don't trust your "right of way" to save your day

[flyingzonker]

This morning I was out on my PCX, which doesn't weight enough to compete for space against a SUV. I was sitting at a 4 way light, getting ready to turn left. The green arrow came on, I flipped my visor down, getting ready to go, the car behind me impatiently beeped his horn... and an SUV went through the intersection at 50 mph! Had I been ready to go already, and had I progressed ahead immediately after the horn blew behind me, I would Be dead.

Yes, they are everywhere. Impatient a#$holes who feel that they have more rights than others around them.

It is good to read stories like this...you learn how dangerous it is to be too free with your horn.

[flyingzonker]

Disc locks should always be used in conjunction with a curly reminder cord on the front brake/throttle.

Sorry, but for some of us even one of those orange curlies is not enough. I have caught myself completely ignoring the fact that I had a cord tied to my handle grip. For such as I the only way is either complete abstinence or parking against a wall or other obstruction to forward motion.

[flyingzonker]

I think all elementary schools should have a special class in pedestrian rules of the road so when these kids grow up they have a more uniform view of personal survival whether it be on foot or wheel.

To be really effective these high school courses need to be pointed with a video composed of police photos of the immediate aftermath of car-bike collisions. And of car-motorcycle collisions. And, to be inclusive, of car-pedestrian and finally car-car collisions. Very hard to watch but it sticks with you a while longer than just having the rules drilled into one.

[flyingzonker]

Of course you are right about her, but part of the blame goes to the local traffic engineer. When you stagger the stops it confuses people and they remember the last one where as the other driver had the stop so not being particularly mindful she proceeds as if its a four way stop. Many years ago when I studied traffic engineering course the main ingredient when it came to designing highways, arterials, and locals, you always endeavored to keep things consistent. Not always possible due to R/W constraints etc etc but that was always the intent. Once you mix up designs of egress and ingress to and from roadways it confuses people for some reason. Thats why inter state highways pretty much have the same exit and on ramps the same way.. Keep it consistent and less traffic accidents..when they altered the stops in your situation they in essence could have confused her as she was thinking the other one >> Hope that makes sense.

Of course. Life is confusing enough as it is without getting "multiple choice" with highway engineering.

[flyingzonker]

As much as we make fun of some of these discussions, there is always that undercurrent of truth. We are on less protected vehicles than those who are driving around in their 'tanks', and the larger the vehicle the less attentive the driver seems to be. It should not be up to us to watch out for their inattention, but it is. That is just a fact that will not go away.

Even adding new laws to help protect us on the roads, such as the new hands free calling requirement, does nothing for us if the driver does not obey the law. Always, but ALWAYS, be observant and aware. If you think the other driver might do something foolish, believe that he will because chances are, he will.

As stated before complacency kills.

The guy who is most vulnerable is the one who has the most responsibility. The one who has the most to lose has no right of way at all. The only right he has is the right TO KEEP HIS EYES WIDE OPEN ALL THE TIME. The golden rules for riders: Don't expect anybody to do anything they should do.

[Old Grinner]

To be really effective these high school courses need to be pointed with a video composed of police photos of the immediate aftermath of car-bike collisions. And of car-motorcycle collisions. And, to be inclusive, of car-pedestrian and finally car-car collisions. Very hard to watch but it sticks with you a while longer than just having the rules drilled into one.

When I was in school years ago they showed us this movie to make us aware of the importance of proper driving habits. It was old even then. . .. The realism may be harsh for sensitive individuals but it was a government sponsored film from 1959 and made to get the point across.

I never forgot it. After you watch it you won't either.

[Mel46]

I think I saw that film when I was in the military the first time, back in 1963 - 67. There were quite a few highway safety films that came out of Ohio back then. I also recall one that had to do with trucks and falling asleep at the wheel.

I think we had highway safety lectures and films once a month because I was stationed in a remote area and many of the personnel would push the limit of how far they could safely drive on weekends and make it back to base in time to go to work on Monday morning.

Quite a few didn't make it back.