Topic: Whow!, close call with the Hot Rod

[sparty]

Rode the Hot Rod to the gym today and all was fine.  Coming home I took the long way.  Some old fart made a left turn in front of me at a stop sign and I had to make evasive maneuvers.  I saw him do a rolling stop and I was hard on the brakes by the time he was in my lane.  I nearly hit him broadside.  I had my turn signal on because I was slowing to make a left myself.  If I had planned on going straight this post would be worse.  That old fart never even looked to his right.  Ya know, there comes a time when people need to have their license pulled.  The roads are really unsafe for us riders, really unsafe!  BTW I had my high beam on, I always ride with it on during the day, but I guess it didn't help.

Sparty

[azuredesign]

Glad you're OK Art. The newspapers here have been having a field day with a number of older drivers who have caused accidents lately, and are calling for more frequent license testing and renewals for older drivers.

I've had similar experiences to yours here in Boston, but have found places like Miami much worse, as the number of older drivers in the warmer southern climes seems to be greater. My friend Jeff calls these drivers q-tips in southern FL as many times all you can see is the white top of a head trying to peer over the steering wheel.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Art,

Good to see your voice! What size underwear do you wear? I'll send a clean pack cause I know you could use them 

Jerry

[bill440cars]

Rode the Hot Rod to the gym today and all was fine.  Coming home I took the long way.  Some old fart made a left turn in front of me at a stop sign and I had to make evasive maneuvers.  I saw him do a rolling stop and I was hard on the brakes by the time he was in my lane.  I nearly hit him broadside.  I had my turn signal on because I was slowing to make a left myself.  If I had planned on going straight this post would be worse.  That old fart never even looked to his right.  Ya know, there comes a time when people need to have their license pulled.  The roads are really unsafe for us riders, really unsafe!  BTW I had my high beam on, I always ride with it on during the day, but I guess it didn't help.

Sparty

          Too bad about that close call there Sparty. But I sure am glad that it was a "Close call" and not worse, like azuredesign said. You take care now.  

[tramp]

had a old woman almost take me out
she told me "cars have the right of way"

[333]

had a old woman almost take me out
she told me "cars have the right of way"

And I have the right to get DMV to look closer at whether you can still drive, hag.

[razor02097]

had a old woman almost take me out
she told me "cars have the right of way"

you should have said "oh your right" then pull her out the car and promptly run her over 


Some people are f^&$ing idiots... others refuse to pay attention.  Both should be taken out back a dark ally and beaten once a day every day for a couple weeks to see if their driving improves.

[MRieck]

 I hit a car with an elderly driver behind the wheel (he too was taking a left hand turn). The bike hit the passenger side rear quarter panel, he stopped for a second and then proceded to drive off. Lucky for me a bystander ran after him and stopped the car. The old coot didn't know the bike hit the car if you can believe it. He later called me #$%*ing that I hadn't filed a claim and said I was at fault Funny....the insurance companies didn't quite see it that way.

[Inigo Montoya]

Have you all seen the south park episode about elderly drivers? 

[SUELZER]

i had the same incident with my Ducati, except my evasive maneuvers resulted in me pulling superman-type ejection off my moving bike instead of being a part of the T-bone. i made it, moto didn't.

I'd say once you hit 70/75 annual exams are a requirement. Same goes w/the youngsters, at least the teenagers.

but thats just my opinion 

[sangyo soichiro]

Glad you're okay sparty.



I have mixed feelings about elderly drivers - but I tend to think the ones that cause a lot of trouble were probably not good drivers when they were younger. 

I have mixed feelings because each of us will become elderly some day (barring an early death).  It would become a huge hassle for some (and their families) if they couldn't drive.  Not everyone has ready access to public transportation.  Plus, sometimes I think we get carried away with wanting to add more rules, regulations, and laws. 

I think the answer is that we just have to be extra alert. 

BTW I had my high beam on, I always ride with it on during the day, but I guess it didn't help.

On a side note, I don't think it really helps to ride with your bright light on all the time.  It really does hurt people's eyes that are on the receiving end.  Even during the day.  I think the low beam is actually easier to see because it doesn't blind the oncoming driver's eyes.



Again, glad you're okay sparty.  These close calls are good to keep us from getting complacent. 

[DammitDan]

On a side note, I don't think it really helps to ride with your bright light on all the time.  It really does hurt people's eyes that are on the receiving end.  Even during the day.  I think the low beam is actually easier to see because it doesn't blind the oncoming driver's eyes.

You've definitely got a point, but I always see it is as a, "Sorry your eyes hurt, thanks for noticing!" kinda situation.  

Did you come through the ordeal with clean panties, Art?