Awareness... practice it!

[ptgb]

I am usually not real big on the postings about motorcycle crashes... usually feel it's kinda morbid. This one knocks it back home the importance of situational awareness...

Might know, or might not, I am a police officer (20 years). I have been to my share of crashes including motorcycle crashes.

Yesterday we went out on a motorcycle (cruiser) vs. semi at a stop-lighted intersection of a 4 lane divided highway. I won't get real graphic, but the two on the bike were killed instantly. It was the worst crash I have ever been on; it involved dismemberment, impalement, and other assorted horrific events. It is one that will stick with me forever.

It ended up that the motorcycle was going pretty fast and didn't see his red light. Skid marks about 100 feet, then another 30 feet of scrapes as the bike was sliding. They hit the side of the tractor at the fuel tank and got caught up in the truck.

The point of this post is, it was totally avoidable with awareness of the intersection ahead and common sense riding. I am not posting this to lecture... but I know this one opened my eyes.

Ride safe everyone and work constantly to be aware of your surroundings.

[Valker]

+1 on ptgb post AND learn how to stop your motorcycle! "Laying it down" is NOT the answer.

[john]

excessive speed ... inattention ... panic                     on two wheels                                 

[Thulsa Doom]

Shame the passenger had no control of his destiny. Another point is the driver was responsible for 2 lives that day. His poor judgement was twice as deadly.

[Ice]

We just had one of those this past month, Idiot running from the cops and his girlfriend on the back haniging on for dear life, well after 8-9 miles the duschbag found the side of a mini van and killed himself and his girlfriend, luckily the baby in the back of the mini van was ok, but I am sure scared for life.

[PAVALKER]

+1 on ptgb post AND learn how to stop your motorcycle! "Laying it down" is NOT the answer.

Agree.... steel/metal will slide faster, further and in the same direction it was initially headed... whereas rubber has more grip and friction and can be slowed down, or steered into a different direction.  However, sometimes panic is a terrible thing and there is no time for rational thinking.... only proper repeated training is engrained and remembered as a more natural response.

[..]

+1

Practise, practise, practise.

New riders should not be allowed to carry a passenger for 1 year or 5,000 miles.

Too many experienced riders think that because they have ridden for years and tens of thousands of miles that that they know it all.

Every time I ride in a group it pains me to see sloppy riding habits.

youtube has the evidence for all to see.

[Dubsvalk]

Amen, Brothers, Amen!
Dubs

[Gryphon Rider]

 An 1800 Goldwing with a competent solo rider can get stopped from 60MPH in 121 feet*.  This rider should have been able to get down to a survivable crash speed, or even stop in time if he wasn't speeding.  I'm assuming a speed limit of 60 or less on a road with traffic lights.

[Alien]

I appreciate the post.  I spent a number of years on an ambulance (EMT) and I understand what you mean by "One that will stick with me forever."  I have one of those too and like yours, it did not have to happen.

Ride safe,

Scott

[Disco]

Thank you for your service, Pete, and thanks for posting. 

Sorry you had to go through it... 

[cookiedough]

this spring witnessed a head on collision ford f150 with newer ford fusion around 60 mph on a straight hwy. road.  Somehow the pickup crossed the centerline and wow, what a collision.  I ran over across the cornfield to the hwy. and by the time I got there, they had the car covered with a tarp (she was gone instantly) and medflight had to land on the hwy. and use jaws of life to cut the top off the truck to get the pickup driver to hospital in critical condition. 

Don't know how, but road is perfectly straight so pickup owner must have been doing something crazy unaware like you said of surroundings.  Such a shame these careless accidents are happening more and more.  I never have seen or witnessed a collision like that in my life and hopefully never will see another one.

[ValkFlyer]

Thanks for posting this, it's a sad but important reminder about the need for staying focused and real about how quickly something we all love can end abruptly, unpleasantly, and.....permanently.