Same story different day,car pulls out ,fatal crash

I was out for a ride Sunday keeping a eye out for Bigfitz as he said he might be in my neck of the woods. 5 miles from my house I came across a vehicle that pulled out in front of a Goldwing with a Husband and Wife in there early 60's .The wife died and the husband was in bad shape,people in the vehicle did not see them. I bought my first road bike in 1985,it was a 83 virago 500 that my girlfreind (now my wife) would always hop on and go for a 100 mile ride.I sold the Virago to a guy I worked with in 87 to buy a FZ 600. He also died on THAT bike from someone pulling out in front of him.My wife will not even sit on the bike I have now because of the above storys,and lets me know of every bike car accident that she here's of. Do you guys have any safe riding tips you can give me and other riders?Them Dam cars just don't see us.

 

That's why I ride with my light on high. I really don't care how upset cagers get about it, at least they see me.

 

One of the things I try to do is weave a little in my lane when I see a potential problem ahead.

My hope is that at some point the beam from my lights will be pointed directly at them

 

Headlight modulators are next-to-impossible not to notice during daylight hours (for all except the most hopelessly brain-dead----which may unfortunately include 90% of the population).....sort of looks like a police or emergency vehicle.

 

It's really scary, man. I think about it sometimes, and wonder if riding is worth it. It's just rolling the dice every single time, and more is at stake than the money in your pocket.

Does anyone know anybody that just gets scared out of riding? Like they can't shake the feeling of impending doom, or the logic of how dangerous it is just kind of wins out, and they stop riding?

I've always wondered if anyone does that, or if once you start you never stop.

 

I've seen those flashing lights on other bikes.Do you have them and how much are they?

 

Not yet........

However, just be aware that if/when you get one, don't for a second think that it is a "saving grace" or a "get out of the morgue free" card........in other words, don't get a false sense of security over having one, because that "sense of safety" will reduce your level of paranoia over what the "other guy" can/will do, and in many cases, it is that paranoia that keeps you alive.


Tail-light strobers/flashers are not a bad idea either.........

 

I think headlight and brake light modulators are an excellent idea too. Although I haven't added a headlight modulator (yet).

I'm almost certain the girl that pulled out on me never looked. There is absolutely nothing I could have done that she would have seen. The only way I could have prevented this crash is if I'd seen her, but I picked the wrong time to glance down at a switch I'd just installed on my motorcycle.

I've had people turn in front of me or pull out numerous times and was only safe because I'd predicted their move. I like to think I try harder now.......

For what it's worth, a couple weeks ago I had a little blue haired lady pull out on my GMC Yukon. I watched her reach the intersection, look down the road away from me and proceed to go. If I hadn't been on the ball her little econo-box would be a stain on my tire.

 

Pipe Dreams,I hear ya 100% My 9 and 12 year old kids always want to go for a ride with me but I'm afraid to take them.

 

If we are so scared why bother to walk out the door to begin with? Caution,observation and expect the unexpected from the cagers are all good common sense tools u can use to help with your riding habits. I TRY and stay ahead o the packs o traffic to avoid being trapped by them,and clear vision ahead but even that can be a dauntin task. the 12 second scan rule will keep u alive if you observe it. Scan ahead 12 seconds to anticipate problems before they become a problem.when coming to an intersection EXPECT someone to pull out in front o u,especially if a cager is sittin at the stop sign(light). The HARDEST ones to avoid are the ones that cut you off crossing your lane of traffic whether 2 or 4 or 6 lanes. i had to ditch mine once to avoid a side impact as the driver heard my horn and stopped dead in the middle o my lane. the bike wasnt damaged more than the signals and neither was i but i was mighty upset. the look on the drivers face said it all.he was white as a ghost and scared sh__less.

 

Carl, I bet it was a Blue haired lady in a Buick.

 

marge simpson?? gotta have homer beat the crap outta her when she gets home!!!!! sorry couldnt resist!

 

Cant add anything t what has already been said other than somedays it keeps me from riding.. I fI get up and really dont feel it a good day to ride I dont regardless of the weather..

Just my 2 cents...

 

When my wife and I started dating, I had my Maxim the first time round. She rode with me everywhere. Then I sold it. Now that I have it back again, she is none too happy. Stories like this, along with my 5 year old and 18 month old, make me second guess my decision to get back into riding.

I agree with, and practice, all the stuff that others on this forum often mention when this topic comes up: Vigilance. Safety course. Ride like you are invisible. Point at other drivers. High beams. Be conscious of cagers' blind spots. And never wonder if the driver of that car saw you - know in your heart that they didn't.

