09-29-2017, 01:46 AM
I very seldom ride my motorcycle in the city. But a couple of weeks ago after topping up the gas tank after a day long ride I had a close call. I looked left and then right exiting a shopping center parking lot. There were cars approaching from the right but they turned right into an opposing entrance leaving me the right of way. Just as I started forward I heard the sound of a loud horn and screeching brakes. I instinctively turned hard left towards the curb and applied the brakes. I ended up a couple of inches away from a shiny new BMW.
The young driver had turned left from behind the store while I was looking right. When he rolled down the passenger window I apologized and thank him for stopping quickly and sounding the horn.
After he had driven away I wondered if I had spent more time looking right than I realized, or did he race around the corner and hence the screeching brakes. As my dad used to say, "It takes two mistakes to make an accident." But I know I should have made a second look left before proceeding. Rode away happy there was no contact.
The young driver had turned left from behind the store while I was looking right. When he rolled down the passenger window I apologized and thank him for stopping quickly and sounding the horn.
After he had driven away I wondered if I had spent more time looking right than I realized, or did he race around the corner and hence the screeching brakes. As my dad used to say, "It takes two mistakes to make an accident." But I know I should have made a second look left before proceeding. Rode away happy there was no contact.