I had two near misses yesterday...one in the morning and one in the evening...

The first one happened as I was heading in to the underground parking garage where I work. I have to go through a tunnel that's about 150 feet long. At the end of the tunnel, where it connects to the main garage, is a ramp where cars come down from the next level up. They are coming from my left and they have a big mirror to use so they can see vehicles coming through the tunnel.

I usually have no problems with vehicles yeilding the right of way but, yesterday was an exception. I was behind a pick-up, maybe half the length of the tunnel. There was a car that was stopped on the ramp. The truck goes by and I expect the car to go ahead and proceed...she didn't though. She just sat there.

Well, just as I get to the spot where the tunnel and the ramp meet, this dingbat just takes off and turns left in front of me! :yikes

Thankfully, I was going pretty slow already due to the fact that there's a speed bump that I have to go over as I exit the tunnel. We were literally inches apart! I blipped the throttle (quicker that finding the horn button) a couple of times to register my displeasure with her choice!

I then noticed she had her drivers side window down. I pulled to the left of her (still behind her) and shouted as loud as I could "Hey! Didn't you see me? Of course not! You need to pay more attention!".

She probably told all of her co-workers that an outlaw biker threatened her in the parking garage! :shhhh

The second near miss was when I was in the left of two right-turn lanes, turning right. There was a car in the right turn lane beside me. As we are turning right, this dufuss just wanders on over into my lane! I got lucky again simply because I wasn't directly beside him since I was on the outside of the turn. I was also going slow due to the fact that the road surface is really rought there and I just hit the brakes and moved left in my lane.

The car had two couples in it and they were all yucking it up. Two of them were on cell phones (not the driver) and they were all just laughing and having a good time. Well, at least until I pulled up beside them at the next light! :madtwo

I motioned for the girl in the front pasenger seat to roll her window down, which she did...still laughing. I asked her if the driver knew he'd almost crashed into me when he cut me off at the last turn...she got this confused look on her face and looked at the driver and said something to him. He leaned down a bit to make eye contact with me and I asked him the same question.

He just sort of shrugged his shoulders and replied weakly "No". I told him he should pay more attention to what he's doing behind the wheel and stop yucking it up, before he hurts or kills somebody!

He muttered a half hearted "I'm sorry about that, man", with a smirk on his face! I then said "Yeah, I can see that..."!

I just don't get the lack of seriousness that some drivers have when it comes to fact that they drive like total idiots.

I had a near miss yesterday too and I was pretty shaken up. We were making a left into a gas station to take a break during our ride yesterday up in BFE Pennsylvania somewhere. Hubby was ahead of me and got into the gas station parking lot...I had to stop and wait for 2 more cars coming the other direction before I could cross over. All the sudden I heard a car hit the brakes and rubber screeching right behind me....I felt a cold chill and just held my breath for a second. I quickly looked over my shoulder to my right and there was the car that had been behind me for a few miles stopped on an angle next to me. She just continued on her merry way and I went ahead and pulled into the gas station, got off the bike and tried to stop shaking...I even had a bit of tears well up in my eyes as I realized I was ok. Hubby didn't even see what happened and I told him I almost got taken out. He said he heard the tires squeal but didn't realize it was because of me. Its not like I didn't have my signal on because I did dammit!

Thank goodness for guardian angels! I didn't let it ruin my great ride yesterday though. I shook it off and we continued on and enjoyed the day. :)

DMSC I'm glad both incidents turned out to be uneventful. That's exactly what I was saying yesterday in another thread. When people pull this shit they aren't paying attention - so of course they have no idea what they just did.

You hear it all the time, "I didn't even see the motorcycle". This is obviously because they weren't paying attention.

I know it's scary and frustrating when near misses happen, but please be careful who you approach because road rage is so common nowadays and you could end up with a gun in your face.

I don't even view them as near misses anymore, I regard them as attempts on my life. Therefore I understand the need to get your point across not that anybody ever even gives a sh!t, sad but true so I'm afraid we're just going to have to live with it....

Is it because I'm getting old or do the young drivers seem to be bigger and bigger idiots in their by mommy and daddy paid for suv (so THEY'RE safe) yacking on their phones with complete disregard for everything around them.

