General Discussion

iscooterliberally

(3,157 posts)

31. Rec from a former motorcyclist.

Thu Aug 28, 2014, 02:32 PM

Aug 2014

I have my bike up for sale. About 6 years ago someone on a cell phone made a right on red right in front of me as I was doing about 50mph. I tried to swerve to avoid them, but my front tire washed out in a grease spot and I hit the pavement hard. I spent about a week in the hospital and 7 weeks out of work. I crushed my right elbow, broke the bone in my left hand that goes between the wrist and thumb. I broke my right collar bone, and blew out my left knee. I was basically slammed to the pavement at about 35-40mph. The person who ran the red light got away and no one including myself got their tag number. The first person to stop was a doctor and he waited with me for the ambulance. When I drive I use my phone as a GPS device. I don't answer texts or calls. Everyone can wait. I had to have ACL surgery on my left knee, and my bones still hurt even after all this time. Thank you for your post. This cannot be stated enough.

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FFS! Stop texting and driving! [View all] Glassunion Aug 2014 OP

Rec, from a motorcyclist n/t IDemo Aug 2014 #1

+1 Enthusiast Aug 2014 #63

It's OK if you're in the fast lane and keep 23 car lengths back from the car ahead. NYC_SKP Aug 2014 #2

In my experience, keeping 23 car lengths between you & the car in front of you... Orrex Aug 2014 #46

That's what it's like where I am. Even in the winter on glare ice. nt laundry_queen Aug 2014 #89

I used to see truckers with newspapers open on the steering wheel from Fort Collins to Cheyenne, WY hlthe2b Aug 2014 #56

I saw a guy reading a magazine on top of the steering wheel cruising along LiberalElite Aug 2014 #88

I saw a lady trying to They_Live Aug 2014 #97

I once saw someone with a book open on his steering wheel-- tblue37 Aug 2014 #117

I saw a bus driver in down town St. Paul Minnesota Kalidurga Aug 2014 #119

Rec!!! Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #3

R1200 RT-P? IDemo Aug 2014 #27

No. I'm currently on a Hardly Ableson FLHP Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #33

I've been on a Kaw. VN900 Classic for 3 years IDemo Aug 2014 #36

Friend of mine rides the same bike. Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #41

I've been saving for a GoPro to mount to the bike. Glassunion Aug 2014 #70

Check out the Ion Air Pro and the contour line as well. Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #72

Florida Turnpike in one of the fast lines... idiot gets call, slows to 55 ... WTF JCMach1 Aug 2014 #4

Back in the 90's I used to see people reading books on the interstate underpants Aug 2014 #40

W W W_H H H H _Y Y Y YY? Sheepshank Aug 2014 #62

Maybe that book wasn't on tape yet underpants Aug 2014 #68

I saw someone doing it in downtown Orlando a number of years ago JCMach1 Aug 2014 #155

Just a note on motorcycles nykym Aug 2014 #5

Lane splitting is legal. tridim Aug 2014 #7

While lane splitting is legal in many states, Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #11

Agreed, I would never do it. Too risky. tridim Aug 2014 #16

I Will Split Lanes ProgressiveJarhead Aug 2014 #26

Under most normal use cases, it's safer. Regrell Aug 2014 #101

According to every motorcycle safety group that I am aware of Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #139

Lane splitting is not legal in most states whopis01 Aug 2014 #137

In 2 states and most of the rest of the world they most certainly are. Glassunion Aug 2014 #8

I find that the vast majority of drivers are attentive and courteous.. frylock Aug 2014 #23

You must drive in a very different part of the world Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #38

Agreed...I spend about an hour every day on the 15 MindPilot Aug 2014 #58

it's legal in California for me to split lanes.. frylock Aug 2014 #21

Unless you're a cop. Gormy Cuss Aug 2014 #25

Dash cam Glassunion Aug 2014 #47

It turns out that the trooper did not lose his job.... xocet Aug 2014 #82

Figures. Glassunion Aug 2014 #83

Lane sharing in Los Angeles almost ScreamingMeemie Aug 2014 #52

it can be dangerous, but i'd rather take my chances splitting lanes.. frylock Aug 2014 #73

+1. Glassunion Aug 2014 #79

Like this? tblue37 Aug 2014 #118

the arrogance of these assholes is astounding Skittles Aug 2014 #6

Hit the nail loyalsister Aug 2014 #13

But it's just a quick message....It won't take lo.....Ooops. jeff47 Aug 2014 #9

Yeah but think of the drivers behind you at the end of the line Tommymac Aug 2014 #135

