Close Call today. Distracted Driver.

[FredBGG]

--

 

[Dogdaze]

That was close.......
Would have made the sunroof even bigger in that shiny white X3

 

[klunsford]

Big thing is can you identify the driver?

 

[JRE]

Glad you made it though ok...I've had similar moments and it makes you pucker for sure.

I still don't have my headlight modulator working on my S10. Parts for wiring harness coming in today.

I'm not a fan of modulators, it sounds like in this case it wouldn't have mattered anyway. It's not that they don't see you, they just don't care. Modulators just tend to piss people off more as does running your hi-beams which makes it harder for others to judge how fast you are going. I know a lot people disagree but to each his own.

 

[arjayes]

People that care... take care and look. A modulator helps them see you. Correctly setup it does not annoy drivers... however keep in mind I'm in Southern California with bright sunshine nearly all year round so the relative brightness compared to the bright sunlight is not that high.

I have never had a driver complain to me about my modulating lights. I go to low beam when close to other cars. I have the angle on my lights setup correctly.

Th other day another motorcyclist came up to me and made a negative comment about my lights. I went over to his bike and asked him to turn them on. Both his high beam and low beam were set far to high....
actually more annoying than a modulator. I think many have formed their opinion around modulators due to seeing too many lights out there that are setup incorrectly.

A low beam that is to high is going to flash at a car more harshly than a modulator. A modulator dims up and down with a smooth curve. A high low beam with flicker with every little bump in the road.

Fred -

I've been reading your posts and I think you have a unique, interesting, and totally wrong approach to defensive riding. You seem to take the approach of doing everything possible to make yourself a rolling neon sign and blare horn and compelling other drivers to see and/or hear you (along with normal common sense defensive tactics I assume). My approach is to simply assume that I'm invisible and that it's 100% on me to avoid collisions. That doesn't require that I ride like an 80-year old grandma, but it does require me to be extremely aware of my surroundings at all times while riding. I think you need to lower your expectations for what you can expect from other drivers, no matter what you do to try to make them notice you.

This reminds of of the deer whistle debate. Everything I've read says they're completely ineffective, but some riders still believe in them. Deer scare the shit out of me because they're well camouflaged and extremely unpredictable, but I'm not going to depend on a whistle to protect me. I depend on me, and knowledge of their habits.

I just don't buy into your approach, and I definitely don't agree with your decision to pursue legal action against the poor clueless woman who turned in front of you. What is there to gain with that? Bullying people is not going to solve any problems or educate the masses or make people more aware. Just let it go, dude.

With all the in-your-face flashing lights and beepers and your arsenal of video cameras it seems like you're itching for encounters where you can prove to the world that you're right and somebody else fucked up. I'm sorry if I'm wrongly judging you but my cumulative interpretation of your posts is that you're creating more problems for yourself and other riders than you're solving.

I'm not trying to bash you personally - I just strongly disagree with you on the best way to stay safe on a motorcycle. I hope others chime in on this because I feel pretty strongly about it and I'm curious where others stand.

 

[TXTenere]

Fred -

I've been reading your posts and I think you have a unique, interesting, and totally wrong approach to defensive riding. You seem to take the approach of doing everything possible to make yourself a rolling neon sign and blare horn and compelling other drivers to see and/or hear you (along with normal common sense defensive tactics I assume). My approach is to simply assume that I'm invisible and that it's 100% on me to avoid collisions. That doesn't require that I ride like an 80-year old grandma, but it does require me to be extremely aware of my surroundings at all times while riding. I think you need to lower your expectations for what you can expect from other drivers, no matter what you do to try to make them notice you.

This reminds of of the deer whistle debate. Everything I've read says they're completely ineffective, but some riders still believe in them. Deer scare the shit out of me because they're well camouflaged and extremely unpredictable, but I'm not going to depend on a whistle to protect me. I depend on me, and knowledge of their habits.

I just don't buy into your approach, and I definitely don't agree with your decision to pursue legal action against the poor clueless woman who turned in front of you. What is there to gain with that? Bullying people is not going to solve any problems or educate the masses or make people more aware. Just let it go, dude.

With all the in-your-face flashing lights and beepers and your arsenal of video cameras it seems like you're itching for encounters where you can prove to the world that you're right and somebody else smurfed up. I'm sorry if I'm wrongly judging you but my cumulative interpretation of your posts is that you're creating more problems for yourself and other riders than you're solving.