But we can't lose the simple pleasure of a twisty road in front of you, the smell of the open air, and the crack of the throttle. Otherwise, what's the point...

 

Instead of being paranoid and/or doing things that you "think" might make you more visible (flashing brake lights and riding with your annoying high beams on all the time) might I suggest:

Firstly: ensure your bike is inproper working order with good tread on your tires and the brakes in tip-top shape. Controls properly lubricated and adjusted. Etc. This only makes sense. If you can't afford, or don't know how, to do it...then if you ride on the road you are only taking your life in your own hands.

Secondly: ALWAYS keep an eye open on all traffic around you. ALWAYS look at potential upcoming problems (like people pulling out of driveways and running reds). Always have a way out...if....if whatever. Take a motorcycle safety course...often. It is good experience...and saves you $ on your insurance.

You can't control the idiots in the cages who don't see you. But you can improve your riding skills. And if your bike is in as good a shape as your skills you might be able to avoid those inattentive fools that are out there to kill you.

My sincerest condolences to that couple on the Goldwing.

 

So Mike what your saying is that you dont think the headlight modulators, flashing brake lights and extra lights on the front end dont help?

I dont agree with you on this but do agree with your other points

 

My kids come first. if they tell me to stop riding, I will mothball my bike for a later time. I wont even think twice about it.
However, my kids love the fact I have a bike. they love sitting on it, putting on my helmet and making the sweet sounds of the XJ revving up. It is quite hilarious to watch.
they also understand that I wrecked a while back and were upset that it happened. My son made sure I was okay on a daily basis by testing my ribs. he would jump on me as I tried to lay down. my groans would let him know I wasnt healed yet. :lol:
My daughter is a different story. she still asks about it. she looks at my knee to look at the rash I have left. Every time that I get my helmet out, she is the first to jump up and tell me "Be careful on your motorcycle, daddy!" She reminds me everyday of the need to be vigilant and safe.
Every intersection that I pass has my head on a swivel. I watch the faces of the drivers in the cars to see if they see me. I note how close in the intersection they are to the street I am on. look for cars that are creeping forward in a hurry. I move to the center of the street as much as I can so they have an unobstructed view of me.

on the highway, I never let cars get in my blind spot. I dont get in theirs, either. I can always speed up or slow down to find a pocket where there are no cars around me. Always stay in the right hand lane so I only have to worry about what is on my left. as I come up to on-ramps, I scan the entire ramp for cars coming. I notice every car on the highway and I especially look for people on their phones.

 

one of the best pieces of advice I ever got was "watch the tires" if the tires are spinning the cage is going to roll, forget the driver, you can look right at them and they wont see you, but the tires never lie. So, whenever I'm coming to an intersection and I see a car doing a "california stop" I wave, blow my horn, swerve my bike in the lane any of these things will help, but I watch the tires and if they stop, then I know I'm good to go.

 

Vigilance is a must. In my short time riding (less than 3 months) I've had two people pull out in front of me or almost pull out. The lady yesterday was half out into my lane when she saw me and stopped. I was already on the brakes when she saw me as I had anticipated that she was coming out. The rolling tires wouldn't have meant anything.... she had come to a dead stop and just didn't see me. I always slow down and watch the drivers when I see them at the intersection or stopped to turn left. My first one was a dear heart talking on her cell phone. I sensed that one beforehand and was already slowing down. She got my horn and a look but I refrained from "waving" at her.

Before my husband got his MC last year, we had decided that even though we would like to have one, they were too dangerous. But then a friend pointed out a pearl of wisdom that changed how I think about things.... "If you live your life not doing things because "something might happen", you'll never do anything." We just do what we can to stay safe and look out for others.

 

Came across an accident this weekend. 4 lanes on stopped traffic. Once we were moving again, there was a cycle on its side and car rolled over. Cycle driver in hospital in critical condition. His passenger, his 12 year old daughter. Just looking at the scene was scary. Yet, I took my cycle out yesterday for 1.5 hour drive with my wife on back. I've had a number of close calls, but never laid it down. I have friends that have had a bad incident and refuse to go back out on a cycle. Got my wife riding now and worry about her because she is new to driving. Have told her the cagers are trying to hit her, so act accordingly. Hope I never have to stop riding. Not sure how I would react if I had an accident. I feel if it is going to happen, it will. I try to keep room to react and try to predict danger. Yesterday, there were several situations of people pulling out without estimating my speed. I try to back off at intersections until I know for sure they are not pulling out.