Rash of Cage/Motorcycle collisions

[Hef]

Within a 100 mile radius of Mt. Vernon, IL (Southern Illinois Location) there have been 6 motorcycle/vehicle collisions in the last three weeks resulting in 4 rider deaths and 6 critically injured riders. In 5 of the 6, the collision was caused by the vehicle driver turning left into the path of the rider. The other was a biker being rear ended and thrown from the impact into an oncoming lane where he was struck by an auto and later died from the injuries sustained. I have ridden all my life and I have never seen anything like this in a concentrated area in a short period of time where it almost seems like it's an epidemic. One of my best friends had a close emcounter just last week where a driver turned left in front of him. It was in town so he was only going about 30 mph and He was able to avoid the collision. He stopped to give the driver a piece of his mind and the driver's reply was "Sorry, I didn't see you but you really need to get rid of that thing before you get killed on it." He said if it had not have been a female driver there would have been violence at that point.  In Illinois the DMV has a campaign to get drivers to pay more attention to bikers by issuing a lot of ads which say "Start Seeing Motorcycles." They also issue this same text on bumper stickers which they give away. My theory for safe riding is to ride like they are out to get you and stay alert. Ride Safe. Hef

[The Anvil]

Texting and driving.

[Bobbo]

Within a 100 mile radius of Mt. Vernon, IL (Southern Illinois Location) there have been 6 motorcycle/vehicle collisions in the last three weeks resulting in 4 rider deaths and 6 critically injured riders. In 5 of the 6, the collision was caused by the vehicle driver turning left into the path of the rider. The other was a biker being rear ended and thrown from the impact into an oncoming lane where he was struck by an auto and later died from the injuries sustained. I have ridden all my life and I have never seen anything like this in a concentrated area in a short period of time where it almost seems like it's an epidemic. One of my best friends had a close emcounter just last week where a driver turned left in front of him. It was in town so he was only going about 30 mph and He was able to avoid the collision. He stopped to give the driver a piece of his mind and the driver's reply was "Sorry, I didn't see you but you really need to get rid of that thing before you get killed on it." He said if it had not have been a female driver there would have been violence at that point.  In Illinois the DMV has a campaign to get drivers to pay more attention to bikers by issuing a lot of ads which say "Start Seeing Motorcycles." They also issue this same text on bumper stickers which they give away. My theory for safe riding is to ride like they are out to get you and stay alert. Ride Safe. Hef

My reply to that statement would have been, "No, we need to get rid of idiot drivers like YOU, so I and others aren't killed."

[old2soon]

They ARE out to get us. Not a doubt in this ex military mind. When my 16 year old daughter drives the cage her cell phone goes in the glove box. Trying to teach her cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle is a major not to be done in this household. We shall see how this pays off in the real world. These accidents you told us about-if you could get the cage driver to tell the truth-yea i know-what would it actually reveal about what REALLY happened?? Just in this small town i live in i'm seeing way to many folks on the cell phone whilst TRYING to drive. Add in a sandwich drink and fries-well now it do get interesting. Daddy taught me a long time ago bout two hands on the wheel and paying attention. What the h-ll are they being taught today??? Stay alert-keep head and eyes moving-try to figure out what is the stupidest thing they could do to mess up your day. You won't have to wait to long and they won't dissapoint you. And thats the scary part-NOT dissapointing you. RIDE SAFE.

[csj]

Something I've noticed, on my last bike, a V65 magna, with a single
headlight, people were nearly hitting me 2-3 times a week.
They clearly couldn't see me.

This Valkyrie came with Cobra spots, my riding habits have not
changed, people are now seeing me, I have not had that
'I didn't see you' incident since I got the bike 6 yrs ago.

If we all put more light up front, it'd make a big difference.

I'm not trying to take away from the gravity of this post,
just sayin'.

