Local club rider accident

[..]

He was leading a few other bikes on 4 lane US 23/74 eastbound approaching the Waynesville, NC BRP access eastbound.

A car pulled out from that access and turned to drive east. Instead of using the left lane the driver came across the 2 lanes and into the right lane. The rider rear ended the vehicle. Both arms broken, right leg and hip broken, left wrist broken.

The group was headed home having stopped at  bar for lunch in nearby Slyva.

Was alcohol to blame for the riders inability to miss the vehicle?
Was speed to blame  for the riders inability to miss the vehicle?
Was age and slower reactions  to blame for the riders inability to miss the vehicle?

Or a combination of the 3?

I know I am slower in speed and reactions/reflexes than I was 5 years ago.

The sight line approaching the access is clear.

[carolinarider09]

If the group was in the east bound "RIGHT" lane on a four lane road, they were doing it right (no pun intended).   Assuming they were not going to turn left soon.

If the driver entered the four lane highway, crossed over the two west bound lanes and crossed over the inner east bound lane to take up a position in the far lane (right lane of the two east bound lanes) he was incorrect. 

But it happens often.  The training (if any) people have received is seldom followed.   

Just my opinion.

[sandy]

In AZ, you are allowed to change lanes while making a turn. It’s not a good idea but is legal. The cause is probably a combination of all 3 factors. Looking ahead and anticipating the bad turn the car made is also a factor. Never trust anyone to do the right thing.

[Jersey mike]

I feel bad for that guy. So much damage done to him and for nothing other than plain stupidity.

I still drive how it was instructed and as common sense should tell you…STAY IN YOUR LANE until you have completed your turn and have established yourself in that lane AND THEN signal to change lanes.

Now as for stopping in a bar for lunch, done it many times, didn’t have alcohol with my meal and never had a problem with the people I rode with or the staff at the bar.

[scooperhsd]

I do not drink alcohol and then ride motorcycles anymore. Had an incident in college (during the summer session) with my now wife on back where I did not have the control I felt was necessary to be riding on my '76 CB750F. FOrtunately, nothing more than diginity was damaged that day. Have never attempted that since.

[rocketray]

the worst destination is a bar on a motorcycle..in Dallas some world renowned establishments a decade or two ago and had a bunch of  partying and eventually had people photographing a lot of goin's on to protect themselves and yes from some accidents on the way home...I saw a none moving female on the ground who was a passenger who seconds earlier whipped by me very loosely hanging onto the driver on the highway.....she wasn't moving...that ended any desire to use an establishment as a destination..ever

[cookiedough]

yah, is dangerous out there, head on a swivel.  Just last night still light out on cycle a truck with trailer pulled out in front of me 3-5 feet onto my side of the road CLEAR view of me and luckily he STOPPED and backed up his truck/trailer into his driveway.   I might have had time to slam on the brakes and stop, but woulda been close call.  I started to slow down ASAP but seen him backup luckily since NO cars coming my way and used the other lane to avoid disaster.

Man,  these vehicles need to look BOTH WAYS 2x's never hurts to take a 2nd or 3rd look BEFORE pulling out in traffic. 

[..]

I have been living in Maggie Valley for about 18 months now. I have never seen so many drivers pull out into the wrong lane as here in NC.

[carolinarider09]

I have noted that the bigger the car/truck, the more likely the person will not stay in "his/her" lane.  Takes to much skill and energy.   

The cause??? Laziness... lack of training.... privilege....

Same with staying in the left hand lane during travels so you don't have to ......  whatever.

[_Sheffjs_]

Wow, we used that exit twice this week while running trips each way.  If it happened to me I would only be able to claim being older.  I never drink and ride and I am now in slow mode and enjoy years.

[Ramie]

It's an epidemic in today's world.  From my observation 50% of drivers no longer use their turn signals, you're supposed to know what their thinking. 

The majority of people in the grocery store will stand in the middle of the isle blocking everyone from passing them while they decide what cereal they want to buy.   

In our society more and more people no longer think of the other person because they are more important than anyone else. 

[carolinarider09]

It's an epidemic in today's world.  From my observation 50% of drivers no longer use their turn signals, you're supposed to know what their thinking. 

The majority of people in the grocery store will stand in the middle of the isle blocking everyone from passing them while they decide what cereal they want to buy.   

In our society more and more people no longer think of the other person because they are more important than anyone else. 

Yes I agree and I have been trying to figure out a real reason.  Yes, I think it is because they do not even consider the impact on someone else. 

My experience is that they are totally fixated on themselves.  No one has taught them to "consider the other person". 

Where did I learn that.  Was it school?  Was it my mom and dad?  Was it church?  Was it Boy Scouts?

Consider, just for a second, something called "cotillion".   I had no idea what it really meant until I just looked it up.   However, when I was in third or fourth grade, my parents enrolled me in something called "cotillion".  We were taught to dance, mostly foxtrot (you know "ballroom" dancing) and then some of the "shag" steps since I lived at the beach.

We were taught how to ask a lady to dance.   We were taught to respect the lady (well I was young but a lady is a lady).   We were TAUGHT!!!!!!!   We were not the most important thing in the room.   We were learning.   Lady's first.   Help those that need help.   

That carries on into life.  Today, it is gone.  And yes I did strive to teach my two daughters what I have eluded to above.  I think I sort of won one and lost one but.... time will have to be the judge of that. 

Ok... I know somewhat of a rant but when I am in the grocery store with a cart, I drive like eon the roadway.   Just to as fast.

[cookiedough]

speaking of carts left in middle of aisles in grocery stores.  My Dad use to embarrass me and take his cart and push the emposing cart left in the middle of the aisle a LONG LONG ways away so he can get thru regardless of the person was near the cart or not.  I guess one of his pet peeves?

[..]

More details.

The driver of the pickup realized he had pulled in front of the bike in the right lane and moved to the left.

The rider seeing the pickup in his lane moved left.

And ran into the back of the pickup.

Target fixation? Who knows.

[Binkie]

Just because they went to a bar doesn’t mean they drank alcohol. When out riding I have stopped in many local bar/ grills to get something to eat and had a soda.

[Hooter]

This is why I quit doing poker runs and group rides in general. Seems like there are always bars involved.  Always a few participants with a beer in each hand slugging them down. I've seen enough injury and death on motorcycles,  I don't need to be part of it on my time.

[Jess from VA]

The SCRC (Southern Cruisers Rider's Club) exists all over, not just the South.

I rode with two different VA County chapters, years back.  Never joined, because that carried duties and responsibilities, including attending nighttime chapter meetings, a long way from my home.  It was no problem, and I was welcomed as a good rider and responsible person.  

They had a rule (nationwide), no drinking on Club rides period.  

Yet many would have one beer at lunch (I did too, a couple times, but mostly not, it makes me sleepy).

One of the chapters were real sticklers for all their rules.  So I pointed out all the one beer at lunch guys, and it was like farting in church.  I pointed out that if you allow one, how do you know it's not more?  I pointed out that many people were on (permanent) prescription drugs, which can often be bad even with one beer.  This was the beginning of the end of my riding with this chapter.  

Save your drinking for the end of the day where you only fall over walking around the parking lot.  

Group rides and alcohol do not go together.  A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.  One guy can take out multiples.  

And some guys in group rides don't even have the minimum skill set to participate sober.  He should never be allowed even one beer.