My point is the red is long enough to do that and still not have the light change. jeff47 Aug 2014 #147

This long-time motorcyclist agrees. raven mad Aug 2014 #10

Every single accident myself or a family member was in Aerows Aug 2014 #12

Please add to that list people who drive with their dogs in their lap. Lilyhoney Aug 2014 #14

My daughter and I saw someone doing 65mph+ on the highway while looking down, texting away. Nye Bevan Aug 2014 #15

Yeah, but have you ever seen someone curling their eyebrows at 55 mph? louis-t Aug 2014 #54

How about putting in eyedrops? MindPilot Aug 2014 #60

My favorite xxqqqzme Aug 2014 #64

How do you.... louis-t Aug 2014 #65

My occasional use of sign language usually only requires one hand. Glassunion Aug 2014 #71

From what I usually see on the road it only takes one hand to sign. whopis01 Aug 2014 #138

An episode of Fraser where station manager gets finger bit off louis-t Aug 2014 #149

K/R moondust Aug 2014 #17

I was in a bad accident 5 days before Christmas last year - hedgehog Aug 2014 #18

I drive the turnpike often Tree-Hugger Aug 2014 #19

I have seen people: IDemo Aug 2014 #39

I've seen those, too Tree-Hugger Aug 2014 #104

This message cannot be said enough! logosoco Aug 2014 #20

A similar one recently: marions ghost Aug 2014 #81

Those selfies and that post were so banal--certainly not important tblue37 Aug 2014 #120

Also the perception is that driving is boring marions ghost Aug 2014 #141

K & R In_The_Wind Aug 2014 #22

Agreed. Hong Kong Cavalier Aug 2014 #24

That needs to be the norm marions ghost Aug 2014 #76

I'd like to think so. Hong Kong Cavalier Aug 2014 #84

I could really use an app like that. I listen to lots of music and podcasts in the car. I'll try Stardust Aug 2014 #126

The iOS app is called Flux Tunes. Hong Kong Cavalier Aug 2014 #127

Got it!Thank you so much! Stardust Aug 2014 #131

Thx for the tip marions ghost Aug 2014 #140

Boy does that ever need to be the norm n/t truedelphi Aug 2014 #87

Yes, I take my life in my hands 4 times a day driving across an university sinkingfeeling Aug 2014 #28

I drive truck for a living. CANDO Aug 2014 #29

We drive a truck a lot for work... Glassunion Aug 2014 #48

I tuck my leg up when driving automatic cars, because otherwise my leg is looking for the clutch. bettyellen Aug 2014 #148

Motorcycles should come equipped with train horns. kentauros Aug 2014 #30

Motorcycle horns are notoriously anemic IDemo Aug 2014 #42

139 db! kentauros Aug 2014 #43

Just bookmarked this site. raven mad Aug 2014 #121

Rec from a former motorcyclist. iscooterliberally Aug 2014 #31

First thing I do when I get in the care is MineralMan Aug 2014 #32

Huge Rec from a bicyclist! While I was commuting in a progressive small city last year I would pass adirondacker Aug 2014 #34

Bicycles have it worse in some cases. Glassunion Aug 2014 #51

I've gotten to the point where I can recognize texting or phone use by the movement of the vehicle. L0oniX Aug 2014 #35

The "suddenly veering across 2 or 3 lanes to get to an exit ramp" kentauros Aug 2014 #45

Agreed... PA drivers are really bad with that. Glassunion Aug 2014 #53

And there's probably nothing that will cure them of that habit. kentauros Aug 2014 #93

Drivers who indulge in these kinds of bad habits... love_katz Aug 2014 #98

True. kentauros Aug 2014 #99

The police in my state did a sting, about a year or so ago, on people talking/texting while driving. love_katz Aug 2014 #103

Some are certainly egotists. kentauros Aug 2014 #108

There is a divide in terms of people who grew up with cell phones. love_katz Aug 2014 #111

I agree with you about that divide. kentauros Aug 2014 #112

Good analysis. love_katz Aug 2014 #129

Thanks :) kentauros Aug 2014 #133

Actually, I think most Americans would take this driving/racing show in the wrong spirit. love_katz Aug 2014 #150