Glad you're both ok!

Yep... motorcycling is more dangerous right now... weather has just got warmer around here, and cages are more clue-less than usual about bikes being on the road. Saw in the Toledo Blade that a biker got took out... usual article "he had his helmet on"...."traveling at high rate of speed" BUT.... when you decipher from the article who was traveling which way, you discover that Left Turn Louise took out the biker.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050406/NEWS01/504060445

but on the same (sad) note, sometimes bikers do it to themselves:

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050407/NEWS01/504070344

Unfortunate incidents for sure, but a sure reminder: BE CAREFUL OUT THERE. Don't let them do it to you, but don't do it to yourself either.

some days you just beees invisable! happens to me in my truck also.i thonk it's caused by anal retina syndrom a side effect of haveing your head stuck in your ass.

george

I guess the badest drivers are the ones that have never rode a motorcylce, when I am in my car I always look in my mirrors and over my shoudler and look for motor cycles. Escpecially when traffic is slow and the bikes are trying to pass through the heavy traffic.

I picture myself riding there and because of that I look twice, people that have never driven a motorcycle usually just don't have a clue

On the other hand some bikers have the tendency to drive like maniacs through heavy traffic (especially crotch rockets) which in my opinion is as dumb as not looking over your shoulder when shifting lanes.

I am glad you are both alright. I have had a few near misses also. Only one time did the driver say he was sorry. He must have ridden a bike or knew someone who did because he was a freaked out as I was and kept saying he was sorry. The other times it is like you are a bother to them. Next time you are driving or riding count the number of people you see on cell phones. I have done this for about a mile or so. There were 20-25 cars and 18-20 were on a phone!

I know it's scary and frustrating when near misses happen, but please be careful who you approach because road rage is so common nowadays and you could end up with a gun in your face.

Yeah, I know. But, I also ride bicycles and the same sh :censor happens to me then too! I just get my fill of it! :madhead

As for someone pulling a gun on me, I don't want that to happen, of course. I do, however, come prepared as I have a SC CWP.

I am glad you are both alright. I have had a few near misses also. Only one time did the driver say he was sorry. He must have ridden a bike or knew someone who did because he was a freaked out as I was and kept saying he was sorry. The other times it is like you are a bother to them. Next time you are driving or riding count the number of people you see on cell phones. I have done this for about a mile or so. There were 20-25 cars and 18-20 were on a phone!

IMHO, it's not the cell phones that's the problem. If you take the cell phone away from 99% of those who drive poorly while talking on them, they'd still be BAD drivers.

The same can be said for older drivers. Most couldn't drive any better when they were 25! :rolleyes:

IMHO, it's not the cell phones that's the problem. If you take the cell phone away from 99% of those who drive poorly while talking on them, they'd still be BAD drivers.:

I will give you that but it is one more thing to distract them.

I had two near misses yesterday...one in the morning and one in the evening...

The first one happened as I was heading in to the underground parking garage where I work. I have to go through a tunnel that's about 150 feet long. At the end of the tunnel, where it connects to the main garage, is a ramp where cars come down from the next level up. They are coming from my left and they have a big mirror to use so they can see vehicles coming through the tunnel.

I usually have no problems with vehicles yeilding the right of way but, yesterday was an exception. I was behind a pick-up, maybe half the length of the tunnel. There was a car that was stopped on the ramp. The truck goes by and I expect the car to go ahead and proceed...she didn't though. She just sat there.

Well, just as I get to the spot where the tunnel and the ramp meet, this dingbat just takes off and turns left in front of me! :yikes

Thankfully, I was going pretty slow already due to the fact that there's a speed bump that I have to go over as I exit the tunnel. We were literally inches apart! I blipped the throttle (quicker that finding the horn button) a couple of times to register my displeasure with her choice!

I then noticed she had her drivers side window down. I pulled to the left of her (still behind her) and shouted as loud as I could "Hey! Didn't you see me? Of course not! You need to pay more attention!".

