I worry about all the curbs on highways in Texas. They must have a bunch of Aggies designing the roads around the state. Are curbs really necessary when there is 75 feet of grass between the road and the nearest manmade structure? What's with those road turtles? Hard plastic, slippery when wet. What a stroke of genius.
First defense for me is to avoid situations where I have no out. Not always possible. I'm always ready to brake, accelerate, or swerve enough to avoid a wreck, while hitting dual 132db hi-lo horns. Horns are legal, pipes are not. I never cruise beside a cage, either slowing down or speeding up to avoid that. I also keep a very active awareness of all the vehicles around me if the road is crowded. That way I know without looking where I can go. I can also "protect" my lane by weaving to the side of a lane if a car is approaching from behind. I think doing so makes those drivers aware I'm there because it looks to them like I'm going to cut in front of them, so they wake up and pay attention.
It seems teenage boys and 20-something women will intentionally try to run a bike off the road over and over. Minority teenage boys and 20-something women even more so. Anyone might do it once by accident, but those two demographic groups seem to have many members who just want to start something. I avoid those people.
