For the second time in a year, I was hit by a car in the saddle bag. I will set the stage for you: It was 0600 hours and I was riding home from work. We had a tropical stom in DC and it was raining hard. It was dark, wet and slippery. I passed a frog in a rain jacket, thats how much it was raining. I usually use the left lane on this fast straight bit of 2-lane each way highway, but I slowed a bit due to the rain, so I was relaxing in the right lane. Normally, I leave the right lane where another highway dumps on to the one I am on, but instead, this time I just slowed down to about 50 to let a red pickup merge in front of me. Then I notice that for some reason counter-steering isnt working and then I go about 20 feet sideways with the bike angled about 45 degrees from the dotted line. It snaps back into line with a violent headshake and I had an actual 5 foot question mark over my head. As I am wondering WTF, I notice a little blue hatchback releasing me and swerving back to his right. I collected myself and slowed enough to get even with this donkey. He rolls down his window and smiles and waves. I get behind him and mentally record his tag number. He notices this, and takes off at an unsafe, and high rate of speed. Having his tag in my memory, I let him go, and he was sverving and changing lanes as if I was giving chase.
So I guess the moral of the story is to be carefull out there. be seen. And put those super-protective Givi bags on yer bike. because they have saved my bacon twice now.
Like i say at the end of roll-call: "Fallout, have fun, and be carefull"
Damn Timmy, don't know for sure, but it sounds like you have a guardian angel looking out for you. In your line of work that is a good thing! Thanks for reminding us to be seen. I've just started wearing one of those super-butt-ugly reflective vests over my riding gear since it's pretty dark when I leave for work. I'll be keeping my Givi's on for the time being after reading this...oh yeah, I added some of that fancy-pants reflective tape to the back of the bags.
Sorry about the hit, glad you pulled through.
And yes, please post a follow-up, we would like to see another donkey being taught a good lesson. Now go have a scotch (double?) and change your underwear, you deserve it.
C
You ARE gonna pursue this one, aren't you? I know you didn't bother on the last one... Guess you need to put the Glock stickers back on the Givi's, instead of those silly Redskins ones. (Glad yer all still on one piece, BTW :fing02: )
Holy Crap is right!
Glad you're OK and here to tell us about it.
Ride faster safer next time :lobby:
P.S.
The perp needs a lesson for sure.
I want to read how he spent the first night in the lock-up for hit and run.
Attempted manslaughter maybe? Just think - If there was someone less experienced in your place, there might have been a fatality. Would he have stopped then?
" rolls down his window and smiles and waves" what a f'ing jerk-off! This proves there're is a time and a place for a rocket launcher. Glad you came out of it ok.
[image: View Post]2thdr, on 30 September 2010 - 02:03 PM, said:
I've just started wearing one of those super-butt-ugly reflective vests over my riding gear since it's pretty dark when I leave for work.
I started wearing hi-viz yellow (either full jacket or vest over my leather jacket) when I started commuting in Cleveland morning & afternoon rush hour traffic in April. And I ditched the backpack I used to wear to work daily so the jacket or vest can be seen more easily.
Love the frog in the jacket....hate that you got punched in the sack by a maxi pad driving a minicar.
Really glad the rain allowed him to plow you like the back 40 without the aid of traction to toss you and Yellow Peril azz over tea cup.
I could not resist rollin up at his home or place of work and asking him a few questions about the proper response to a hit and run, for example should the driver slow down or stop?
If he says slow you can start thumping him like this :beatdeadhorse: with mag light or night stick and ask him if he would like you to slow down or actually stop.....then suggest the next time he hits someone that he should probably stop as well.
Then crack his headlight and tell he needs to get that fixed and give him a ticket for it.
[image: View Post]TimC, on 30 September 2010 - 03:44 PM, said:
[image: View Post]2thdr, on 30 September 2010 - 02:03 PM, said:
I've just started wearing one of those super-butt-ugly reflective vests over my riding gear since it's pretty dark when I leave for work.
I started wearing hi-viz yellow (either full jacket or vest over my leather jacket) when I started commuting in Cleveland morning & afternoon rush hour traffic in April. And I ditched the backpack I used to wear to work daily so the jacket or vest can be seen more easily.
New Enopugh actually some high viz jackets that dont look like you are on your way to help elementary school kids cross the street....never considered one before.
