May is “Motorcycle Awareness Month” and there are other
campaigns out there that attempt to “convince” drivers to watch out for those
of us who chose to ride “naked and exposed” on our motorcycles. They have and will continue to FAIL and
here’s why.
The idea that motorcyclists “share” the road with cars is
ridiculous. Drivers have little
intention of sharing the road with anyone but other cars and even that’s a
stretch. Drivers are fine with us
being on the road as long as we stay the hell out of their path.
In reality the typical driver gives little if any thought to
the motorcyclist and why should they?
The typical driver rarely encounters a motorcycle and the sad truth is
he or she is more likely watching for a deer or a dog running in front of them.
Lets look at the car itself. The average car is loaded with distractions to keep the
driver occupied from the mundane task of watching the road and guiding the
car. They have individual climate
control, cruse control, seat heating, satellite radio, CD, MP3, ipod, GPS
guidance and personal theater systems that the driver can control. Let’s not forget cruise control. On top of all the gadgets, the driver will
likely be talking, texting or accessing the Internet while fiddling with the gadgets in the car. This
gives the driver little time to look out the window, use turn signals or watch
out for motorcycles. Sure, there are laws against distracted driving, including stiff fines for talking or texting while driving, however most people still do it and it's only when tragedy strikes that the laws come into play.
There is a continual push to educate drivers and have them
see and avoid hitting us and yet motorcyclists are still being hit. I’m all for making it safer for me to
ride the highways and byways built for cars; however educating drivers to watch
for us will do little. There are
too many of them to educate and most already think they’re the best driver on
the road.
A car and a motorcycle meeting at the same time in the same
space, cause the greatest number of accidents involving motorcycles. The numbers tell us it’s usually the
car that’s in the wrong, with the car either turning in front of the oncoming
motorcycle or failing to yield at an intersection.
Motorcyclists are also at fault for accidents with other
cars, usually due to having the attitude that drivers will and must watch out
for them.
This mindset is
dangerous and often fatal.
While
driving the family car I’ve had motorcyclists suddenly come into my lane,
inches from the bumper, without so much as a signal or a look.
My wife took this picture because she loved the color and look of this Moto Guzzi that was merging onto the highway. Right after the photo was taken the rider made an abrupt maneuver to the left in front of my car without so much as a look. Fortunately for him I was slowing down to give him space and even though he still had more room in the merge lane, he cut over.
The sad and scary statistic is in many of the accidents that occur, the
driver of the car or the rider of the motorcycle was under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
This should be
sobering and if it isn’t, well… it should be!
Yes there are laws that tell people not to operate a car or
motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, like there are laws
in most areas that tell people not to text, talk or access the web on a device
while driving. Those laws have
FAILED! Why? Because people think they’re safe by doing those
things and they also realize that there are too few police to enforce the laws. No one is more shocked
then the driver when they do cause an accident.
Thousands die each year as a result of driving under the
influence and / or being distracted and people still don’t get it!
Here’s how I see it.
I’m in the best position to keep ME safe on the road and I would rather
improve my riding, observation and avoidance skills then rely on the education
of the car driver. By riding clean
and sober I improve my chances of staying safe and alive significantly. Other riders have the same choice and
power. This alone will reduce the number of accidents involving
motorcycles.
Remember any
“interaction” between a car and motorcycle will end badly for the rider of the
motorcycle, regardless of who’s at fault.
It’s me against them and I’m going to win!
Ride sober, ride aware and practice how to avoid a collision with a car. That's the only sure way to be safe on the roads.
Gerald Trees
Dream Your Ride
