Topic: Be careful out on the road

[scottly]

It's getting dangerous out there, folks, worse than ever before, at least it seems to me.

[RAFster122s]

Wow, hope they bury the offender in charges! Felony guaranteed because of injury and fleeing the scene.
I hope the officer's injuries aren't anything that won't heal after rehab and physical therapy... Let's hope it doesn't end his riding...

[Alan F.]

I swore off left turns years ago. Ouch.

[RAFster122s]

Motorcycle Officer wasn't turning, car did a turn into his path without stopping...
Don't think the officer had time to even get on the brakes very much given the timing and he was going at a very good clip given how much the SUV/Van rocked after he hit.

[Alan F.]

Yes I agree the car was turning left. I'm not taking sides or pulling politics when we've got a motorcyclist down, that's a non-starter.

I've been in left turn accidents while wearing/protected by a car or minivan.
Left turns in the States or Right turns elsewhere in the world are silent killers. I'm ok, now but turning in front of oncoming traffic has to be taught MUCH MUCH BETTER as a do-not-do.

[PeWe]

We motorcyclists must be allert and read the traffic. If  cars or others can do a left turn or not stop at connecting road, they probably will.
Very important to  slow down and go further away sideways to get a little more time.

There are specific type of car drivers around here I have learned that do not drive the car, they are passengers behind the wheel which I have mentioned before.
Not the very old men.....

The police should stop and give tickets to everyone not using the blinker when making a turn.

If that car driver should have used the blinker, the rider should have seen in time.

I usually avoid passing slower going traffic if there is a connecting road close ahead. The car in front of me can suddenly make a quick slow down and make a left turn.
Very common way to harm motorcyclists.

Lots of more people on the roads today that are dangerous for others than I saw in the 80's.

[Alan F.]

Well said. Thank you.

[grcamna2]

We motorcyklists must be allert and read the traffic. If  cars or others can do a left turn or not stop at connecting road, they probably will.
Very important to  slow down and go further away sideways to get a little more time.

There are specific type of car drivers around here I have learned that do not drive the car, they are passengers behind the wheel which I have mentioned before.
Not the very old men.....

The police should stop and give tickets to everyone not using the blinker when making a turn.

If that car driver should have used the blinker, the rider should have seen in time.

I usually avoid passing slower going traffic if there is a connecting road close ahead. The car in front of me can suddenly make a quick slow down and make a left turn.
Very common way to harm motorcyklists.

Lots of more people on the roads today that are dangerous for others than I saw in the 80's.

Thank you PeWe,I agree.
I need to continue to remember what member here 'scottly's signature says.

[BomberMann650]

The speed limit on phoenix city streets is pretty high. 50mph +/- depending on how many lanes and stoplights there are.
Made no sense to me as an outsider at first.  Driving past schools at 40, through shopping centers at 55.  Sometimes racing to keep pace at 65 in commerical districts.  Arizona speed limits must be optimized to keep cars with tiny radiators from overheating.

Failing to yield in a left turn lane, thats on the driver.  Getting plowed into and deciding to dip.  Doesn't surprise me one bit.  There are people in that city who just don't want to be known.  Leaving the scene of an accident is one of the lesser crimes they'd commit in order to stay off the radar. 
Then again, I'm only speculating.  There are some people who simply don't know what to do in these situations and just don't wanna face reality.  The executive part of the brain shuts off and instinct says "loud noises!  go hide!"

Either way, it sucks the motor cop broke his legs getting catapulted like that.  Motorcycle crash safety remains an oxymoron.  But iihs investigates it anyway.  Turns out, handlebars have a nasty habit of preventing the rider from exiting the forward section of the vehicle.  Thankfully, it wasn't a goldwing.  There's a reason those come with airbags now.