[image: View Post]TimC, on 30 September 2010 - 03:44 PM, said:
I started wearing hi-viz yellow
The funny thing was that I had this on
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm313/timmythecop/BwDdygmkKGrHqJiEv10HgThBMHO3TF7n_12.jpg
UNDER my rainsuit. But the rain suit is light grey
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm313/timmythecop/001-14.jpg
so I think I was noticeable.
at least we dont have this:
I get picked on by some of my buddies for the "Princess Leah Hair Doo Effect" the bike has with the Givis on... I need to show them this post... I've been telling them all along they double as bumpers.
Love the frog in the jacket....hate that you got punched in the sack by a maxi pad driving a minicar.
Really glad the rain allowed him to plow you like the back 40 without the aid of traction to toss you and Yellow Peril azz over tea cup.
I could not resist rollin up at his home or place of work and asking him a few questions about the proper response to a hit and run, for example should the driver slow down or stop?
If he says slow you can start thumping him like this :beatdeadhorse: with mag light or night stick and ask him if he would like you to slow down or actually stop.....then suggest the next time he hits someone that he should probably stop as well.
Then crack his headlight and tell he needs to get that fixed and give him a ticket for it.
I could make a police report and try to exact vengeance that way, but I have nothing to gain and some stuff to loose. The exact definition of an accident is as follows : "A harmful event with one or more motor vehicles involving personal injury or property damage" Now of course it is against the law to not stop after a collision and I DO have this ball-bag's plate number, but even if the PG County cops take a report, a conviction is not likely. Also, insurance companies have a way of finding out about this stuff and my rates may well go up even though it was not my fault. I cannot find any definative damage on my bike, but I could claim some, or say I am hurt, but lying rubs me the wrong way. I could find out where this guy lives and take care of it that way, but that is illegal and I am not throwing away 20 years and a retirement for some get-back.
I have learned in my years to temper the impulse to react, because I have seen the results of loss of self control over and over again.
To re-cap....I should just do nothing but learn a lesson. And to tell you the truth, I dont know if it is the cop or christian in me, but I'm just not that mad about it.
But the guy still sucks monkey nutz.
going back out on the highway in the driving rain in about 10 mins on my way to work. Lets hope the donkeys are home watching Grey's Anatomy and leave me alone.
Does your bike have 4 way flashers, they work great in that kind of rain pour.
Thruth is the vfr does not have that great of brake light significance , really pays to know whats behind you and give them notice, before hand. You basically had someone on your butt and didnt know it.
I wear all dark clothes too
How long will it take to find him and place some charges?
Although it WOULD have been nice to rock up at the guy's house in a police cruiser, question the guy about his contact with another vehicle, and then when he was quakin' in his boots - tell him that it was YOU.
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 30 September 2010 - 08:27 PM, said:
I understand Timmy's perpsective on this.
Although it WOULD have been nice to rock up at the guy's house in a police cruiser, question the guy about his contact with another vehicle, and then when he was quakin' in his boots - tell him that it was YOU.
Heh heh heh.
I like where you're going with this... :laughing6-hehe:
Okay, I get your reasoning for not taking legal action but you have a great opportunity to at least let the guy know the right thing to do after a hit n run. It would have sucked bad if you and peril had gone sliding down the wet asphalt only to see his fading tail lights. Right now, he thinks he got away with something and that you couldn't ID him.
[image: View Post]JBAXX, on 30 September 2010 - 09:00 PM, said:
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 30 September 2010 - 08:27 PM, said:
I understand Timmy's perpsective on this.
Although it WOULD have been nice to rock up at the guy's house in a police cruiser, question the guy about his contact with another vehicle, and then when he was quakin' in his boots - tell him that it was YOU.
Heh heh heh.
I like where you're going with this... :laughing6-hehe:
:+1:
would at least be worth the effort to explain to the guy, what kind and how large of a douche-bag he really is.