I'm not trying to bash you personally - I just strongly disagree with you on the best way to stay safe on a motorcycle. I hope others chime in on this because I feel pretty strongly about it and I'm curious where others stand.

+1 to everything that has been said above.

If one always rides like they are invisible, and accept full responsibility for their safety, there are far fewer "close calls." Strange as it may seems, when the mindset of being 100% responsible is practiced all the time, suddenly situations are seen differently than before, and many more things are noticed than would have been previously. It's a small change in riding technique with, I believe, huge payouts.

My opinion, and my two cents..

 

[CentralCal]

Well I'll chime in. Have to agree with both of you.

We drive in So. Cal. Everyone is distracted, everyone is in a hurry. If I'm lucky I only have to drive 120 miles a day. Most times it's more.

I don't ride my bike for work. Have to drive a company truck with the name and phone number where everyone can see. When my sons were learning to drive I told them that I would get in an average of 5 wrecks a day if I didn't anticipate what other drivers were going to do and avoid them. They banned talking on cell phones. But most vehicles I'm behind I can see their eyes looking down in their rear view mirrors looking at their phones texting.

It's a good idea to have a camera for an accident or altercation. But if you get upset at every driver that does stupid stuff you will be pissed off all day. So I have to agree to "let it go".

When I do get to ride my bike I see a lot of the same from bikers. Going to fast without knowing what's around the next curve. I just slow down and wave them on.

Just be careful and stay safe.

 

[JRE]

I'm fine with your choice of a modulator, it's just not for me and I'm not sure it's particularly effective but again, that's just my opinion. I think the others above are just trying to say don't let it give you a false sense of security. I too have always followed the "ride like you are invisible" approach and it definitely puts you in the right frame of mind to be on the lookout for trouble.

The bottom line is, drivers are more distracted today than ever and we must all remain extra vigilant and expect the unexpected. Not only are they distracted but there are a hell of a lot of blue hairs on the road nowadays. Just a month or so ago, an ancient (seriously, she was farting dust) lady backed into my very expensive car with her POS beater in a restaurant parking lot as I watched through the window while eating. She then proceeded to bolt out of there so I never got her info or anything.

Again, glad you came out unscathed. Running a camera all the time is a good idea as it would provide evidence in the event of a crash and also lets you evaluate your reactions to various events to see if there's room for improvement. I know a guy in Columbus that runs a camera full time and he definitely gets some interesting footage.

 

[CentralCal]

Sorry Fred .Didn't mean to offend. You didn't say you were pissed off. That was me rambling about myself talking to my sons.

I don't really have an opinion about the modulator lights. But I do see people cutting in front of other cars and 18 wheelers on a regular basis. So no matter how big the vehicle you're driving is, people will either claim they didn't see you or misjudge your speed.

So you have to drive defensively and be careful out there.

 

[burnoil]

I would say I think all sorts of attention grabbing lights/colors are absolutely a benefit. A modulator hasn't been on my list, but I do ride with my Baja Designs Squadrons on all of the time. They are turned down so as not to blind others even during the day. They are that bright. I know from experience that they have gotten me noticed many times. They're a sort of "Light Bulldozer", but I do not rely on them solely for safety. I, too, ride like I am STILL invisible and every car is out to get me. The lights just help. That's all they do and, as riders, we need all the help we can get. They aren't a panacea of safety and I know that and it seems FredBGG knows that, too. And I do have a helmet cam on all the time and think of it as insurance. I have it and hope I never NEED it.

 

[AVGeek]

Good, bad or indifferent, I think a layered approach to safe riding is imperative in this day and age. I know a few members have fixated on the headlight modulators, I believe mostly because that was Fred's lead topic (I.e. Asking for info on the headlight wiring and posting information he discovered during his install). The safety experts I've read, along with the MSF course I took way back when, emphasized making yourself as visible as possible, as well as riding defensively. Each of us ultimately make decisions based on our own experiences and biases.

 

[offcamber]

What exactly are you expecting LE to do to this woman?? If the a cop didn't see it....regardless if you have video. I doubt they will do anything about it. She didn't actually hit anybody right?? This crap happens on a daily basis....people make mistakes. This time there was no harm done. Let it go. Ride like you're invisible...

::021::

Today a lady ran a red light cutting me off really badly. She was at a stop, but IMO she saw other cars move and just went ahead thinking she too had green.

The S10 brakes are great! I could not dodge the car because I had seen a second car was further back in the same turn line.

