Don't let this happen to you

[JC Viper]

Just like the news story here where a drunken volunteer firefighter in an SUV ran down a police officer on his bike. The lawyers of the firefighter are saying that this was just an unfortunate accident and not a case of road rage.

Pardon for veering a bit; the firefighter had the gall to call 911 saying a bike had cut him off and said he couldn't stop in time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/16/nyreg ... ref=slogin

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/nyregion/15cop.html

The other news stations have hidden this story as I can't find it.

And here's one where a drunken driver turned in front of a motorcyclist.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?secti ... id=4370786

Notice the graphic with the words MC accident.

And let's not forget Janklow in South Dakota in which the media made it seem the biker did something wrong one way or another.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?secti ... id=4189986

They totally got it wrong here since it's not only the biker to take precautions but drivers too but it may be asking a bit much.

[JC Viper]

The infamous picks that are rolling museums in motor shows:
http://wallstreetjackass.typepad.com/ra ... _crash.jpg

and another: http://elsmar.com/pdf_files/Weird%20Pic ... 0wreck.jpg

I found it hard to go find these picks since it's pretty nerve wrecking when looking at any accident, especially ones involving motorcycles.

[Mintbread]

I have chosen to completely ignore the results of other riders accidents as I have plenty of personal experience to draw on in that regard.
I have had some bad crashes but they have affected the way I ride a total of zero. I have done some stupid things and paid dearly for them but I have also been doing the right thing and paid just as dearly for someone elses actions.
We as motorcyclists can't win either way so why let the possible end result cast a shadow over something most of us will do (continue to ride) regardless?

[Shorts]

I have chosen to completely ignore the results of other riders accidents as I have plenty of personal experience to draw on in that regard.
I have had some bad crashes but they have affected the way I ride a total of zero. I have done some stupid things and paid dearly for them but I have also been doing the right thing and paid just as dearly for someone elses actions.
We as motorcyclists can't win either way so why let the possible end result cast a shadow over something most of us will do (continue to ride) regardless?

I think we continue to ride regardless, all of us, otherwise we'd stop riding at the top story of the 6oclock news. But, its just something to be aware of. I think when it's time, your brain will flash something and let you if you're maybe doing something you should be careful doing.

Big and/or bad things can happen to you at any random time. I'm a prime example.

It's possible. Nothing to dwell on or freak out about, but just count your lucky stars each time you go out and come back alright. I drove the road I crashed on a million times before. I was 10 minutes from home. I was by myself doing everything right. Now I'm sitting here typing with one hand, wondering how in the world 8 years have already passed.

Be aware, that's all. Don't take for granted, ever.

[BuzZz]

I have chosen to completely ignore the results of other riders accidents as I have plenty of personal experience to draw on in that regard.
I have had some bad crashes but they have affected the way I ride a total of zero. I have done some stupid things and paid dearly for them but I have also been doing the right thing and paid just as dearly for someone elses actions.
We as motorcyclists can't win either way so why let the possible end result cast a shadow over something most of us will do (continue to ride) regardless?

+1

This about starts and ends it for me on this subject.

When your number is up, it is up and there's nothing you can do to change that. Spending your entire life hiding in the basement or spending it teasing bulls..... makes no difference to when your number is called. So use the time you are given to do what you enjoy and hope you ain't sittin' on the can, pickin' your nose and tryin' to squeeze out lawyer when time runs out.

[blues2cruise]

So if you crash it was intentional?

You're twisting the words to suit yourself and give a different meaning.

By saying a crash is preventable, it means that if everyone drove or rode the way they were taught, and lost the "me first" attitude, or quit multi tasking, etc., then the crashed that happen would rop significantly.

A friend of mine recounted an incident to me whereupon a rider or two lost their lives.
He was waiting on a side road to pull out. It was seriously foggy. There was a big truck on the road alread. From through the fog bank, came two riders flying along at a high rate of speed and they rode right into the back of the truck. Died instantly.
Why? Because they were riding too fast for the conditions.
Was it an intentional crash? I doubt it.
Was it a preventable crash. Absolutely.

I agree that you can't live your life in a bubble, but it doesn't mean I have to take unneccessary risks.

[jonnythan]

Another analogy is how the automakers have DVD players in the front of a car.
I can see having one in the back for the kiddies, but having a driver watching a video while he or she is driving is nuts.
But...as long as people buy them...and the government doesn't ban them...the automakers will continue to make and sell stupid things.

I feel for the families who lose their young people to these tragic crashes.