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 30 September 2010 - 07:08 PM, said:
Here is the real skinny:
I could make a police report and try to exact vengeance that way, but I have nothing to gain and some stuff to loose. The exact definition of an accident is as follows : "A harmful event with one or more motor vehicles involving personal injury or property damage" Now of course it is against the law to not stop after a collision and I DO have this ball-bag's plate number, but even if the PG County cops take a report, a conviction is not likely. Also, insurance companies have a way of finding out about this stuff and my rates may well go up even though it was not my fault. I cannot find any definative damage on my bike, but I could claim some, or say I am hurt, but lying rubs me the wrong way. I could find out where this guy lives and take care of it that way, but that is illegal and I am not throwing away 20 years and a retirement for some get-back.
I have learned in my years to temper the impulse to react, because I have seen the results of loss of self control over and over again.
To re-cap....I should just do nothing but learn a lesson. And to tell you the truth, I don't know if it is the cop or christian in me, but I'm just not that mad about it.
But the guy still sucks monkey nutz.
going back out on the highway in the driving rain in about 10 mins on my way to work. Lets hope the donkeys are home watching Grey's Anatomy and leave me alone.
Contrast the reaction of Timmy with the officer in question here,
I think you did good on both counts Timmy - Keeping it upright (Givi or not) AND deciding to let this one go.
I can personally attest to the protection of hardbags. I was hit from behind while stationary when I was stopped at a STOP sign held by a construction worker less than half a mile from home. They were re-surfacing one side of the road.
Fell on a saddlebag that was already cracked from a driveway tip-over. It was a clear day with excellent visibility and
I did not press charges as the person offered to replace the damaged bag and also is the parent of a child in my son's class.
My insurance agent later told me, off the record that it was best I settled it this way to avoid a possible premium increase even though I was not at fault.
Pat yourself on the back Timmy and stay safe everyone !
Yes, yes I agree, BUT, there is what we know, and what we THINK we know. I checked the code book and the other driver was under no legal onus to stop. No injury or property damage equals no accident and that equals no "Leaving After colliding".
This is why I have to be so careful. If any action would have been taken, a regular Joe gets a "leave that guy alone and settle down". I get a police misconduct investigation with other legal ramifications. sometimes it really sucks being a lawman.
Its just one of those things and not worth the risk.
the real lesson is to double extra secret probation never trust anything on the road (even though I thought I was well in front of this turd), and to stay loose and go with it when you get shoved sideways across a wet highway. Also that Givi bags rock. I think I will drop Mr. Givi a note..........................
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 30 September 2010 - 10:46 PM, said:
Yes, yes I agree, BUT, there is what we know, and what we THINK we know. I checked the code book and the other driver was under no legal onus to stop. No injury or property damage equals no accident and that equals no "Leaving After colliding".
This is why I have to be so careful. If any action would have been taken, a regular Joe gets a "leave that guy alone and settle down". I get a police misconduct investigation with other legal ramifications. sometimes it really sucks being a lawman.
Its just one of those things and not worth the risk.
the real lesson is to double extra secret probation never trust anything on the road (even though I thought I was well in front of this turd), and to stay loose and go with it when you get shoved sideways across a wet highway. Also that Givi bags rock. I think I will drop Mr. Givi a note..........................
Yes but, he hit you and acknowledged as much, how could he know there was no damage? Obviously a dirt bag but we can understand your hesitation in pursuing it. I just hope he doesn't decide all bikers are just speed bumps on the road.
And btw, glad you pulled it out and are ok. Ever consider painting that thing bright yellow? :biggrin:
[image: View Post]vfrcapn, on 30 September 2010 - 11:17 PM, said:
And btw, glad you pulled it out and are ok. Ever consider painting that thing bright yellow? :biggrin:
you know, this is kinda strange. i commute on my flat black bike, and my shift ensures that it is dark when I go to work, and it is dark when I go home. :blink:
Glad to hear u kept it upright. And i can def understand the dousche canoes that r on the roads at night. I work 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. And have over an hour commute one way. And every night its somethin new. Worst part is its pitch black so any light should b noticable but that doesnt seem to b the case. So i just dont trust any cage and make sure if they make me nervous to pull over and let them hit someone else.
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 30 September 2010 - 10:46 PM, said:
Yes, yes I agree, BUT, there is what we know, and what we THINK we know. I checked the code book and the other driver was under no legal onus to stop. No injury or property damage equals no accident and that equals no "Leaving After colliding".
This is why I have to be so careful. If any action would have been taken, a regular Joe gets a "leave that guy alone and settle down". I get a police misconduct investigation with other legal ramifications. sometimes it really sucks being a lawman.
