Motorcycle crash leaves one dead, another critically hurt

I find this happening alot where I live too.. Motorcyclists are not watching what is going on around them. They need to be more alert and focused. We have enough problems watching all the other idiots that are out there on the road, we shouldn't have to watch them too. Do they think that because they are on a motorcycle that we should be paying extra attention to them? We have our own driving to do.

They like to wear the stickers about "Start Seeing Motorcycles," but they don't seem to be able to see cars. I've seen a lot of close calls with motorcycles zipping in between cars.

LJB wrote:

I find this happening alot where I live too.. Motorcyclists are not watching what is going on around them. They need to be more alert and focused. We have enough problems watching all the other idiots that are out there on the road, we shouldn't have to watch them too. Do they think that because they are on a motorcycle that we should be paying extra attention to them? We have our own driving to do.

...and phoning, and texting, and applying makeup.

Unfortunetly it is the cars that do not pay attention. I am a rider, and there have been at least 3 incidents where, I have made eye contact with a driver - and they proceed to pull out in front of me causing me to hit my brakes and nearly laying my bike down. Bikes are hard to see, I will agree with that, but car drivers need to pay more attention. They need to get off of their cell phones etc. and drive. I sounds like in this case the motorcyclist was not paying attention, however, more times than not, the car drivers do not see motorcycles.

Princess wrote:

They like to wear the stickers about "Start Seeing Motorcycles," but they don't seem to be able to see cars. I've seen a lot of close calls with motorcycles zipping in between cars.

Alertness, is a two way street. But automobile drivers are by far more complacent and inattentive.
Need proof?
What percentage of motorcyclists do you see texting, conversing on the phone, eating, drinking, etc in relation to automobile drivers?

I ride also, and I wonder if it is possible that she turned in front of him and he went to the right to avoid her, thinking she would turn into the closest lane like she's supposed to. I have had that happen countless times. You expect someone to take the closest line, but they decide to pick whatever lane midturn.
And while I'm at it, you cage drivers throwing lit cigarettes out the window is also not appreciated.

Open eyes wrote:

Unfortunetly it is the cars that do not pay attention. I am a rider, and there have been at least 3 incidents where, I have made eye contact with a driver - and they proceed to pull out in front of me causing me to hit my brakes and nearly laying my bike down. Bikes are hard to see, I will agree with that, but car drivers need to pay more attention. They need to get off of their cell phones etc. and drive. I sounds like in this case the motorcyclist was not paying attention, however, more times than not, the car drivers do not see motorcycles.

Why do you say the motorcyclist wasn't paying attention? He was on 212, the SUV was turning onto 212. Who has right of way? I would think the person on the road, not the person turning onto the road.

LJB wrote:

I find this happening alot where I live too.. Motorcyclists are not watching what is going on around them. They need to be more alert and focused. We have enough problems watching all the other idiots that are out there on the road, we shouldn't have to watch them too. Do they think that because they are on a motorcycle that we should be paying extra attention to them? We have our own driving to do.

You couldn't be more wrong. Motorcyclists are usually hyper-attententive because we have to be.
The people in the cars driving on autopilot are the ones that in most cases cause these accidents.

If you think about how the two vehicles were traveling in this case it is clear that the Jeep pulled out in front of the motorcycle, plain and simple. The fact the the mototcyclist was switching lanes is irrelevant to the story.

LJB wrote:

I find this happening alot where I live too.. Motorcyclists are not watching what is going on around them. They need to be more alert and focused. We have enough problems watching all the other idiots that are out there on the road, we shouldn't have to watch them too. Do they think that because they are on a motorcycle that we should be paying extra attention to them? We have our own driving to do.

Hey fellow bikers... This idiot motorist (God help us all) is exactly why we need to ride defensively. Assume every motorist is as stupid as this poster. Ride like no one sees you. Eye contact is no guarentee that someone is paying attention. Watch the front wheels of stopped cars. If they begin to roll, they are going to go. Remember, or learn, SIPDE. Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute.

Sick and tired wrote:

I ride also, and I wonder if it is possible that she turned in front of him and he went to the right to avoid her, thinking she would turn into the closest lane like she's supposed to. I have had that happen countless times. You expect someone to take the closest line, but they decide to pick whatever lane midturn.
And while I'm at it, you cage drivers throwing lit cigarettes out the window is also not appreciated.

The motorcycle was traveling East, the driver was turning West and was struck in the driver's door. Sounds like the motorcycle was trying to avoid an accident by going around behind the vehicle that pulled in front of him.

The motorcycle had the right of way. Plain and simple
The Jeep is at fault, attentive or not.
So sad.......
It cost him his life, and possibly hers.

Steve wrote:

<quoted text>
The motorcycle was traveling East, the driver was turning West and was struck in the driver's door. Sounds like the motorcycle was trying to avoid an accident by going around behind the vehicle that pulled in front of him.

Ah, guess I missed that part. Either way, if she pulled out in front of him close enough to be hit by him, she is still at fault.

It is amazing how many things people are doing out there instead of watching the road. I was riding as a passenger one time, and found that at least 60% of drivers were either talking on the phone, texting, reading, putting on makeup or a number of other things other than driving. These are the most likely to cut you off in a lane or turn in front of you.

LJB wrote:

I find this happening alot where I live too.. Motorcyclists are not watching what is going on around them. They need to be more alert and focused. We have enough problems watching all the other idiots that are out there on the road, we shouldn't have to watch them too. Do they think that because they are on a motorcycle that we should be paying extra attention to them? We have our own driving to do.

Even though everyone needs to be paying attention, in this case it seems it's as if it's the Auto drivers fault. I live in this area and any vehicle(bike, car, truck, etc..) that is traveling on 212 has the right of way at this intersection. There is no light at this spot, and it seems the driver of the Jeep pulled out in front of the motorcycle to cross the eastbound lanes to get to the westbound lanes. I've seen it plenty of times where cars almost get t-boned by other cars because people don't pay attention crossing 212 at this intersection.

I think I will keep my SUV-it is safe

We ride too, and I notice ALL the things motorists are doing while they are driving, texting, smacking kids in the back seat, and countless other things. You have got to drive defensively on a motorcycle, people just don't look, and bikes can be hard to see. State patrol said neither had a helmet on, but in reality, would a helmet even have saved him?? probably not.....most accidents involving motorcycles are fatal, helmet or not. 5000+ lbs vs less than 1000 usually ends badly. I sure hope the wife is going to be ok.

PS, I am refering to resposible riders such as most of the posters on here...It isn't always the car driver....it's the motorcycle riders recklesness as well.

Yeah, especially now that so many people are buying bikes to save gas and thinking they don't need to take the course. I tell everyone who is thinking of buying a bike to take the permit test, schedule for the class, THEN buy the bike. I took the course, passed it, then took it again the next year since I had taken it so late in the previous year and wanted to make sure I remembered everything. I also wear my helmet, which is my choice as much as it is for those who choose not to. You have to respect the power of that machine and what it can do at all times. So many times what I learned in the class, and the instinct that builds from being alert at all times has literally saved my behind.

At least- the auto driver should go to jail. I wager the AMA will see it is so.
The police report should be very interesting- I wonder if a ticket was issued.
The American Motorcycle Association sells a sticker. "KILL A BIKER- GO TO JAIL"
My dues pay for lawyers to watch this stuff.

If you don't want to be killed, stop riding a motorcyle. I rode a Motorcycle for one season and decided to give it up completely. You can be as carefull as you want but that does not mean others are going to be the same way. Give it up and buy a convertable instead

People drive like crap it, is as simple as that.Some of these people should not be issued a license, much less own a car.