Had to go for controlled braking and lifted my ass ready to go over the car. Being a light I had my brake covered.

Came within a few couple of inches of the car. I opened up the throttle as soon as I could to get out of there not knowing what was behind me.
Heard a screech as I cleared out of there.

Went back and told the lady to pull over that I was calling it in. She did pull over but then decided to bolt. Got it all on camera.

I will prosecute this if I can find a way.

a frame from the video. Keep in mind that is a 170 degree angle of view lens making the car seem further away than it is.

I still don't have my headlight modulator working on my S10. Parts for wiring harness coming in today.

 

[arjayes]

I want to publicly apologize to Fred for my snarky comments about his personal farkling choices. I was wrong to do that. The thing that really set me off and prompted my response was this statement in Fred's post: "I will prosecute this if I can find a way." That attitude I definitely have a problem with. I hope Fred was just venting and won't really follow through on that.

As for the the other stuff, I go out of my way to not draw attention to myself. That may not be the best approach when it comes to riding and I get that, but everybody is different.

 

[snakebitten]

ATGATT is a legitimate effort at self preservation. But you can still perish, on the side of the road from a mere 30mph mishap.

ATBADATT (all the bright attention-getting devices all the time) is a legitimate effort to self preservation. But you can still perish on the side of the road by 1 texter not looking at you.

I am religious about ATGATT
I recently added fancy lights and crazy flashing brake lights.

But it is INCREDIBLY dangerous to ride my bike. I could perish today. Im not kidding myself otherwise.

Ever riding again was a heavy decision. It still is, every time.
I suspect the sheer JOY, outweighs the fear. For me, as it should.

Be safe out there friends.

 

[SuperDaveTen]

I agree with Snake, ATBADATT!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Kudos to Arjayes and Fred for keeping this civil. I thought the thread was going to need pruning shears and then see you guys stayed with the approaches of "may not disagree" rather than devolving into personal attacks.
Thanks guys!
::008::

I want to publicly apologize to Fred for my snarky comments about his personal farkling choices. I was wrong to do that. The thing that really set me off and prompted my response was this statement in Fred's post: "I will prosecute this if I can find a way." That attitude I definitely have a problem with. I hope Fred was just venting and won't really follow through on that.

As for the the other stuff, I go out of my way to not draw attention to myself. That may not be the best approach when it comes to riding and I get that, but everybody is different.

 

[Checkswrecks]

What exactly are you expecting LE to do to this woman?? If the a cop didn't see it....regardless if you have video. I doubt they will do anything about it. She didn't actually hit anybody right?? This crap happens on a daily basis....people make mistakes. This time there was no harm done. Let it go. Ride like you're invisible...

On this one, I need to agree with Offcamber. In-car video is very common in most of the world where a driver will be considered at-fault without evidence (video) to the contrary. Less scrupulous people will intentionally step in front of a car or cause an accident. For those cases the video is valuable to say "it wasn't me."

Unfortunately in a case of trying to say "that driver did wrong" if there was no evidence of contact then the video will be generally considered to be insufficient. The problems with video alone for this include that it doesn't permit ruling out a mitigating factor or something else which the video didn't catch.

 

[OldRider]

Wow.... what a judgmental crowd.....

Let me get a few things clear.

First I have ridden science I was 14 on streets and in countries with far crazier driving than here in California.
Very small roads, cobbled roads, tram lines, crazy fog.

I have yet to have a crash beyond the one slide I had on a street bike.

I find it rather short sighted of you that say you just have to ride like you are invisible.

Well if that's all it takes maybe you should all take off your turn signals and brake lights.

I also don't understand why you insist that because I take extra precautions I don't ride like I'm invisible.

I obviously do. What I do is assume I'm invisible, but pull my head out of the sand and do something about making myself visible.

Personally I think that making my self more visible is not just bout protecting myself, but also a responsibility
towards others. Bikers often just think about bikers, but I also like to think about the damage my bike could create.
A compact clump of steel weighing almost 600lbs hitting the door of a light weight modern fuel efficient car can quite easily kill the passenger inside.

Also I don't get upset at every pea brained driver that makes a mistake. I don't get pissed off even at idiots like the one today.
Where did I say I was pissed off???? I just do something about it. Sure it takes a bit of commitment, but it gets results.

The funny thing is I don't go around telling other motorcyclists that they have to ride with a modulator

Did you usd to go by "Chuck211" on the Goldwing forum?