She probably told all of her co-workers that an outlaw biker threatened her in the parking garage! :shhhh

The second near miss was when I was in the left of two right-turn lanes, turning right. There was a car in the right turn lane beside me. As we are turning right, this dufuss just wanders on over into my lane! I got lucky again simply because I wasn't directly beside him since I was on the outside of the turn. I was also going slow due to the fact that the road surface is really rought there and I just hit the brakes and moved left in my lane.

The car had two couples in it and they were all yucking it up. Two of them were on cell phones (not the driver) and they were all just laughing and having a good time. Well, at least until I pulled up beside them at the next light! :madtwo

I motioned for the girl in the front pasenger seat to roll her window down, which she did...still laughing. I asked her if the driver knew he'd almost crashed into me when he cut me off at the last turn...she got this confused look on her face and looked at the driver and said something to him. He leaned down a bit to make eye contact with me and I asked him the same question.

He just sort of shrugged his shoulders and replied weakly "No". I told him he should pay more attention to what he's doing behind the wheel and stop yucking it up, before he hurts or kills somebody!

He muttered a half hearted "I'm sorry about that, man", with a smirk on his face! I then said "Yeah, I can see that..."!

I just don't get the lack of seriousness that some drivers have when it comes to fact that they drive like total idiots.

A new one I'm going to use is asking how they'd feel when my kids don't have a Dad anymore because THEY don't care enough to watch....and not waiting for an answer....

DMSC I'm glad both incidents turned out to be uneventful. That's exactly what I was saying yesterday in another thread. When people pull this shit they aren't paying attention - so of course they have no idea what they just did.

You hear it all the time, "I didn't even see the motorcycle". This is obviously because they weren't paying attention.

I know it's scary and frustrating when near misses happen, but please be careful who you approach because road rage is so common nowadays and you could end up with a gun in your face.

They would not be alone in that endeavor, were that to happen to me.... :) :)

IMHO, it's not the cell phones that's the problem. If you take the cell phone away from 99% of those who drive poorly while talking on them, they'd still be BAD drivers.

Maybe so, but when I am passing a car on a 3 lane highway, if I see a cell phone in the ear of the driver, I don't pass unless the lane on my left is clear too.

Good for you to make sure they knew what they did DM! I like Chuck's idea.

I had a bizzare encounter yesterday...Was cruising along in double lane traffic, right lane. A red Toyota 4x4 with a canopy was on my left. With traffic being what it was I was having a hard time either getting ahead or behind him. I hate cruising with vehicles right beside me! Anyway, I'd been pretty much side by side with him for a little ways and no biggy. Traffic behind me gave a little and I started to ease up to let the truck get ahead of me. Right as he slowly was moving ahead, a BIG HUGE GIANT black hell hound of a beast came ROARING out of the open side canopy window. He was going absolutely frickin ballistic right by my head! Scared the :censor out of me. I mean it came completely out of no where! Fortunately it stunned my brain enough that by the time I could tell my hands to swerve to get away from Cujo I was back to my senses.

Just another thing I will be watching out for in the future.

Good for you to make sure they knew what they did DM! I like Chuck's idea.

I had a bizzare encounter yesterday...Was cruising along in double lane traffic, right lane. A red Toyota 4x4 with a canopy was on my left. With traffic being what it was I was having a hard time either getting ahead or behind him. I hate cruising with vehicles right beside me! Anyway, I'd been pretty much side by side with him for a little ways and no biggy. Traffic behind me gave a little and I started to ease up to let the truck get ahead of me. Right as he slowly was moving ahead, a BIG HUGE GIANT black hell hound of a beast came ROARING out of the open side canopy window. He was going absolutely frickin ballistic right by my head! Scared the :censor out of me. I mean it came completely out of no where! Fortunately it stunned my brain enough that by the time I could tell my hands to swerve to get away from Cujo I was back to my senses.

Just another thing I will be watching out for in the future.

Oh man! Leave it to YOU to have a weird event like that! :D

Maybe so, but when I am passing a car on a 3 lane highway, if I see a cell phone in the ear of the driver, I don't pass unless the lane on my left is clear too.

Oh yeah...not doubt about that being an excellent, perhaps skin/life saving idea!

Oh yeah...not doubt about that being an excellent, perhaps skin/life saving idea!

