Article about bike crashes

This article blames noobs, recreation riders and the economy/fuel prices.

Yeah, I'm sure having SO MANY people texting or updating social media sites WHILE. THEY. DRIVE. has NOTHING to do with it.

I see it every single ride and when I was commuting 75 miles a day on my bike, I saw at least 10-15 people each direction looking at their phone while driving 75 miles per hour. Looking down at your phone for 5 seconds while driving 75 mph, you just traveled 550 WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE ROAD!!! Why is this so hard to understand? Why is it such a slap on the wrist fine when it has been proven to be as dangerous as drunk driving?




http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/12/24/48867/gas-prices-economy-blamed-for-spike-in-motorcycle/

 

I totally agree. It's an epidemic. I see it constantly non stop while on the road in traffic or not. I counted 7 cars in a row texting or looking at their phones while I was in the slow lane on a local highway. Thats in a ROW. It's not a comfort to me. How could that article not mention cell phone use when THAT is the thing that has increased in the stated years? Sport rider and new riders have always crashed. That's what they do. TEXTING is the thing that has increased in the years they mention. Shit nobody sees us when they ARE looking never mind when they aren't.

 

Does this mean we shouldn't text at the ton? OMG, what aboot our freedoms and individuality and all that other shit?

 

Motorcyclist are not exempt from texting while on the road. I kid you not, I saw a young rider on a dual sport who was trying to text while riding down the 5 freeway. Although the traffic was moving very slowly, it was in LA after all, but there he was left hand off the bar and phone in hand trying to text! There was even a photo floating around the on the internet, where a policeman was texting while riding his motorcycle.

What I don't understand is why not just call the person back and tell them you can't have a text conversation right now, as you're driving or riding, whatever the case may be. I would have to assume the fine for being on the phone (not hands free) or texting, would be the same. Although not entirely safe to pick up and dial, talking to someone for 10 seconds to say I can't chat now let's chat/talk when I'm not behind the wheel, has to be a lot safer than trying to spell out several words on a small screen. Heck, most smart phones today have voice dialing capabilities, press one button and speak... "Dial Randy, mobile" and low and behold the phone will dial!

 

If they made it a $1700 fine for everyone like they do for any class A endorsed license holder and had it posted everywhere, maybe it would put a dent in usage.
BUT, I doubt it, its an addiction like smoking, drinking and drugs . Especially with the kids, everything revolves around social media. Even though they have been driving less then a few years. Watch your ass, cant tell these days if the driver in front of you all over the road is drunk or texting, I get by there ass's pronto.

 

I think texting has actually surpassed drunk driving as the leading cause. I see it every day while on my bikes or in my truck.

 

Riders being stupid so they can post a YouTube video has to be a contributing factor too. Only partly kidding.

 

Prying a cellphone from someone's dead hands may soon become a reality.

Duccman called it right. This constant communication thing is addictive.

BRB... I need to read this latest ad from Walmart..

 

Funny, I do around 200 miles ah-week on two wheels and never saw anyone texting, drinking, getting sexual favours, or picking their noses. It sounds nutty, but I am focused on riding, if Pamela Anderson was driving along side me and gave a toot of her horn, I would give her a thumbs-up though. :loco:

Side bar, wuz tawking to a co-worker today and the topic of UPS drivers came up. He told me that he knew a driver doode that got "ratted oot" for taking a swig of water at a traffic light. Seems they have their own internal policing for such terrible infractions. Anyway, rubber side down and trust no-one :rambo:

 

Thats a very good point. Showing off for the camera. Otherwise how would we get those great fail vids.

 

I'll take a look on Google for some vids of all but nose picking. You're on your own for that. Seriously, may I suggest getting your peripheral vision checked oot?

Come to think of it maybe this nose picking is why harleydoods don't like full face helmets..

 

On the lighter side of things, I'm sure this is contributory in some accidents.

 

simple solution. Most phones have gps. Disable all but 911 calls over 15 mph. Simple tech exists. Very do-able. I beleive I was the victim of cell phone.

 

When the law came into place here, I thought I would have difficulty. So my employer got me an earpiece/ Blue Ant I think it was. That lasted about 2 weeks then it found a very nice quiet and dark spot in the bottom of my bottom drawer. When I am driving, the phone can ring, buzz, bump, fuck it can bounce all over the place for all I care. I have no problem just letting it do that. If it is important, they will leave a message or will call back. Maybe that is why I now get about 10 calls a month on my phone since I retired. That's a good thing.

 

One of the reasons the law is not enforced as opposed to in place, is that the generic "Ma Bell" has many pesos invested in cell technology, a shitload of which buys a lot of slack with the cops.

Someday some high ranking politician or politicians kid will either buy the farm due or take somebody else out using a mobile communications device. SOS with a movie idol or a music luminary. Then maybe the texters and talker will stick their thumbs back up their asses and stop this shit.


Twenty or so years ago. I suggested to a then Senator from Washington State who was ex-Naval Officer and Engineer and harleydood. (What a fucking combo eh?) and head of the State Transportation Committee that a way to inform folks that a cell device was being used was a light both on the front and rear of auto type vehicles be installed that would illuminate when the device was in use. All this before as I recall only OZ and France banned cell use whilst in motion and way before La Chica invented texting at the ton.

This fuckin dude told me there was "no problem".

Once back in the olden daze, I was on the bike behind a cage that was weaving. I got a little closer and there were two women in the front seat both talking on cell phones. Never did figure that one oot..

 

So we all know about the dangers of cell phones and such in the hand of cagers. So what's that mean? To me it means I better f@#king keep my skills up in order to stay alive out there. How many of you have done that or use all those skills all the time you ride? Only YOU can prevent YOU from being a statistic. Ride safe my friends.

 

So grey, because some twit on a cell phone turned left in front of me,"its my fault." I used my skills. I braked, I swerved, I hit her bumper cover in her lane as she completely occupied my lane. She didn't use turn signals. She told everyone present she never saw me. But it wasn't her fault because I didn't see her either. The cop saw the skid marks and told her "He did see you." I was scanning the road. I saw her the entire time. But I guess it is my fault because my skills weren't up to par. I'm glad you weren't the cop or the insurance company. Is there ever a time grey when its not the motorcyclists lack of skills fault?

 

IMO riding shouldn't have to be a constant contest with anybody. Way too many factors coupled with the use of cells and other devices The list is long.

 

Thats why riding street bikes, ALWAYS expect the unexpected.
Every time I play the what if game in my head, never fails...the gager doesn't look, no turn signal...ect.
Can't be lackadaisical. Jugor, don't take it so personal....we all experience the same shit every time we ride. When I ride to work weekly it's close to 270 miles, 3 different freeways...just always have to be looking for the hole, the way out if.
JMO of course

 

Yes its just your opinion. I hope you never get in the situation where your what ifs and skills aren't enough. I rode for 40 years without an accident. But your what if game has already failed if you think you can't be had. My skills kept me alive. Just barely. And if you think you can cover everybody you are full of something. Its not confidence.


been nice bye all