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Post by "Big Guy" on Nov 3, 2007 21:38:12 GMT -5
As an experienced MC & Scooter rider, I am always watching what the drivers heads are doing as I pass or ride next to them.
Today, on the way home, I am coming up on a car and I see the 'old lady's' head dart to the right (she was in the left lane on a 2-lane highway). I was next to her in the right lane and I immediately let off the throttle... good thing, because she JERKED the wheel to the right, STOMPED on her brakes, crossed my lane and screached into a shopping center entrance, forcing me in too...
Had I not anticipated this, she would have ran right into me!
Now I don't usually make a big deal over idiotic 4-wheeler driving, but this time, I was really pissed because she made me jump the curb on a brand new scoot, so I followed her to her parking space and as she got out, I told her that she almost killed me...
Well, she started barking, "You guys are a menace to the road" and some other choice statements that you would expect me to be saying to HER, so I took a deep breath, composed myself, remembered that she's and old lady, and went on my way.
Now I know some of you guys and gals are gonna say, "You shouldn't have been next to her" and I wasn't. I was coming up on her and slowly passing with the rush hour traffic.
I'm just glad I got a "head spin" body language warning!
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Post by aristide1 on Nov 4, 2007 23:10:54 GMT -5
Report her. Maybe the police will ask her to take a drivers test and she will flunk.
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Post by "Big Guy" on Nov 5, 2007 8:17:52 GMT -5
No such luck here in Louisiana...
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Post by aristide1 on Nov 5, 2007 9:49:04 GMT -5
Well the problem there is worse probably because nobody does a news article of how dangerous old people are behind the wheel, woth government stats to prove it. Reduced eyesight, reduced reflexes all add to more accidents.
Scoot or cage it's always a good idea to have an "out" no matter what. Don't leave others box you into a place when the potential for a disaster is just one slam of the brakes away. Think, if driver A does a stupid move I will do this. Mental exercises like that keep us aware and have already saved me for at least accident.
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Post by WarrenS on Nov 5, 2007 10:23:41 GMT -5
I resent the implication that old people can't be good drivers. I am 69 and more likely to be riding than driving. This makes me more aware than those who have never been a rider. It has nothing to do with age. You don't see old people texting while driving. I rest my case.
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Post by aristide1 on Nov 6, 2007 17:02:39 GMT -5
Both age groups are more problematic than average for entirely different reasons. While older people are texting young people aren't having heart attacks. Ask your optometrist about how well night vision holds up with age. Ask you're doctor about reflexes. I am speaking generalities here. You may be in tip top shape.
I'm almost 50 and can clearly tell you that my night vision is no longer as acute as it was, even though the doc says I'm still 20/20 with glasses.
I'd expect you to be a much better driver than average. You ride a bike, it goes with the territory.
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Post by scooterollie on Nov 6, 2007 22:45:17 GMT -5
Anyone riding for some time probably has lots of these kinds of stories. Years ago, a woman forced me off the road, not watching where she was in her lane while she applied makeup using the rear view mirror. Another middle aged gentleman, with his wife and family aboard, forced me off the road. He was in the left lane and I was in the right, no other traffic around. I pulled up to him at the next light letting him know how I was feeling and his answer was - "You have no business being on the road with one of those things". That "thing" was a motorcycle!
When I was taking Driver Ed in High School, we were out with the instructor and the driver (a female, not that a guy couldn't have done the same) took both hands off the wheel, using them to adjust the rear view mirror. We were on a Beltway. That sure got a response from the instructor!
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Post by termite on Nov 7, 2007 23:39:28 GMT -5
I use my lights and horn fairly frequently. That seems to work pretty well for people who simply aren't paying attention. For the hard-nosed idiots, I've taken to carrying 3 or 4 1-inch steel ball bearings in my left jacket pocket. Take out a side or back window in a heartbeat. *And I can escalate to .357 S & W if it is absolutely necessary.*
*By this I mean if someone is deliberately and maliciously trying to run me off the road.*
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Post by aristide1 on Nov 8, 2007 15:04:35 GMT -5
You're kidding, right?
I mean it's not like they can later intentionally turn you into hamburger and then claim is was an accident.