I have a great little motion I use ALL the time (since its illegal here in NYS to use a cell phone w/out a headset while driving....

When its safe to do it, I get their attention.....with the horn perhaps.....and I hold my left hand up to my head (thumb for earpice, pinky for mic, you get it...) and it quickly turns into a bird with a flick of the wrist and an upraised finger.....

I have a great little motion I use ALL the time (since its illegal here in NYS to use a cell phone w/out a headset while driving....

When its safe to do it, I get their attention.....with the horn perhaps.....and I hold my left hand up to my head (thumb for earpice, pinky for mic, you get it...) and it quickly turns into a bird with a flick of the wrist and an upraised finger.....

:laugh I'd be carefull with that though...haven't made to many of those gestures since an F-250 driver got mad and kept trying to push me off the road...

I have a great little motion I use ALL the time (since its illegal here in NYS to use a cell phone w/out a headset while driving....

When its safe to do it, I get their attention.....with the horn perhaps.....and I hold my left hand up to my head (thumb for earpice, pinky for mic, you get it...) and it quickly turns into a bird with a flick of the wrist and an upraised finger.....

:eek That's a good one, Chuck! :smiliesig

:laugh I'd be carefull with that though...haven't made to many of those gestures since an F-250 driver got mad and kept trying to push me off the road...

That's what the aforementioned lead projectile propulsion device is for.... :)

I've had that happen.....I just pull over....had one actually stop, as well, and I just reached into my jacket, and kept my hand there......

Needless to say, they left pretty quickly.....

Something I saw this past weekend was something I'm always watching out for - cars coming onto the freeway. We were riding down the freeway, in the middle lane as we approached an on ramp. As the right lane was having to merge with oncoming traffic, one woman, in an SUV directly next to me decided she didn't like the idea of merging with oncoming traffic and wanted in my lane. After starting to pull over on top of me (which wouldn't have happened because I was watching her very closely and already had my escape route planned), she swerved back into her lane and waited for me to pass. Just as I suspected she would do, the very second I got past, she again made a huge, exhaggerated swerve into my lane, only to find that my buddy was behind me. She nearly canceled Christmas for him, not to mention the people she almost cleaned out of her own lane as she had to rip her vehicle back to its starting position. She was so anxious to get one car ahead that she was willing to run people over because she was in too big of a hurry to make sure the lane was clear. :censor :censor :censor What a freak! And YES, she was on her cell phone. I just looked at her and shook my head in disgust. :frownthre

I have a great little motion I use ALL the time (since its illegal here in NYS to use a cell phone w/out a headset while driving....

When its safe to do it, I get their attention.....with the horn perhaps.....and I hold my left hand up to my head (thumb for earpice, pinky for mic, you get it...) and it quickly turns into a bird with a flick of the wrist and an upraised finger.....


I LOVE IT!!! :laugh :laugh :laugh :clap

Something I saw this past weekend was something I'm always watching out for - cars coming onto the freeway. We were riding down the freeway, in the middle lane as we approached an on ramp. As the right lane was having to merge with oncoming traffic, one woman, in an SUV directly next to me decided she didn't like the idea of merging with oncoming traffic and wanted in my lane. After starting to pull over on top of me (which wouldn't have happened because I was watching her very closely and already had my escape route planned), she swerved back into her lane and waited for me to pass. Just as I suspected she would do, the very second I got past, she again made a huge, exhaggerated swerve into my lane, only to find that my buddy was behind me. She nearly canceled Christmas for him, not to mention the people she almost cleaned out of her own lane as she had to rip her vehicle back to its starting position. She was so anxious to get one car ahead that she was willing to run people over because she was in too big of a hurry to make sure the lane was clear. :censor :censor :censor What a freak! And YES, she was on her cell phone. I just looked at her and shook my head in disgust. :frownthre

I've had things like that happen, as well....sometimes, when we ride in groups, things become VERY uncomfortable for a cager when they find themselves surrounded by pissed off bikers because of their stupidity....

Glad you and your friend were ok...

