local story here in Nashville

http://www.wsmv.com/story/38185463/m...y-pothole-dies

TDOT and metropolitan Nashville have done very little to fix road conditions this spring. The blame has been on a "harsh" winter that wasn't. We have sections of interstate where the top layer of asphalt has disappeared, potholes galore and seams in the road that have separated or disappeared that can swallow a motorcycle tire

 

That's what happens when your legislature diverts the highway funds into raises, pensions, welfare programs then go and try to raise taxes to cover their raiding but can't get it passed.

 

 

I sent this video to the Mayor, TDOT director, the Metro councilman for that area and my state rep. You can see in the video the gaps/seams in the road at about the 2:00 mark (play in slomo) where the gaps are as wide as a motorcycle tire. They've repaired some but not all of this. Imagine a lane change and not seeing this stuff. It would be too late.

 

Urban freeways are dangerous for motorcyclists. The pothole didn't cause anything; it was just there. The crash occurred because a motorcyclist hit it immediately after her riding partner hit it, without crashing.
This is a very sad story but there are lots of ways to crash or get "taken out" on urban freeways. It's probably the most unforgiving environment there is for motorcyclists, and I'm in Combat mode whenever I ride there. RIP Wendy

 

 

 

 

Sorry, but that is simply not true. I work for a DOT. Privatizing government services is where the money goes costing 3 - 3.5 times what it would compared to having staff to do it. Roadway design and maintenance in particular.

RIP to the TN rider.

 

Many California cities have a program called "traffic calming", basically lines, delineators, obstructions, barriers, bulb outs, roundabouts and velocity reduction undulations, also known as speed tables or speed bumps. All of this stuff is meant to slow traffic. Wait until hit a speed bump on residential roadway at 40..that was the only time I almost went down hard.. Consider potholes as natures way of slowing traffic. The also bend motorcycle wheels.
Advanced rider schools teach and emphasize surface appraisal, if you crash because of a road hazard it really means your were riding too fast to avoid it. Never ride faster than your ability to avoid the unexpected. Nevertheless personal injury attorneys are waiting to take these cases.
RIP to the rider mentioned above.