[MarkT]

+1 on the "more light".  I was nearly killed by a left-turner in 1970 on my Ducati.  I have installed a HUGE light profile on the front of the Valk, while the Wing has 4 lights spread across the fairing, as well as 2 spots down low.  On the Valk, the headlight is a 130/90 with modulator, with 2 50 watt halogens on the crash bars on all the time. I've added 2 aircraft landing lights on the forks, with a selector switch, lets me select them coming on with high beam.  When I see a potential left turner - the high beam goes on, which adds the 130 watt headlight modulating, and the A/C lights come on, in addition to the 50 watt lights on the crash bars.  There is no chance my presence doesn't register, even with the airheads on the phone.  I have had no left-turner incidents in nearly a quarter million miles as a result.  Back in the day, it used to be a daily occurence, in cheese-head land.

[rodeo1]

hewr in western colo. they have killed about 6 or 7 this year alone.

reasons ?

well, you have the guys that rode 25 years ago, stopped to have kids and just started back up.

then you have the harley bunch parked in front of the local bar, then try to ride home (sorry, but i've never seen a goldwing parked in front of a bar) andits a fact that around 80% of bike accidents involve drugs or alcohol.

then the cell phones and texting. damn ! when will our lawmakers wake up and make that illegal ?

then you have at least twicew the number of drivers you had 10 years ago.

it goes on and on. my old man left me with this -- never try anything on your bike you wouldn't be willing to do in your car, and always understand that they just don't see you !

[donaldcc]

+1 on the "more light". 

  My Tourer only has the OEM light.  2 days ago I'm heading home at dusk, through town about 40 mph and there is a car ready to leave parking area on right.  I cover front brake and horn waiting for the left turn and sure enough right as I get there he pulls out.  Not left, but directly in front of me in my lane going same direction.  I was able to slow and go around him on the left. 

  I pulled up next to him and am screaming and pointing my finger almost touching his closed window.  the old codger just shrugs his shoulders and looks away like "crap happens".

  I need to get me one of those "loud horns" instead of the little squeaker and maybe add lights.

 

[solo1]

Left turns in front of motorcycles were the number one cause of injuries and deaths in the Harry Hurt study done 'way back when, in California.

Now with more drivers driving with their fingers up their arse and all the fingers of the other hand holding a cell phone yakking and using all of their minimal brain cells , there's nothing left to watch for motorcycles.

I think that everyone should be required to ride a motorcycle for one year before they drive a car.  That would at least thin out the gene pool somewhat.

As for me, I used to take the stand that if you T bone a car turning left in front of you, it's your fault.
Now, no matter how alert you are, no matter how you cover the front brake, there still is a chance that these idiots will do it to you anyway.

[R J]

I'll say it again.

Turn your high beam on in the day time, and leavee it on till dark.

Most of the Harley's I've seen with the little headlight, a match puts out more light than that thing does.

Wife and I were headed over to get my toenail removed.  She was driving.  She went to turn left in front of a bike, I happened to notice it and holler at her.  She stopped, was shaking like a dog shittin razor blades and said I never saw that bike.   She was looking partially into the sun.   I told her if I hadn't of caught a glimpse of him earlier I'd of never seen him either.

So, run your firkin HIGH BEAM unless it is dark out, then use it as it made for.

[sugerbear]

i put a set of yellow "fog" leds down low on my I/S, i think it helps to have a different color out front.

but...i could be just fartin in the breeze too..........

[donaldcc]

So, run your firkin HIGH BEAM unless it is dark out, then use it as it made for.

  I agree with that RJ, I always use high beam during the day.  I also usually flick it back and forth between high and low also as I approach a cage that may come out in front of me.

[Jess Tolbirt]

i too ran the amber lights on the front,, anything to be different

[Skinhead]

So, run your firkin HIGH BEAM unless it is dark out, then use it as it made for.

  I agree with that RJ, I always use high beam during the day.  I also usually flick it back and forth between high and low also as I approach a cage that may come out in front of me.

I'd be real careful about flicking lights at vehicles waiting to turn left. today many drivers take that as a relinquesment of right of way.

[solo1]

Exactly right.  Some drivers consider that flipping the lights is the same as waving them to go ahead.
I don't do it.  I wave at four way stops tho to get them out of the way so I don't have to watch them.

