I have been bragging about not having had an accident in 46 years of riding but a few days ago it was a large (about 20 lb.) alligator turtle crossing the road that almost took me out. The car in front of me avoided hitting the turtle but I caught the edge of it with the front tire of my Ultra Classic and almost lost it. The ABS sure wouldn't have help much in that case. That was considered a relatively small alligator turtle. There has been 75 lb. turtle caught in this area.

The Allgator Snapping Turtle sure is an ugly suck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKZVj...eature=related

 

I almost got taken out two days ago. I was about fifth in line of about 20 cars doing about 25 locally. I put on my turn signal and slowed to make a left and the dumb SOB behind me had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting me. I mean, who doesn't pay attention when driving in traffic? Obviously the jerk behind me didn't! For those of us who drive sanely, it will almost always be what we don't see that will get us.

Complacency kills! If we're lucky every once in a while we'll get a "wake up" call to remind us to pay more attention.

 

Jeff. Yesterday, I was coming up to a red light in the left lane, of 2 northbound lanes. I saw a minivan coming up fast in the right lane, in my mirrors. I slowed down and let her catch up, and glance over and there is a woman in her 30's, texting or browsing on her phone. I beeped my little, joke HD horn at her. I then got back to the business of stopping, so I didn't see her reaction. If she hadn't looked up she would have rear ended a fully loaded log truck, which is about the heaviest truck out there.

I would ask, "Who does pay attention out there?"

Shortride, My son crashed his scooter last year on the way home from the tavern at closing time. He claims it was because he hit a turtle. I told him it was more likely because he had been drinking. He learned his lesson, and has some nice road rash on his leg to remind him. People make fun of scooters, but they go 38mph and that hurts, when you fall off.