We just had a motorcycle t-bone a car outside our house. The motorcycle was going straight, while the car was attempting to make a left-hand turn into a busy intersection.
The car is at fault for attempting the turn, which required him to cut across three lanes of oncoming traffic and make a sharp left into his lane. But who's a fault doesn't help the rider, who is currently on the way to the hospital. Luckily, he was wearing full protective gear so he should make it out OK, but his bike is toast and he's got a hefty hospital bill coming up.
Folks, if you ride, and yes I ride as well, you have to ride as if everyone else on the road is trying to kill you. All it takes is one guy not paying attention and trying to take a short cut for you to be in big trouble. Do not assume anything. Do not think that someone will see you. Do not ride as if people on the road give a shit about you. They are trying to kill you, period, that's all you need to remember.
That's how you stay alive on a motorcycle.
I don't ride, a favorite cousin was killed through no fault of his own just as I got my driving license. I try to look out for motorcycles, but they seem to have some sort of camouflage and surprise me by their presence all too often. One of my least favorite things is the shithead kid on the low slung crotchrocket who passes me on the right in traffic while doing 70 or 75 MPH. Him I have no pity for when he splatters himself under a semi or against an overpass column. That's just Ma Nature cleaning up the gene pool.
ReplyDeleteGerry N.
In North Carolina, where turn signals are apparently optional, it's best to assume not only are they out to kill you, but they also have no regard for their own life. No passing zone? Merely a suggestion.
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