I guess that's why we "SEE"

You guys are rite on it, with the weather getting better and more bikes are out on the road people who don't have a clue about motorcycles need to be more carefull.
I had my close call this past tuesday while riding to work, my ride to work is a 30 mile very cool ride out through the country. There is a place where the main road splits. The car setting at the stop sign wanting to pull out coming in the opposite direction didn't see me directly behind the truck in front of me. When the truck put on his signal to turn right the car just pulled out directly in front of me. Lucky for me I could see the guy and figured he was going to do exactly what he did. I gave him the what gives hand jester and he looked ahead as if I wasn't there at all.

go figure!!!!

Spring time seems to be the worst season for riding. The first sign of warm weather everyone has there head in the clouds. Combined with roads hazards compliments of old man winter. :(

didn't see me directly behind the truck in front of me.

Bingo....

Is it possible you may have been following too closely?

cagers don't give a crap about other cars on the road let along motorcycles. Especially the big SUV's which usually have the smallest people in them barely able to see over the stearing wheel. I have a few ford excursions by me and i swear you have to be under 5' tall to be able to buy that truck because everyone i see has a short little lady driving it that can barely see wear she's going let alone actually be able to drive it with 1-2 kids in the back. I was taking a ride last night to the post office and some woman in a car cuts me off and makes a right shortly afterwards. as she turned i laid on the horn and gave her the finger. people just don't care anymore there to busy talking on their cell phones to their friends bullshiting about wear they are going to eat or get drunk that night or whatever they are talking about and they pay no attention to who is around them. most of them act like they are the only one on the road and they own the road. or you get these idiots who realize they want to turn here and are too stupid to think "well i missed this one i'll go to the next block and turn around" no they just cut you off and slam on the brakes to make the turn. I was driving in NYC the other day with my car and i tell you i don't think i will ever take my bike through there. It's a death trap. I was on the Brooklyn Queens expressway in my car going about 65 mph and next thing i know a flat bed going about 80 cuts me off so bad i swear part of the front of my car was underneath the rear end of his flatbed. Too many people drive like idiots, they don't pay attention and they don't seem to care. They figure out what they want to do always too late and at a bad time and all they think about is getting to that point and never does it dawn on them who or what is around them and how to handle the situation. ok i am not going to write anymore because i'm just getting aggrivated thinking about this topic.

oh and i'm glad you didn't get hurt or into an accident. I've seen one car & motorcycle accident in my life and unfortunately the motorcyclist did not live through it. I do not want to see another.

Scan
Evaluate
Execute

I haven't even TAKEN the course yet (just studied the book they sent in advance)

This procedure has NOT gotten me out of a close call....its make close calls MUCH less possible.

We are responsible for saving ourselves...

I'm gonna be freakin UNBEARABLE after I take this course...I just KNOW it...

TAKE THE MSF COURSE....PLEASE

I think you all are the best, and I don't want to lose ANY ONE of you....

OK, maybe 1 or 2...(j/k) but the REST, I want to see you here forever...

Be safe out there folks...we can bitch about the cagers, but that's akin to the mouse bitchin about the cats....

Scan
Evaluate
Execute

....

Scan.............ahead, to the sides, and to the rear.

Evaluate.........determine which scenarios are a danger and plan your action.

Execute..........the bastard the frist chance you get, preferably with a shotgun, it can't be traced.

Scan
Evaluate
Execute

Yep, that's the one thing that stands out the most from the course for me. I catch myself repeating it every now and then as I'm riding through scary areas like traffic, woods (keeping alert for deer), neighborhoods, etc. Remembering what SEE is, and practicing SEEing, has been the thing that has stuck the most - I guess because my life depends on it. :rolleyes:

Execute..........the bastard the frist chance you get, preferably with a shotgun, it can't be traced.

Haha! Well, I guess you could look at it that way. :laugh :laugh

Scan.............ahead, to the sides, and to the rear.

Evaluate.........determine which scenarios are a danger and plan your action.

Execute..........the bastard the frist chance you get, preferably with a shotgun, it can't be traced.

Ummmm...I missed that part in the book, but I like the idea... ;)

DMSC I'm glad both incidents turned out to be uneventful. That's exactly what I was saying yesterday in another thread. When people pull this shit they aren't paying attention - so of course they have no idea what they just did.

.


