That’s exactly what happened to me. A pickup backed out into my path on a clear day with no obstructions and no other traffic. My helmet saved my life. Train all you want, drivers just don’t see motorcycles. Most drivers need training in all areas of driving based on my observations these days. The roads are a dangerous place and if I was still a rider my helmet would be the best one I could find.
I’d like to see a study showing who is at fault in these accidents. From all the articles I read the majority of the fault lies withe the vehicle driver & not the bike rider. Shouldn’t vehicle drivers require additional training too?
Attempting to solve this phenomenon through more driver training simply won’t work. Driving a donorcycle will always be more dangerous and pose more of a risk than a conventional vehicle that is larger and offers more protection. Donorcycles are more difficult to see; they maneuver quicker than an automobile; giving the automobile drive less time to react. They offer absolutely no protection in a collision from either impact or ejection. It would be helpful to know what % of deaths might have been prevented simply by wearing a helmet. My guess is not many. Donorcycle riders can wish all they want, but they need to understand that a cycle is not an equal to a conventional vehicle on the highway when it comes to surviving a collision.
I bet they didn’t take into consideration the percentage of the population growth, which could make a difference in the up or down actual number of motorcycle deaths, based on the ratio of riders then & now…
Inexperienced & well experienced riders can find themselves in a bad situation, but the experienced will have the edge when reasoning out a viable solution to avoiding an accident, whereas a rider with little experience may not think quickly enough to take evasive actions.
Training is all good & well, but until a rider has had the opportunity to encounter some things, their reactions may vary quite a bit, experienced or not…
But for anyone that doesn’t wear a helmet, be sure to do your family a favor & buy lots of accident & life insurance… money might not bring you back but it will help cover the costs of the funeral you are rushing!
And who is at fault matters how Virginia? Regardless of fault your head is the one splattered on the pavement. Training is great, but accidents happen and protection should be worn. Too bad so many of the bugs in the teeth crowd can’t recognize the importance of helmets. Natural selection I suppose.
My point is, media slants the stroy to make it sound like all motorcycle accidents are the fault of the rider and not the driver of the car involved. Very rarely do you hear that Car Driver failed to yeild the left turn they were making and broadsided a motorcycle rider operating their vehicle properly.
I too would like to see how the increase in accidents coresponds with the increase in population.
Studies show : murdercycles have no Horizontal mass and are, therefore, immune to visablity when travelling at right angles to an auto – unless – they have some sort of device which creates movement or ‘flutter’ to draw the eye (which is why ‘bike flags’ work. So auto willcontinue to pull out in front of m/cs and drivers will continue to stay ” I just didn’t see him/her/it”
According to the US Census Bureau, South Carolina’s population has been growing at less than 1% annually. The rate of motorcycle fatalities has increased at 13% annually for the years the article mentioned.
Good to know… but of the MC deaths, were they all residents of South Carolina or just visiting for say possibly one of the week long biker rallies?
I had family travel to Myrtle Beach in 2007 for Bike Week & there were many folks there that came from all over. There were many accidents that did not even involve an automobile, but was the rider who was intoxicated or tired from the ride…
Anyway though, it’s still a good idea to wear a helmet, but I can understand the riders right to choose too…
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That’s exactly what happened to me. A pickup backed out into my path on a clear day with no obstructions and no other traffic. My helmet saved my life. Train all you want, drivers just don’t see motorcycles. Most drivers need training in all areas of driving based on my observations these days. The roads are a dangerous place and if I was still a rider my helmet would be the best one I could find.
I’d like to see a study showing who is at fault in these accidents. From all the articles I read the majority of the fault lies withe the vehicle driver & not the bike rider. Shouldn’t vehicle drivers require additional training too?
Attempting to solve this phenomenon through more driver training simply won’t work. Driving a donorcycle will always be more dangerous and pose more of a risk than a conventional vehicle that is larger and offers more protection. Donorcycles are more difficult to see; they maneuver quicker than an automobile; giving the automobile drive less time to react. They offer absolutely no protection in a collision from either impact or ejection. It would be helpful to know what % of deaths might have been prevented simply by wearing a helmet. My guess is not many. Donorcycle riders can wish all they want, but they need to understand that a cycle is not an equal to a conventional vehicle on the highway when it comes to surviving a collision.
I bet they didn’t take into consideration the percentage of the population growth, which could make a difference in the up or down actual number of motorcycle deaths, based on the ratio of riders then & now…
Inexperienced & well experienced riders can find themselves in a bad situation, but the experienced will have the edge when reasoning out a viable solution to avoiding an accident, whereas a rider with little experience may not think quickly enough to take evasive actions.
Training is all good & well, but until a rider has had the opportunity to encounter some things, their reactions may vary quite a bit, experienced or not…
But for anyone that doesn’t wear a helmet, be sure to do your family a favor & buy lots of accident & life insurance… money might not bring you back but it will help cover the costs of the funeral you are rushing!
And who is at fault matters how Virginia? Regardless of fault your head is the one splattered on the pavement. Training is great, but accidents happen and protection should be worn. Too bad so many of the bugs in the teeth crowd can’t recognize the importance of helmets. Natural selection I suppose.
My point is, media slants the stroy to make it sound like all motorcycle accidents are the fault of the rider and not the driver of the car involved. Very rarely do you hear that Car Driver failed to yeild the left turn they were making and broadsided a motorcycle rider operating their vehicle properly.
I too would like to see how the increase in accidents coresponds with the increase in population.
Studies show : murdercycles have no Horizontal mass and are, therefore, immune to visablity when travelling at right angles to an auto – unless – they have some sort of device which creates movement or ‘flutter’ to draw the eye (which is why ‘bike flags’ work. So auto willcontinue to pull out in front of m/cs and drivers will continue to stay ” I just didn’t see him/her/it”
According to the US Census Bureau, South Carolina’s population has been growing at less than 1% annually. The rate of motorcycle fatalities has increased at 13% annually for the years the article mentioned.
Thanks Ratemaker,
Good to know… but of the MC deaths, were they all residents of South Carolina or just visiting for say possibly one of the week long biker rallies?
I had family travel to Myrtle Beach in 2007 for Bike Week & there were many folks there that came from all over. There were many accidents that did not even involve an automobile, but was the rider who was intoxicated or tired from the ride…
Anyway though, it’s still a good idea to wear a helmet, but I can understand the riders right to choose too…