Close Call Today - What would you do?

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Jul 9, 2011 | 06:16 PM

#41

kdfcogwheel

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Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 253

Likes: 1

From: S E Michigan

Something very similar happened to me. Up here where I live it has become the vogue thing to build rotary traffic circles. Except at one particular intersection there is a conflagration of three circles. I clearly entered the circle, to my right was multiple entry lanes. A pickup truck was stopped waiting for me to clear when suddenly a late model SUV with three teenage boys speeding through failed to yield the right of way and entered the circle very close to me. I anticipate this sort of thing and always leave myself an "out". After a few moments of heated stares, I could see that they had no regard for motorcyclists. I guess I should chalk it up to youth & inexperience. However, it is not easy to let them off the hook. After all, the state did grant them the license to operate a motor vehicle. The one thought that runs through my mind when this happens is that I am reminded of all the ads on TV, print media and billboards along the highway for accident lawyers. I could just sue the crap out of them, if they have any at all. I'll see to it that they never drive again in a worse case scenario.

Jul 9, 2011 | 09:45 PM

#42

J.L.

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Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 86

Likes: 0

From: Marquette, Michigan

Without going into all the details a few weeks ago I had Mr. stupid riding a Harley pull up into my blind spot and stay there blocking me in the right lane behind someone traveling about 50 mph, boxing me in, while placing himself in danger if I had not noted him pulling up to place his bike in that spot. I was driving my Yukon at the time. Not all stupid drivers are driving cars, trucks and suvs. Think about it, riding a bike does not make you a perfect driver and you must not be stupid no matter what you are driving.

J.L.

Jul 9, 2011 | 10:06 PM

#43

cooper57M

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Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 399

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Seems that there is enough blame to go around for everyone either in a cage or motorcycle. I could say that i f**ked up in the past and i've made mistakes and learned from them and try not to make mistakes again without injuing anyone. If you riding or driving long enough you see the same hazards occurring over and over again and hopefully one would be experienced and alert enough to take correct action when it happens.

Jul 9, 2011 | 10:25 PM

#44

dbell66253

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 5,240

Likes: 10

From: South Florida

I have similar incidents even when I'm driving my truck, ( Dodge 3500 Dually ), I don't even bother to get mad anymore, I just count my blessings, take a few deep breaths, and keep on going.

Jul 10, 2011 | 02:01 AM

#45

SkipCarey

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Joined: May 2011

Posts: 319

Likes: 0

From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.L.

The Difference is a stupid motorcycle rider isnt likely to cause someone in a cage an untimely death.................and thats a BIG DIFFERENCE

Jul 10, 2011 | 04:48 AM

#46

dhincc

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 833

Likes: 0

From: Corpus Christi Texas Area

I'm glad you're ok. I have a concealed carry permit (and I carry ALL of the time) and "road rage", no matter what the intial reason, isn't acceptable behavior. I basically just give them a hard look so they'll know they screwed up, and go on my way.

And as for going so far as to pull someone out of their car to "educate" them ... don't EVER try that with me (or my wife, for that matter, also a CHL holder). You will be dead ... er ... "stopped". You never know who is armed and will defend themselves. The older I've gotten, the more I realize any time I get involved in chit, I could die.

In my opinion, it's far better to just ride away and be able to vent later, on this forum.

Ride safe!

Jul 10, 2011 | 05:05 AM

#47

jjnoble

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,727

Likes: 6

Glad you're okay.

I know it can be hard, but it is better to control your anger and shake it off as soon as you can, then just get on with your life. You will live longer and happier that way.

Also, the only thing you can do to protect yourself against a tailgater is to slow down and increase your following distance. Let them pass if you can.

You do not slow down to **** them off, although that will happen it is just a byproduct of their own actions. Ask yourself how fast do I want to be going when I get hit from behind. You slow down because the damage when you do get hit will be less severe. You increase your following distance so you can control your stopping speed and will not have to slam on your brakes, because if you do slam on your brakes you are going to get hit.

Tailgaters are selfish fools. Protect yourself the best you can and hopefully it is not you they kill.