It's not that. They just don't give a damn. You are on the bike, they are in the car. If a collision occurs guess who loses? They just don't care. People who do not know you can be unbelievably calloused. To them you are just a crazy ass biker. That is why you have to ride like you are on patrol in down town Fallujah.

It's not that. They just don't give a damn. You are on the bike, they are in the car. If a collision occurs guess who loses? They just don't care. People who do not know you can be unbelievably calloused. To them you are just a crazy ass biker. That is why you have to ride like you are on patrol in down town Fallujah.

Agreed..I think most people pay more attention to not hitting a dog, cat, squirrel, rabbit, etc. than bikes!

Agreed..I think most people pay more attention to not hitting a dog, cat, squirrel, rabbit, etc. than bikes!


I HATE squirrel stoppers........................personally, I try to run over or shoot every squirrel I can.............they're nothing but a large rat with a bushy tail. They've done over $2000 damage to my house, and according to the local fire marshal are responsible for one-third of the fires in this area. They chew the pastic coating (which has a salt flavor) off electrical wires, which then short out and burn the house down.

It's not that. They just don't give a damn. You are on the bike, they are in the car. If a collision occurs guess who loses? They just don't care. People who do not know you can be unbelievably calloused. To them you are just a crazy ass biker. That is why you have to ride like you are on patrol in down town Fallujah.
At least in Fallujah you can shoot back. :yikes

This is something I found on another web site. It is extreme but it makes sense.

Why Cars Need To Be More Dangerous
by: Reverend Jon


By now, most of you who are reading this have cars with antilock brake systems (ABS), a clever innovation which detects when the brakes have locked and modulates them automatically to prevent loss of traction. Truly a marvel of technological sophistication, the average ABS is a fantastically complicated bit of machinery, loaded with sensors & equipped with a microprocessor which can store literally hundreds of different error codes, should anything go wrong with the equipment. So, what effect has the widespread use of ABS had on accident statistics? Zippo. Nada. Big goose egg. OK, then, why the hell don't they take them out?


Those of us in the engineering profession tend to want to believe that every problem can be solved with technology. We would like to think that we can make a car which is so sophisticated, so automatic, that it will make even the biggest numbnuts on earth drive like Mario Andretti. So we load cars up, to the tune of $10,000, with safety features like ABS, airbags, impact crumple zones and daytime running lights.

Trouble is, the problem is not, nor has it ever been, the safety of the cars. The problem is still, as it has always been, the safety of the dickhead behind the wheel. In fact, all of these supposed safety features might be counterproductive, since they tend to give the driver a feeling of invulnerability. (Picture some yuppie moron who thinks that an SUV can corner like a sportscar, saying in a Superman-like voice, "I can drive like an as:censorle; I've got antilock brakes!")

So, how do we make cars safer? Simple. First, take out all the seat belts, air bags, crumple zones and ABS crap. Next, put an eight inch steel spike in the center of the steering column. Maybe have the spike emit a faint humming sound at random intervals, just so you don't forget that it's there. This is also appealing from a Darwinian natural-selection viewpoint, since the chronic tailgaters/rear-enders would undoubtedly be the first ones to get spiked. Imagine the bloody horror show right on the 11:00 news; a young stockbroker-type in a spotless new Ford Explorer, slumped over the steering wheel with a razor-sharp steel tip protruding from his back, viscera and gore spattered all over the windshield and soaked into the upholstery... Now that would make cars safer!

ABS doesn't decrease the length of braking. All it does is allow you to still maintain control during heavy braking. The most effective braking is right before wheel lock up. Take the abs off and you might be safer. Key word is safer. There are some situations where you need to maintain control to avoid an accident. I have done fine without abs even with a boat for a car. (1989 Crown Victoria LTD)

Today while trying to avoid Friday afternoon traffic, I used the backway to get home.

In this one area there is a total of three stop signs, all very close, you need to make a right, left, right, and the third is a blind stop. It's an upscale Atlanta 'hood. I've been this way many times, aware of the time of day, I'm aware that their will be kids.