[donaldcc]

I'd be real careful about flicking lights at vehicles waiting to turn left. today many drivers take that as a relinquesment of right of way.

OK, no more light flicking for those imbeciles that don't know how to drive.  Will have to go for the million decibel horn.  

[iliveforcurves]

+1,000 on the headlight modulator!  I've seen how people notice me now with the modulator switched on.  A car stopped at a side street will start to pull out and will go about 3 feet and suddenly stop when they finally see me. 

[old2soon]

Having no PROOF to back this up except my 4000000 miles of over the road trucking and lesser miles in cages pickemup trucks and motorsickles and other varied forms of motorized vehicles. In 1961 got my first licsense. I was told often and repeatedly-it's a privelege-not a right. Maybe i'm wrong but in my first 20 25 years of driving we didn't have the distractions we have these days. Late 80s early 90s got satellite communications in the big trucks. Distraction. the 90s again-cell phone. Distraction. Had more than one dispatcher TRY to tell me to get a sandwhich and run on down the highway. NO FRIKKIN WAY. Kids today-I M H O are not being taught to respect driving. I'm amazed and saddened that so many of them do not realize they can die out there. And again saddened they are not taught to keep the head moving AND signal their intentions. This high school my daughter goes to has a drivers ed program-only in the summer and extremely difficult to get into. Again-no proof more of an observation-a lot of people today just don't give a $hit what happens or what they do or cause. There are laws in a lot of states about not using a cell phone while driving. There are also laws about drinking and driving. Throwing another random law at the situation is not a cure. Maybe a little more education is. How many more riders and others have to DIE before we as a people do something?? O-K didn't mean to rant and carry on like this. RIDE SAFE.

[Moonshot_1]

Vigilance. Always be alert. Never assume what another driver is going to do but always be wary of them.
Think of it, how many times in a year do we hear of someone running into a train?.
Trains are pretty predictable as they run on the tracks and are pretty visible as they weigh 100’s of tons. There are usually big signs, loud bells and even arms that block the road, yet in spite of this, people still manage to not see them and crash into them.

We are riding vehicles that are smaller than a compact car, faster than most sport cars, and we are pretty unpredictable relative to a train. We can appear from the smallest of places.
 
Only thing that can truly save us in this endeavor is ourselves.
Be vigilant, take safety courses, and learn how to really handle your ride. Don’t ride above your skill level.

And being a little bit paranoid in assuming the other drivers are out to get you is a plus.

[BF]

I have five lights on the front of my Valk.....and the main headlight is ALWAYS on bright during the day. 

Ride like they don't see you.....because they probably don't. 

[The Anvil]

So, run your firkin HIGH BEAM unless it is dark out, then use it as it made for.

  I agree with that RJ, I always use high beam during the day.  I also usually flick it back and forth between high and low also as I approach a cage that may come out in front of me.

Oh sweet Jesus do NOT do that around here. That tells me that you're letting me go and it will get you killed or maimed lickety-split.

You're not the first person to tell me this though. The other guy was a new rider and he was lamenting that people kept turning in front of him. "I don't get it, I even flash my high beams to get their attention and they still don't see me". 

[RoadKill]

Stupid Virus is what is to blame...It appears to be contagious and spreads generation to generation rampantly. This virus does cause death regularly but not to the infected host/carrier,more often it happens to the disease free. This is how it spreads so easily. Stupid eliminates the competition! 

[Nickster]

I had a lady pull out in front of me to make a left hand turn on July 6th. I had no time and tee Boned her. I wasnt going fast enough to get hurt real bad.  But boy did that lady get a piece of my mind.  I got the same response " sorry didnt see you " yeah.  Just ride safe and love life cause when its your time..... Well its your time.

[Walküre]

Couple things - I agree with the texting, but they are usually driving like they are drunk - weaving, and slow for the traffic. Think they're doing great! What I have seen, and seen a lot, is coming off a side street, barely slowing down, a quick glance, and running the stop. Crap, they do it in front of my TRUCK, with a huge ol' camper shell on it! It gives them just a split second, to make that decision, and that's just NOT enough time, with a bike - by the time they register that it's coming, when they've been looking for a CAR, it's too late - they are already out and across. I get it 3 or 4 times a week, sometimes even more.

