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Wow two people died this week in my town on motorcycles. Check it out. One died Friday on the freeway lane splitting between a semi and a civic he was knock off the bike and under the semi... Ouch!!!
Last night a solo rider hit a curb was ejects and knocked down a light pole!!! Died later at the hospital.
I'm being extra cautious lately. This is unusual to have this many accidents in 3 days.
My Fiance and Family are all super worried about me riding now. I assure them I am safe but this is getting annoying we all understand the dangers of riding and do out best to be safe.
http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/81776/
http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/81814
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We had a number of motorcycle deaths this summer as well. Nearly all seemed to be crashes involving drunk drivers hitting the motorcyclist with their car during early morning hours.
Also a quite a rash of drunk drivers hitting houses with their cars. Not even safe in your home.
I got rear ended a few weeks ago in a four car pileup. Thankfully, I was in my car and at the front of the crash. The others were hauled out in ambulances. I didn't hurt until the next day. No idea if the driver was drunk, texting, or just not paying attention. Looking at the crash made me seriously question riding.
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70-80 mph and lane splitting??????
Well.................
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That happens A LOT. I don't condone it, but there is nothing strictly PROHIBITING splitting at that speed. Personally his big mistake was splitting next to a truck. That is a HUGE no no.
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Sounds like these 2 were judgment errors and could have been avoided with safe/sane riding practices.
Being cognizant of the risk is GOOD; anticipate what others may do, assume that nobody sees you, don't drink and ride, and wear proper gear. Do that and you at least give yourself a fighting chance. Be safe out there!
grover
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As it's been posted before, a few major points to reduce your chance of being in an accident and dying.
1. wear a helmet
2. don't speed
3. don't drink/drug
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Both of these fatal crashes do seem at least a little bit preventable by the riders. Lane splitting at that speed is at the least stupid, and probably careless if not reckless. I'll take your word for it that its not strictly prohibited - did you mean technically not prohibited by law?- But neither is sticking your finger into an electrical socket. Doesn't mean you should do it. Doing stupid things on a motorcycle can get bad real quick.
Also, to hit a curb without involvement by another vehicle? And to be launched with such force to take down a pole tells me at least speed was a factor.
Yes, we are victims of a drunk or careless cage driver all too often, but many M/C crashes are also due to the motorcyclist being drunk. I choose to lower the odds by riding sober, wearing protective HI-Viz gear, installing driving lights, and generally not doing dumb things while riding.
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I agree with everyone it's just a matter of convincing my fiancé and family I ride safe and to not worry so much. Both accidents were the rider's fault. I stay far far away from semis if I can. They scare me lol I also don't lane split unless I am at a stop light or in slow 5-10mph traffic. Lane splitting at 70+ is asking for it
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(11-10-2014, 06:36 AM)ClassicVW_imp Wrote: Both of these fatal crashes do seem at least a little bit preventable by the riders. Lane splitting at that speed is at the least stupid, and probably careless if not reckless. I'll take your word for it that its not strictly prohibited - did you mean technically not prohibited by law?- But neither is sticking your finger into an electrical socket. Doesn't mean you should do it. Doing stupid things on a motorcycle can get bad real quick.
Also, to hit a curb without involvement by another vehicle? And to be launched with such force to take down a pole tells me at least speed was a factor.
Yes, we are victims of a drunk or careless cage driver all too often, but many M/C crashes are also due to the motorcyclist being drunk. I choose to lower the odds by riding sober, wearing protective HI-Viz gear, installing driving lights, and generally not doing dumb things while riding.
What I meant was what I said. It's not prohibited by law I.E. it's not illegal. That doesn't make is smart or safe, just not illegal and I don't do nor do I condone the action, but it goes on A LOT out here.
California motorcyclists take lane splitting/sharing VERY seriously because it is allowed here and so many cagers either don't know that, don't AGREE with that, or feel that it is their right to stop it in any way they can. I have been CHASED by a cager because I spit to the front at a stop light and he didn't like it. He was actually trying to HIT me and I just got the heck outta there with extreme prejudice to save my hide and he was weaving in and out of rush hour traffic to try and keep up with me....scared the BLEEP outta me.
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Put a few ball bearings in a section of your tank bag and toss a couple over your shoulder behind you when that cager is on your tail, but then be prepared to get the hell outta there!
