hard. No where to go. Concrete to the left of me, dead stopped bumper to bumper to the right.
I don't go there unless absolutely necessary. And when I do, there are alternate routes to nearly everywhere. They may add miles, but most times, the traffic flows better than on any of X05 N 7 S freeways.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 189
From: Louisiana
Rider says he used only the rear brake and locked it up. WTF didn't he use the front brake, which has much more stopping power than the rear ..... or better yet, use both !!
Although I must applaud him for not "laying it down" to avoid the accident, and instead, utilizing the bucking bronco maneuver.
Although I must applaud him for not "laying it down" to avoid the accident, and instead, utilizing the bucking bronco maneuver.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 94
Likes: 14
From: Haddon Heights NJ
I watched this video when it hit reddit. Really sobering thing to watch. There is so much wrong with what is going on in the video. While he was speeding, at least he has the whole event on film. The blame is clearly with those in the car. Defensive riding could have mitigated the incident, but it is still their fault. He is lucky he is alive, and secondly that he recorded it.
I can hear it now if he didnt:
"Officer I was in the HOV lane and this motorcycle crashed into me, it wasn't my fault. He then harrassed and threatened me!"
With the "participants" involved, you can bet on how that would've turned out in a liberal court.
I can hear it now if he didnt:
"Officer I was in the HOV lane and this motorcycle crashed into me, it wasn't my fault. He then harrassed and threatened me!"
With the "participants" involved, you can bet on how that would've turned out in a liberal court.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 1,966
From: PA
Rider says he used only the rear brake and locked it up. WTF didn't he use the front brake, which has much more stopping power than the rear ..... or better yet, use both !!
Although I must applaud him for not "laying it down" to avoid the accident, and instead, utilizing the bucking bronco maneuver.
Although I must applaud him for not "laying it down" to avoid the accident, and instead, utilizing the bucking bronco maneuver.