On the modulator - I've been thinking seriously about one - my neighbor said "man, those things piss me off! I think it's a cop or something!!" I figure, hell, at least he's SEEING them!! That HAS to be a good thing, right? I'm not a "cool" rider, I'm a safe rider. I wear the safety gear just about 100% of the time. I tend to put WAY too many miles on bikes, to put myself in any "added" danger. The worst a modulator can do, is make them think I'm a Wing rider...that's a joke, son, I say, a JOKE!!   

That being said, we have had a rash, here, too, of cage/bike fatalities. But, on my trip to Ohio last week, I did see about 50 HD's, a vast majority of them brand new, ridden by riders with brand new jackets, boots, bandana's, etc. I have to guess that a number of them, were "first bike owners", with little experience, as evidenced by riding square in the middle of the lane. That's usually just a small giveaway, to me. I call it "trolling for road trash". I know a number of people my age, that now have their first bike, a HD, and act like they've been riding their whole life, when the 3,000 miles on the HD, is all they've ever ridden. I am NOT knocking HD owners, it's just a thing about numbers - I see 10 HD's for every non-HD I see. And I DO know that there are a lot of HD owners, who have bought into the 'gottahaveaHarley!!" attitude, who are instant bikers. With perhaps over a half-million miles on two wheels, I am  STILL learning things, on a regular basis.

R

[Tundra]

+1 on more lighting and airhorns.
  I live in a congested area and must travel through it to get to my good riding spots. I noticed that I use my airhorns everytime I ride. They are now on my pre-ride checklist, I rely on them that much

[Oss]

i probably ride thru the most congested area of the county. Lord knows I aint braggin just sayin my area has more numbnuts and truck and cab traffic than any sane person would want to ride thru in order to get back and forth to court in the south bronx near yankee stadium

87(Major Deegan) and 95 (cross bronx corridor)thru the bronx bottleneck and the Grand Concourse (2 lanes each way with yellow stripe divider and 2 lane each way service road which has seemingly random angle entrances and exits on the right and left turns filled with livery cabs (think immigrants who dont read or speak english and will race each other for a fare)

I am on my horn at the first glimpse of someone who may enter my "space"  That has gotten me a ticket which I beat altho the LEO said it wasnt why I got the ticket but that is an old story

The 1150rtp beemer (my commuter) high beams are always on as are the fog lites  

When on the Valk the high and fog lites are always on as well  Those who ride with me can back up my
claim that I will ride the air horn when I see someone come to the intersection or slow the other direction coming towards me  I am sorry if it scares you it is meant to scare them

The best defense is sometimes offense. Knowing how to go around an obstacle safely is also a big plus

and I never ride faster that I can safely stop going on any curve in the road. Ya never know when traffic is stopped or what is on the road. If I cant see 2 seconds ahead I slow it down until I can see.
This also goes for right turn sweepers when next to a truck I will lay back till the road straightens out
 If you have ever seen the sheet over a biker or  part of a person in the road next to pieces of a bike you can understand why this is
That said I enjoy every minute I am in the wind on either bike, or I wouldnt ride.

And like the other posters I wish I could just smash a hammer into the side window of every car I pass where folks are on the phone or texting while driving.

[Gryphon Rider]

My auxilliary lights are each halogen headlights with high/low beams, so in effect I have three headlights.  They are always on high until it's dark enough that they are obviously reflecting back to me off of road signs.  I ride at a predictable speed when approaching intersections and when passing other vehicles.  I position myself in my lane so I can best be seen by the traffic that is the greatest threat to me.  I ride to/from work in rush hour in the middle of a 1,000,000+ population city.  I rarely get pulled out in front of, such that I can't remember the last time it happened.

[The Anvil]

I must say that I really do want to add a light bar. I'm also thinking of adding some ufo LED's. I figure if I go down the road looking like this...



...they can't miss me.



Boy: "WTF was that?"
Woman: "I dunno, but it sounded bitchin' didn't it?"