On a trip to Ireland / UK I was astounded by how narrow the streets were. Glassunion Aug 2014 #151

Streets designed for the horse and buggy days. love_katz Aug 2014 #152

Nice little road in the SW of Ireland. Glassunion Aug 2014 #153

Pic is too dark for me to see the road itself. love_katz Aug 2014 #154

You're right that most Americans would misinterpret kentauros Aug 2014 #157

I've read articles about research that shows cell phone addiction tblue37 Aug 2014 #122

I can believe that. kentauros Aug 2014 #123

I've seen enough of em pass me on the left while on the phone and then swing right across 3 lanes... L0oniX Aug 2014 #61

I don't doubt that it happens with people on the phone, kentauros Aug 2014 #92

But I needed to tell DU if I was leaving or staying underpants Aug 2014 #37

!!! NYC_SKP Aug 2014 #49

In Ontario.. Canada the new law will be riverbendviewgal Aug 2014 #44

southbound from LA I saw a woman. practicing the trumpet. looking down at the sheet music on her MisterP Aug 2014 #50

A woman in my group was not so lucky, she was hit from behind waiting at red light, horrific, 6 AuntPatsy Aug 2014 #55

Ha, I am driving now as I type this--AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH--OMG what have I done? Vattel Aug 2014 #57

I have this friend... DeadLetterOffice Aug 2014 #59

K&R love_katz Aug 2014 #66

The assholes that piss me off the most are the ones that get on bullwinkle428 Aug 2014 #67

Agreed. This happens all the time. 3catwoman3 Aug 2014 #96

This happened at my son's school Tree-Hugger Aug 2014 #105

I see them while I'm on a bicycle. bikebloke Aug 2014 #69

Lining the highways with cell towers is like putting a bar at every stoplight KurtNYC Aug 2014 #74

Stop texting and walking too! I can't take it anymore! Glimmer of Hope Aug 2014 #75

+100 840high Aug 2014 #78

I agree Art_from_Ark Aug 2014 #85

I have seen... Tree-Hugger Aug 2014 #107

Carry a tennis, raquetball, or badminton raquet. kentauros Aug 2014 #109

Lol! It is a serious and dangerous problem though. I work in the busiest part of DC- Glimmer of Hope Aug 2014 #134

Oh, I understand it's serious and dangerous. kentauros Aug 2014 #136

its a plague everywhere drray23 Aug 2014 #77

Good and needed rant flamingdem Aug 2014 #80

I think you could leave it at: "the brainless are out of control" kentauros Aug 2014 #110

I expect this now...about one in 8 to 10... Stuart G Aug 2014 #86

Actually surveys show that 3 in 10 text while they drive and 1 in 2 talk on the phone. Glassunion Aug 2014 #90

Truly awful.. Stuart G Aug 2014 #91

I once had a card game with a passenger while driving Reter Aug 2014 #95

Before cell-phones kentauros Aug 2014 #113

Attention texting drivers The Wizard Aug 2014 #94

This message was self-deleted by its author A-Schwarzenegger Aug 2014 #100

I saw that earlier. kentauros Aug 2014 #114

This message was self-deleted by its author A-Schwarzenegger Aug 2014 #115

I just looked more closely at your link, and read that. kentauros Aug 2014 #116

I'd like to see a wire run down the median that blocks cell signals. Thor_MN Aug 2014 #102

There is some phone jamming/disabling tech available. moondust Aug 2014 #125

Not to mention being illegal. Thor_MN Aug 2014 #128

There was a guy in Florida busted for using a Jammer in his car n2doc Aug 2014 #142

Read about that. Thor_MN Aug 2014 #143

He deserves a medal. Glassunion Aug 2014 #144

Everyday on La Cienege at around 7:30 am abelenkpe Aug 2014 #106

Combine our limited (and quite narrow and twisty) roads up here - raven mad Aug 2014 #124

Agreed. If you text at a stop light or stop sign, that could lead to road rage. C Moon Aug 2014 #130

"Dont let LOL become DOA." ErikJ Aug 2014 #132

Saw this just yesterday .. madmom Aug 2014 #145

You are 100% correct. Glassunion Aug 2014 #146

There are reports of people walking off cliffs, bridges and piers. cbayer Aug 2014 #156

This was in a college town, so I'm guessing students, at least that age group for madmom Aug 2014 #158

In a busy city, you have to constantly dodge people, and when they cbayer Aug 2014 #159