Post by tankcommander on Mar 3, 2008 11:32:06 GMT -5
You just never know. This happened to my friend who rides a Suzuki Boulevard and is the guy who gave me my gremlin bell.
On Friday afternoon, I was headed east on State Street between Hwy 55 and Glenwood. The speed limit is 55 mph. I signaled and slowed to turn right. My habit is to tap the brakes a couple times to flash my light when I start to slow and to check the rear view for hazards. Can't remember if I did that or not. The street I was going to turn on had sand all over it from the winter, and I was focused on that. As I got fairly slow, I heard (through my helmet) the sound of squealing tires close behind me, felt a bump on my right elbow and a bump on the handlebars as a Nissan Altima screamed by me on the right. When it was all said and done, I didn't go down, I ended up stopped about 10 feet behind him. He pulled around the corner and stopped. I followed.
I had a small scuff mark on the right elbow of my jacket matching his car. The cap on the tip of my right handlebar was slightly bent. His driver's side rear view mirror was hanging by the wire.
A Cable One guy witnessed it, stopped, and hit his emergency button on the GPS. His dispatcher confirmed that nobody was injured and called the police. He told me that he looked up, saw what was happening, and thought I was about to die. The guy who hit me was about 80. Nice guy. Said he guessed that he wasn't paying attention. I was remarkably calm, although getting progressively shakier as I contemplated how close I had come. I reminded him that it could have been very serious.
The cop arrived and shook his head at my good fortune. Everybody there agreed on the circumstances of the accident. He decided not to fill out a report because of the minor damage. I asked him if he could require a driving evaluation for the guy. He said, "Oh, yes. I have already decided to do that!" That's good enough for me. I think his driving days may be over. He also said that he would save his notes and do a report if the insurance company wanted one. Before the officer left, he had a long talk with the other driver and informed him of the driving evaluation. He talked to me and asked if I was OK to make it home (about a block). I was.. although a bit shakily. I figure another fraction of an inch and I surely would have been sliding down State Street and likely would have been seriously hurt. Another 3 inches and he would have been into my leg, as well. another foot and it would have been a direct hit to the back end and sent me flying.
I have been trying to sell my motorcycle to finance my flying. My elder son, Alex, was trying to convince me to just hang on to it with some pretty solid arguments (you like it, you are saving miles on your car, it's already taken the big hit from depreciation, etc). I was wavering...thinking maybe I would just keep it. After this close call, I am definitely selling it.
Things I Learned.
1. When slowing always check behind you periodically
2. Wear a helmet
3. It's not a good thing to have car marks on your jacket.
4. Cable One has a great policy when witnessing an accident
5. The Ada County Sherriff's Office sent me a deputy who was professional, courteous, and kind.
On Friday afternoon, I was headed east on State Street between Hwy 55 and Glenwood. The speed limit is 55 mph. I signaled and slowed to turn right. My habit is to tap the brakes a couple times to flash my light when I start to slow and to check the rear view for hazards. Can't remember if I did that or not. The street I was going to turn on had sand all over it from the winter, and I was focused on that. As I got fairly slow, I heard (through my helmet) the sound of squealing tires close behind me, felt a bump on my right elbow and a bump on the handlebars as a Nissan Altima screamed by me on the right. When it was all said and done, I didn't go down, I ended up stopped about 10 feet behind him. He pulled around the corner and stopped. I followed.
I had a small scuff mark on the right elbow of my jacket matching his car. The cap on the tip of my right handlebar was slightly bent. His driver's side rear view mirror was hanging by the wire.
A Cable One guy witnessed it, stopped, and hit his emergency button on the GPS. His dispatcher confirmed that nobody was injured and called the police. He told me that he looked up, saw what was happening, and thought I was about to die. The guy who hit me was about 80. Nice guy. Said he guessed that he wasn't paying attention. I was remarkably calm, although getting progressively shakier as I contemplated how close I had come. I reminded him that it could have been very serious.
The cop arrived and shook his head at my good fortune. Everybody there agreed on the circumstances of the accident. He decided not to fill out a report because of the minor damage. I asked him if he could require a driving evaluation for the guy. He said, "Oh, yes. I have already decided to do that!" That's good enough for me. I think his driving days may be over. He also said that he would save his notes and do a report if the insurance company wanted one. Before the officer left, he had a long talk with the other driver and informed him of the driving evaluation. He talked to me and asked if I was OK to make it home (about a block). I was.. although a bit shakily. I figure another fraction of an inch and I surely would have been sliding down State Street and likely would have been seriously hurt. Another 3 inches and he would have been into my leg, as well. another foot and it would have been a direct hit to the back end and sent me flying.
I have been trying to sell my motorcycle to finance my flying. My elder son, Alex, was trying to convince me to just hang on to it with some pretty solid arguments (you like it, you are saving miles on your car, it's already taken the big hit from depreciation, etc). I was wavering...thinking maybe I would just keep it. After this close call, I am definitely selling it.
Things I Learned.
1. When slowing always check behind you periodically
2. Wear a helmet
3. It's not a good thing to have car marks on your jacket.
4. Cable One has a great policy when witnessing an accident
5. The Ada County Sherriff's Office sent me a deputy who was professional, courteous, and kind.