Its just one of those things and not worth the risk.
the real lesson is to double extra secret probation never trust anything on the road (even though I thought I was well in front of this turd), and to stay loose and go with it when you get shoved sideways across a wet highway. Also that Givi bags rock. I think I will drop Mr. Givi a note..........................
so give ME the guys address.. there nothing in the law that says I cant yell at him for being a moron that nearly kills a vfrd member!!
[image: View Post]Knute, on 30 September 2010 - 03:26 PM, said:
" .... what a f'ing jerk-off! This proves there're is a time and a place for a rocket launcher. ...
Yep ... but i never seem to have a bazooka handy when I need one!
Like this afternoon on the way home from work ... I had actually just been thinking about Timmy's near miss in the wet (because it was just starting sprinkling with rain) and as i was approaching a roundabout near my house some random c0ckhead in his ute had to max brake not to go through the roundabout and clean me up. I had seen him coming, moved over and slowed to a stand still (nearly toppled over because of the uneven ground in the middle of the roundabout).
The sad irony is that this bloke in the ute was clearly a motorcyclist -> he had a great big "ALPINESTAR" sticker across the front of his wind-screen. I got no nod of acknowledgement, no mouthed 'sorry', not even a shrug of the shoulders, he just waited until I cleared the roundabout and then pissed-off - probably back to the pub :dry:
Good on ya for taking the higher road, Timmy, and avoiding an ugly scene at best - or official department discipline at worst. Personally, I'd still be ticked but kudos to you for being able to let it go.
For those saying "paint the bike a bright color", I don't think the color of the bike mattered in this case. The idiot cager was behind Timmy, and it's nearly impossible to tell what color a sportbike is from directly behind it. Big reflective decals on the bags might have helped...or not. Sounds to me like the contact was mostly due to yet another inattentive arsehat driver. :mad:
I was practically in the same situation 3 weeks ago, but at 10 am on a beautiful sunny day!!! And my VFR is Winning Red, plastered with 3M reflective tape on the bike, helmet and luggage and I wear an Olympia AST Hi-Viz jacket.
Thank God for mi Givi bags!!! I don't even want to imagine what would've happened without them.
I never got the guys plate as he was behind me and when he saw that I pulled over to the side (still shocked and wanting to know if my bike was damaged) he changed lanes and fled (I was on the highway).
I just hate these kind of people! Who think that driving is a god given right and that they can do it without paying any attention to the road.
As motorcyclists, we are aware of the dangers and are always on the lookout and scanning the horizon. Most of us know enough not to drive our bikes if we're too tired, stressed, irritated, frustrated, etc. I wish other motorist would take getting behind the wheel as seriously.
Isn't there a way to arrest this guy based on dangerous driving? I know here in Quebec, you can be arrested for anything that could be perceived as dangerous driving (even if you haven't caused a serious accident). ie: passing on the right, popping a wheely, bumping someone, etc
I understand your point of view and respect it, but know that I had no authorithy to chase this guy, so I didn't... I was on a busy highway and I'm sure that more than one motorist saw what happened, especially since I pulled to the side of the road on a 3 lane highway... yet it seems that no cops (on or off duty) where arround as this guy drove off and got away. I would love for people like this to be made examples of and for people in general to realize that there are serious consequences to their actions.
[image: View Post]FrankVT500, on 01 October 2010 - 09:45 AM, said:
Hi Timmy,
I was practically in the same situation 3 weeks ago, but at 10 am on a beautiful sunny day!!! And my VFR is Winning Red, plastered with 3M reflective tape on the bike, helmet and luggage and I wear an Olympia AST Hi-Viz jacket.
Thank God for mi Givi bags!!! I don't even want to imagine what would've happened without them.
I never got the guys plate as he was behind me and when he saw that I pulled over to the side (still shocked and wanting to know if my bike was damaged) he changed lanes and fled (I was on the highway).
I just hate these kind of people! Who think that driving is a god given right and that they can do it without paying any attention to the road.
As motorcyclists, we are aware of the dangers and are always on the lookout and scanning the horizon. Most of us know enough not to drive our bikes if we're too tired, stressed, irritated, frustrated, etc. I wish other motorist would take getting behind the wheel as seriously.