I

The government doesn't stop this practice because the automakers intentionally disable front-seat DVD player displays when the car is in gear.

The systems are very hard to impossible to disable. Drivers do not regularly watch DVDs on these systems while they drive.

[Mintbread]

By saying a crash is preventable, it means that if everyone drove or rode the way they were taught, and lost the "me first" attitude, or quit multi tasking, etc., then the crashed that happen would rop significantly.

A friend of mine recounted an incident to me whereupon a rider or two lost their lives.
He was waiting on a side road to pull out. It was seriously foggy. There was a big truck on the road alread. From through the fog bank, came two riders flying along at a high rate of speed and they rode right into the back of the truck. Died instantly.
Why? Because they were riding too fast for the conditions.
Was it an intentional crash? I doubt it.
Was it a preventable crash. Absolutely.

I agree that you can't live your life in a bubble, but it doesn't mean I have to take unneccessary risks.

I am sorry, but that is utterly nonsensical.

I can recount an incident where I was riding along in flourescent riding gear (Post issue) at 10kph UNDER the speed limit. I saw a car parked on the side of the road with its indicator on so I SLOWED DOWN, moved as far over to the centre line as possible and the moron still pulled out, did a U-turn and proceeded hit me hard and knock me off my bike.

I did everything possible to avoid an accident yet it still happened. Based on that incident nobody has a hope in hell of surviving on the road so lets all not even bother.

You don't want any unneccessary risks? Stop riding. Simple.

[blues2cruise]

Another analogy is how the automakers have DVD players in the front of a car.
I can see having one in the back for the kiddies, but having a driver watching a video while he or she is driving is nuts.
But...as long as people buy them...and the government doesn't ban them...the automakers will continue to make and sell stupid things.

I feel for the families who lose their young people to these tragic crashes.

I

The government doesn't stop this practice because the automakers intentionally disable front-seat DVD player displays when the car is in gear.

The systems are very hard to impossible to disable. Drivers do not regularly watch DVDs on these systems while they drive.

In the last few weeks, I was behind 2 vehicles with DVD's playing in the front. (I sit up higher in my bus, so I am able to see).

Drivers may not regularly watch them when they drive, but it only takes once to cause a potential fatality.

[blues2cruise]

By saying a crash is preventable, it means that if everyone drove or rode the way they were taught, and lost the "me first" attitude, or quit multi tasking, etc., then the crashed that happen would drop significantly.

A friend of mine recounted an incident to me whereupon a rider or two lost their lives.
He was waiting on a side road to pull out. It was seriously foggy. There was a big truck on the road alread. From through the fog bank, came two riders flying along at a high rate of speed and they rode right into the back of the truck. Died instantly.
Why? Because they were riding too fast for the conditions.
Was it an intentional crash? I doubt it.
Was it a preventable crash. Absolutely.

I agree that you can't live your life in a bubble, but it doesn't mean I have to take unneccessary risks.

I am sorry, but that is utterly nonsensical.

I can recount an incident where I was riding along in flourescent riding gear (Post issue) at 10kph UNDER the speed limit. I saw a car parked on the side of the road with its indicator on so I SLOWED DOWN, moved as far over to the centre line as possible and the moron still pulled out, did a U-turn and proceeded hit me hard and knock me off my bike.

I did everything possible to avoid an accident yet it still happened. Based on that incident nobody has a hope in hell of surviving on the road so lets all not even bother.

You don't want any unneccessary risks? Stop riding. Simple.

Why are you so cranky? Just because we may not agree on certain issues of safety or driving styles?
I am fully aware of the fact that riding a motorcycle makes me more vulnerable than when I am in a car. However, I can minimize my risks by practicing hazard avoidance tactics. Please note, I said minimize not eliminate.
I teach hazard avoidance as part of our driver training program where I work, and I also practice what I preach.
My job requires me to have a clean license, so I ride and drive as if my life and my passengers lives depend on it.

The whole point of the original post was just to make people more aware of our vulnerabilities. This was not intended to be a debate about whether you think I should continue to ride or not.

I used the words "unneccessary" risks" like not stopping at stop signs and running late amber or red lights. Stopping a foot behind a car at a light is an unneccessary risk.
Tailgating is an unneccessary risk.
Riding twice the speed limit is an unneccessary risk.

We all face risks every day when we walk outside our doors to commute to work. However, it doesn't mean I stay home. Just like I will continue to ride, but I will "minimize" the risks instead of taking unnecessary ones.

It's not nonsense. It could save a life one day.