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Post by termite on Nov 8, 2007 23:56:16 GMT -5
You're kidding, right? I mean it's not like they can later intentionally turn you into hamburger and then claim is was an accident. Whom are you addressing? |
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Post by "Big Guy" on Nov 24, 2007 14:15:56 GMT -5
I resent the implication that old people can't be good drivers. I am 69 and more likely to be riding than driving... Right on brother! I too hate it when people say women, Asians, old people, young people, etc. are bad drivers. There are bad drivers and good drivers in every group! What it comes down is how you learned to drive and what level of respect you have for yourself and others... period! |
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Post by Dennis D on Nov 24, 2007 15:43:45 GMT -5
My way of dealing with people next to me is to never leave anyone be next to me for long. If possible, I try to always move just a little bit faster than the other traffic on the road. That way most of what I need to watch is ahead of me. If I'm not in the center lane of traffic moving in my direction, I can pass cars one at a time.... making my move through their blind spot fairly quickly. If in a center lane at all, it's never for long. If I can't see my way out of the center lane, I don't get into it. I try to know what's all around me, but if I have people moving up on me from behind, or following me too closely, while I have traffic moving along next to me either at the same pace, or also coming up on me, while trying to watch for hazards ahead, it's a lot to watch. Often it's the very small things or warning signs that a person can easily miss, that are the most dangerous.
Also moving a bit faster than traffic puts me in more control of what I have to watch and when many of the possible dangers are encountered. But it doesn't mean I don't do regular and very frequent mirror checks for the hot dogs that may be coming from behind... it more means that I don't have to quite so evenly divide my attention between ahead, behind, and beside.
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Post by guyruss on Nov 24, 2007 18:20:03 GMT -5
I seen screw-ups of all age groups, sexes, races, including myself. What seriously bothers me, is how people can try to argue, or justify their negligence. To say we shouldn't be on a bike is just pure ignorance. I just love it when someone else is in the wrong while driving, and they give me a dirty look as if it was my fault.
Just my penney for thought,
Russ
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Post by zippadeedudah on Nov 27, 2007 10:40:21 GMT -5
Talking about cars next to you! In 1977 when I was stationed in Germany, a member of my unit was riding his Honda 250 motorcycle and just cruising at about 35mph when two other GIs pulled up next to him in a car and then the passenger in the car opened the car door really wide open and suddenly opened and thrust the passenger door at him and knocking him from his motorcycle and he was sent down into a ravine and killed. Fortunately a German civilian woman saw what happened and got the tag off the car. The servicemen admitted they set out to just screw with any motorcycle - German or American - they came across that evening after boozing it up. They did not even know the rider. At court-martial, they were sentenced to 40 years hard labor at Ft. Leavenworth for murder. Rest of us who rode bikes kept on riding after his remains were transported back to the US. Has anyone else heard of malicious conduct of this type? Please be aware anything can happen at anytime. My father used to tell me, think of the craziest thing someone in front or around you can do and prepare for it. Joe
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Post by newc77 on Nov 27, 2007 21:35:42 GMT -5
Lot's of good advice here. I'm not too sure on the carrying of "lethal" force though...ha ha.
The basics are simple and being newer to scoots than most of you, I always keep myself alert and alive by...
1. Always thinking ahead...remember Search-Evaluate-Execute from the MSF?
2. Always trying to leave myself an out, another nugget from the riders course.
3. Trying to always remember that EVERYONE, including myself if I screw up, is a potential hazzard.
4. There is no such thing as a 100% safe driver, sex, age, number of wheels under you inclusive.
You did well 250mc. Your alertness saved your life. I would not be surprised that any cager in a close call with a bike would immediately think or imply it's the bike rider. Never the less you did well by just letting it go in the end. Have a karma and a blessing for me.
One final hint that works for us...and it's just our thing....we always say a little prayer for safety before we head out on the scoots. This is in no way a substitute for the above but I like the feeling of knowing God is my copilot.
Scoot safe,
Tom
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Post by "Big Guy" on Nov 27, 2007 21:48:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the Karma newc.
Oh, and one more thing, God is always our copilot!
(See: "Footprints in the sand")
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