Isn't there a way to arrest this guy based on dangerous driving? I know here in Quebec, you can be arrested for anything that could be perceived as dangerous driving (even if you haven't caused a serious accident). ie: passing on the right, popping a wheely, bumping someone, etc
I understand your point of view and respect it, but know that I had no authorithy to chase this guy, so I didn't... I was on a busy highway and I'm sure that more than one motorist saw what happened, especially since I pulled to the side of the road on a 3 lane highway... yet it seems that no cops (on or off duty) where arround as this guy drove off and got away. I would love for people like this to be made examples of and for people in general to realize that there are serious consequences to their actions.
All it takes is for the people(witnesses)to do their duty and write the tag # down and report it........... No need to go into the fact that they don't..... but that's the problem....
Glad you're okay. We had a guy that wasn't so lucky yesterday morning that was 60 seconds (one traffic light) ahead of me and he ran head long into a left turning semi at 7AM and was killed on the spot. The evidence isn't out but I have a feeling he wasn't being very cautious. I commented to myself a moment before as I saw him narrowly avert a collision at an intersection where I first saw him. I heard the bike wind up as he raced through an intersection as I was pulling out of Micky D's and thought "that moron is why people don't like guys on bikes". Much to my dismay, 5 blocks down there was a traffic back up and I was 3rd in line to see the mess. Tragic, but a simple reminder that we are at the mercy of all that is out there guys and gals, so let's wise up and be the better drivers (like Timmy - way to keep it up and rolling)! God speed to him and his family and to all of us.
hi timmy ,i applaud your ethics in this matter,but is it also right that the inattentive car driver gets off with out even a telling off by a traffic cop! :mellow: glad to hear no damage done.
[quote name='timmythecop' timestamp='1285891698' post='737392']
Here is the real skinny:
I have learned in my years to temper the impulse to react, because I have seen the results of loss of self control over and over again.
To re-cap....I should just do nothing but learn a lesson. And to tell you the truth, I dont know if it is the cop or christian in me, but I'm just not that mad about it.
Pretty impressive man. Amazes me when someone whose job it is to deal with the worst of the worst in society can keep his cool. Wise man. Right guy for the job. Thanks.
[image: View Post]skymon, on 01 October 2010 - 01:14 PM, said:
Pretty impressive man. Amazes me when someone whose job it is to deal with the worst of the worst in society can keep his cool. Wise man. Right guy for the job. Thanks.
Those are the ones they should be hiring all of the time... :fing02:
Timmy
I think you earned yourself some more saucijzenbroodjes..... :biggrin:
First, I am very glad you're okay, Timmy. Very scary close call. As one poster said, you're lucky ... go buy a lottery ticket.
Second, I am immensely impressed at your restraint. I don't think I could let it go. So I'm very, very impressed.
That being said, don't you think he at least deserves a scare? Find him and tell him you've forwarded his tag number to the NSA, and they'll be tracking him with the eye in the sky. Or the highway patrol will be following him in unmarked vehicles. I think the guy at least deserves a restless night's sleep.
[image: View Post]MrGone, on 01 October 2010 - 03:44 PM, said:
That being said, don't you think he at least deserves a scare? Find him and tell him you've forwarded his tag number to the NSA, and they'll be tracking him with the eye in the sky. Or the highway patrol will be following him in unmarked vehicles. I think the guy at least deserves a restless night's sleep.
Stay safe.
Well if you let dumb luck play in to it, you'll pull the guy over in about 6 months time for running a red light or something like that and as your running his plate than, it will kick back in to your mind :owned:
[image: View Post]dweese, on 03 October 2010 - 08:34 PM, said:
[image: View Post]MrGone, on 01 October 2010 - 03:44 PM, said:
That being said, don't you think he at least deserves a scare? Find him and tell him you've forwarded his tag number to the NSA, and they'll be tracking him with the eye in the sky. Or the highway patrol will be following him in unmarked vehicles. I think the guy at least deserves a restless night's sleep.
Stay safe.
Well if you let dumb luck play in to it, you'll pull the guy over in about 6 months time for running a red light or something like that and as your running his plate than, it will kick back in to your mind :owned:
I agree 100% with dweese. This is why I pray for karma.