I had just pulled away from the third stop sign, when this ped has the balls to yell "slow down". I'm looking forward, and here's what I see:

The ped is out for his afternoon walk with the missus, who is pushing a double stroller, (looked like 18 month twins, (she appeared to have a slightly "glowing" look to her as well), his daughter, maybe 4 or 5 trying to hang on to the leash of a very large yellow lab, which is in the process of pulling said daughter all over the place.

I hadn't hit 10 mph, I brake for his daughter, and move on, only to have this @sshole start screaming at me. So, I turn around shut down the bike, take my helmet off and point blank ask him what his issue is.

After he rants and raves and complains about my "speed", I reminded him that I had stopped at all three stop signs, and I was well under the posted speed limit. He then complained that I could have run over his daughter.

He didn't seem to get it when I suggested that maybe he's the one that needs to slow down, and supervise his daughters efforts in controlling the dog.

........well, as usual. there is 4 pages before I get to it........but it just reminds me WHY I always run with my highway lights on. During the daytime, I also always have my bright beam on...some of these blasted cars can't see sh*t beyond their nose. Ya really have to ride "defensively" on the roads. Guess that's also why you'll find my on those back country roads any chance I can..........

Ride Safe Brothers&Sisters :tour

Hey Hows things?

No I was a good distance back behind the truck in front of me, the problem is these fokes see the big truck turning and they just pull out, well it is a very wide entersection and if they don't get the lead out of there pants I am rite there getting ready to introduce myself.

Have a good one

I had two near misses yesterday...one in the morning and one in the evening...

The first one happened as I was heading in to the underground parking garage where I work. I have to go through a tunnel that's about 150 feet long. At the end of the tunnel, where it connects to the main garage, is a ramp where cars come down from the next level up. They are coming from my left and they have a big mirror to use so they can see vehicles coming through the tunnel.

I usually have no problems with vehicles yeilding the right of way but, yesterday was an exception. I was behind a pick-up, maybe half the length of the tunnel. There was a car that was stopped on the ramp. The truck goes by and I expect the car to go ahead and proceed...she didn't though. She just sat there.

Well, just as I get to the spot where the tunnel and the ramp meet, this dingbat just takes off and turns left in front of me! :yikes

Thankfully, I was going pretty slow already due to the fact that there's a speed bump that I have to go over as I exit the tunnel. We were literally inches apart! I blipped the throttle (quicker that finding the horn button) a couple of times to register my displeasure with her choice!

I then noticed she had her drivers side window down. I pulled to the left of her (still behind her) and shouted as loud as I could "Hey! Didn't you see me? Of course not! You need to pay more attention!".

She probably told all of her co-workers that an outlaw biker threatened her in the parking garage! :shhhh

The second near miss was when I was in the left of two right-turn lanes, turning right. There was a car in the right turn lane beside me. As we are turning right, this dufuss just wanders on over into my lane! I got lucky again simply because I wasn't directly beside him since I was on the outside of the turn. I was also going slow due to the fact that the road surface is really rought there and I just hit the brakes and moved left in my lane.

The car had two couples in it and they were all yucking it up. Two of them were on cell phones (not the driver) and they were all just laughing and having a good time. Well, at least until I pulled up beside them at the next light! :madtwo

I motioned for the girl in the front pasenger seat to roll her window down, which she did...still laughing. I asked her if the driver knew he'd almost crashed into me when he cut me off at the last turn...she got this confused look on her face and looked at the driver and said something to him. He leaned down a bit to make eye contact with me and I asked him the same question.

He just sort of shrugged his shoulders and replied weakly "No". I told him he should pay more attention to what he's doing behind the wheel and stop yucking it up, before he hurts or kills somebody!

He muttered a half hearted "I'm sorry about that, man", with a smirk on his face! I then said "Yeah, I can see that..."!

I just don't get the lack of seriousness that some drivers have when it comes to fact that they drive like total idiots.

Many of them have no clue nor the balls to ride a motorcycle. I would like to grab a cager and put her or him on a motorcycle on the 405 FWY in LA at about 4:30 pm and then see what thier attitude is afterwards that is if they survived?

F-cking A! I feel ya compadre.

:smoke

Many of them have no clue nor the balls to ride a motorcycle. I would like to grab a cager and put her or him on a motorcycle on the 405 FWY in LA at about 4:30 pm and then see what thier attitude is afterwards that is if they survived?

