Tragic group ride...
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 223
Likes: 8
From: SE Louisiana
Before I got the headlight modulator people were pulling out in front of me almost every time I rode. Most of them were talking on their cell phones, one very near miss was an elderly couple. The last one was a 17 year old kid who T-ed me after he pulled out of a full STOP, ticketed with "Failure to Yield Right Of Way", totaled my 883. You know the line, "I am So Sorry Mister, I did Not See You".
I have had the headlight modulator now for a month, and No One has pulled out in front of me. Might happen tomorrow, but I credit the modulator with significantly reducing the risk. OK. Dont like me. But See me.
I have had the headlight modulator now for a month, and No One has pulled out in front of me. Might happen tomorrow, but I credit the modulator with significantly reducing the risk. OK. Dont like me. But See me.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
I think you might be relying on your headlight modulator to much.
Before I got the headlight modulator people were pulling out in front of me almost every time I rode. Most of them were talking on their cell phones, one very near miss was an elderly couple. The last one was a 17 year old kid who T-ed me after he pulled out of a full STOP, ticketed with "Failure to Yield Right Of Way", totaled my 883. You know the line, "I am So Sorry Mister, I did Not See You".
I have had the headlight modulator now for a month, and No One has pulled out in front of me. Might happen tomorrow, but I credit the modulator with significantly reducing the risk. OK. Dont like me. But See me.
I have had the headlight modulator now for a month, and No One has pulled out in front of me. Might happen tomorrow, but I credit the modulator with significantly reducing the risk. OK. Dont like me. But See me.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 223
Likes: 8
From: SE Louisiana
Why do you think so? Breaks are good, reflexes are good, bike is well maintained, wear the Personal Protective Equipment, dont ride tired, inebriated, or recklessly, avoid inclement weather. Do not depend on any one thing. I am a firm believer most accidents are caused by a combination of errors, circumstances, and oversights, rarely just one thing. I just think the modulator is another good precaution.
Last edited by Fireax; Jan 25, 2012 at 09:47 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 4
The modulator did its job. It drew attention to the bike. Sounds like the old guy in the car slowed down to be cautious, which is a good thing. It wasn't necessary for him to slow, but it wasn't illegal or negligent to do so either. If he overreacted or slowed suddenly (panic stop), we don't know. Regardless, he wasn't at fault. The same thing could have happened if the old man saw a deer on the side of the road, or a tractor, or a cop with a speeder pulled over. He slowed, nothing more.
The female driver of the 2nd car was unable to stop. She was driving way too fast (undoubtedly, since she hit a car so hard as to spin it out of control), and distracted. I'd bet money that there was a cellphone involved, and they should check the records to see if she was texting.
So the cause of the accident was the distracted female driver, who was operating her car in a negligent manner. Not the old man, not the headlight modulator.
How do you prevent this? First, drivers need to be aware that modulators exist and are designed to catch their attention. Second, older drivers need to be tested annually for their license, and not passed because the tester's pity or personal feelings (i.e., "Joe's a nice old man. I'd hate to take his license away"). Finally, texting while driving should be a crime equal to DUI, and repeat violators should have either their license pulled or a signal jammer installed in their car, just like the breathing devices that the courts make some use.
I don't know how many times I've seen idiots driving and using their cellphone to do whatever. If I could take their keys away from them, I'd do it in a minute!
The female driver of the 2nd car was unable to stop. She was driving way too fast (undoubtedly, since she hit a car so hard as to spin it out of control), and distracted. I'd bet money that there was a cellphone involved, and they should check the records to see if she was texting.
So the cause of the accident was the distracted female driver, who was operating her car in a negligent manner. Not the old man, not the headlight modulator.
How do you prevent this? First, drivers need to be aware that modulators exist and are designed to catch their attention. Second, older drivers need to be tested annually for their license, and not passed because the tester's pity or personal feelings (i.e., "Joe's a nice old man. I'd hate to take his license away"). Finally, texting while driving should be a crime equal to DUI, and repeat violators should have either their license pulled or a signal jammer installed in their car, just like the breathing devices that the courts make some use.
I don't know how many times I've seen idiots driving and using their cellphone to do whatever. If I could take their keys away from them, I'd do it in a minute!
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
From: Farmington, MN
The modulator did its job. It drew attention to the bike. Sounds like the old guy in the car slowed down to be cautious, which is a good thing. It wasn't necessary for him to slow, but it wasn't illegal or negligent to do so either. If he overreacted or slowed suddenly (panic stop), we don't know. Regardless, he wasn't at fault. The same thing could have happened if the old man saw a deer on the side of the road, or a tractor, or a cop with a speeder pulled over. He slowed, nothing more.
The female driver of the 2nd car was unable to stop. She was driving way too fast (undoubtedly, since she hit a car so hard as to spin it out of control), and distracted. I'd bet money that there was a cellphone involved, and they should check the records to see if she was texting.
So the cause of the accident was the distracted female driver, who was operating her car in a negligent manner. Not the old man, not the headlight modulator.
How do you prevent this? First, drivers need to be aware that modulators exist and are designed to catch their attention. Second, older drivers need to be tested annually for their license, and not passed because the tester's pity or personal feelings (i.e., "Joe's a nice old man. I'd hate to take his license away"). Finally, texting while driving should be a crime equal to DUI, and repeat violators should have either their license pulled or a signal jammer installed in their car, just like the breathing devices that the courts make some use.
I don't know how many times I've seen idiots driving and using their cellphone to do whatever. If I could take their keys away from them, I'd do it in a minute!
The female driver of the 2nd car was unable to stop. She was driving way too fast (undoubtedly, since she hit a car so hard as to spin it out of control), and distracted. I'd bet money that there was a cellphone involved, and they should check the records to see if she was texting.
So the cause of the accident was the distracted female driver, who was operating her car in a negligent manner. Not the old man, not the headlight modulator.
How do you prevent this? First, drivers need to be aware that modulators exist and are designed to catch their attention. Second, older drivers need to be tested annually for their license, and not passed because the tester's pity or personal feelings (i.e., "Joe's a nice old man. I'd hate to take his license away"). Finally, texting while driving should be a crime equal to DUI, and repeat violators should have either their license pulled or a signal jammer installed in their car, just like the breathing devices that the courts make some use.
I don't know how many times I've seen idiots driving and using their cellphone to do whatever. If I could take their keys away from them, I'd do it in a minute!
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 4
If the first car driver's attention was drawn to modulator, how do you conclude the second driver's attention was focused elsewhere BESIDES the modulated headlights? Maybe her attention was also drawn to the bike's headlights and she quit looking forward. Maybe then both drivers were attracted to the same nuisance and blame can be laid at the nuisance, the modulated headlights. Anything that draws your attention away from in front of you is a distraction. Modulators should be banned.
I said it before & I'd lay money on it; the driver of the 2nd car was distracted by something in her car, not something outside of it.
Modulators should be encouraged. Cellphones while driving should be banned.
Last edited by Ghosteh; Jan 26, 2012 at 12:34 PM.