F-cking A! I feel ya compadre.

:smoke

I have to say, I'm dismayed by drivers who don't pay attention like they should, but they can be safely avoided in MOST cases if I'M paying attention....after all, no one's more responsible for my safety than me.....I don't really CARE about fault if I'm dead.... ;)

Its the downright DANGEROUS and/or aggressive types that make me want to carry weapons... :)

I didn't ride at all in 2004, because of two near misses late 2003 on the same day, about an hour apart. The first one some D.C. on her cell phone with her left foot on the dashboard, blows a stop sign and has the nerve to flip me off,when I almost hit her door. After calming down, and deciding to head home a carload of pink haired inbreads turns left into a 7-11 right in front of me (more flat spots on the tires) It has taken a year to get the balls up to try again...

I will tell you what sucks about cell phones........Now, they take pictures!! I have quite a list of punched and bitch slapped cagers over the years that have tried to kill me with their blind ignorance. Now, I have to behave because they whip that damn camera up to take your snapshot while you crack em.

Last year I am Driving to work and I see a Chevy Van conversion driving erraticly behind me in the next lane. As it goes weaving past me I see it is a Spanish looking dude in a cowboy hat. Hes tanked and not doing a very good job of faking sobriety. Next stoplight he slams into the backend of a stopped Chevy suburban. He was doing at least 40 and never even tried to slow.

I pull up on his left and get out of the car and go around the front of my car. I can see the driver of the suburban is ok, she is on the Cell already. I look up at the Cowboy and this moron is trying to pull out between the suburban and my car to escape. Not to mention my body is in the way as well. I yell "HEY" as loud as I can and he hits his brakes. I ripped open the drivers door and reached in and slammed the gear selector in park and took his keys. This dumb SOB is grabbing at me and trying to struggle with me. Then he made the mistake of trying to punch me. Wrong! I grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him out and on his face in one quick move. Game over.

Now, the dude behind him in traffic had noticed the guys driving too and had already called 911 to tell em about his driving. He had one of those Cells that shoots the little movies. He got everything I did on video. When I realized what he was doing I got a little pissed at him. He's like no,no. Calm down dude. You did great man. You didn't do anything wrong. I did not feel too good when the Man pulled up. Pre cell days I would have been long gone. I went through So much BS with the cops even with the Video, I had to answer all kinds of questions and go in to the station to talk with detectives. Then they were telling me this dudes family was talkin law suit because I busted his teeth a little on the pavement.

In the end the Cowboy was Illegal and never showed for any appearances after he bonded out. I was a tad anal over this for a while.

Moral of the story? I guess from now on, if it dont involve me or family or another Biker. I am keeping to myself. I hope they ban cell phones!!

I hope they ban cell phones!!

Afaik, In some states it's illegal to talk on a cell while driving....New York is one, I think?.....but I'm with you. They should be illegal to use while driving - in any state!

I didn't ride at all in 2004, because of two near misses late 2003 on the same day, about an hour apart. The first one some D.C. on her cell phone with her left foot on the dashboard, blows a stop sign and has the nerve to flip me off,when I almost hit her door. After calming down, and deciding to head home a carload of pink haired inbreads turns left into a 7-11 right in front of me (more flat spots on the tires) It has taken a year to get the balls up to try again...

Sounds like Terrible Haute to me :laugh . It is getting bad out there. I just try to stick to the seldom used backroads. But even those are starting to get busy.

Afaik, In some states it's illegal to talk on a cell while driving....New York is one, I think?.....but I'm with you. They should be illegal to use while driving - in any state!

I guess I'm too much of a Libertarian :D ...I don't think talking on a cell phone while driving should be banned.

I seen/ridden with many people over the years that did stupid stuff while on the cell phone and driving. These same people are not only bad drivers while on the phone, there're bad drivers when they change CD's, put on make-up, etc... AND, most of them are still bad drivers even when they aren't doing other things along with driving!

I've observed the same thing with elderly drivers. Most of the ones that are bad drivers now were bad drivers back when they were younger, too!

Hey confused, it was not terrible haute... but valparainandsnow, another college town with rich kids