Mom's Mabley

Mom's Mabley... Is an old comedian(she was old when I was a 10 year old, back in the late fifties).... One of her skits was about telling children not to watch the traffic lights like your Mommy told you "Because the lights never hurt "NOBODY", Watch the "CARS".

I saw a video a day or so ago that was on this forum for only about 1/2 hour before it was deleted(I'd guess because it was graphic, which isn't allowed). But having watched it, really brought to light(no pun intended) just how long after the light changes that cages come plowing though. It was one after the other, and it wasn't just a 1, 2 count. Some of the lights were dead red. I've always(98%) tried to look and not jump when the light turns green(Thx,Mom's Mabley) and I thought I've been looking long and deep enough into the on coming cross traffic to cover late runners. But after watching that video, I'll have to modify the process. Also paying attion not to get rear-ended as well from people thinking I should have gone by now.
Rear-ended .... Something else I've noticed from riding/driving bikes/large trucks, is that when sitting at a light in a large truck I can sit for a long time without worrying about someone thinking it's time to go even if I haven't moved yet, because they can't see what's in front of me.......... But sitting any amount of time at a light after it has turned green is asking to get rear-ended because the cage behind me isn't watching me, they're looking though me and are seeing everyone else moving, and a spid'y since tells them it's motion time.
Also when I stop at a light controled intersection, or not, I have for many years started placing myself back from the intersection for two reasons..... It's easier to check cross traffic ...... but it also places me away from getting caught up as calateral damage from wrecks other peeps get into.

If anyone has any safety tips on this, feel free to post....Thanks.

[image: View Post]Monk, on 02 December 2010 - 07:54 PM, said:

I saw a video a day or so ago that was on this forum for only about 1/2 hour before it was deleted(I'd guess because it was graphic, which isn't allowed).


Guilty as charged. I reviewed the rules, and I guess I overstepped...

[image: View Post]Monk, on 02 December 2010 - 07:54 PM, said:

But having watched it, really brought to light(no pun intended) just how long after the light changes that cages come plowing though. It was one after the other, and it wasn't just a 1, 2 count. Some of the lights were dead red. I've always(98%) tried to look and not jump when the light turns green(Thx,Mom's Mabley) and I thought I've been looking long and deep enough into the on coming cross traffic to cover late runners. But after watching that video, I'll have to modify the process. Also paying attion not to get rear-ended as well from people thinking I should have gone by now.


That's why I posted it.

I just got rid of a GMC Safari van. I regularly brought that beast to a halt at a light, and a full second or two later, some zoomy car with brake discs the diameter of manhole covers would blast by in an adjacent lane, through a red light.

C'mon. If I could stop the Safari, anything built after 1985 could stop without even spilling the Tim Hortons Starbucks. But the driver would have to care...

Be careful out there.

Glenn

Good post, Monk. I'm not going to lie: that video got to me. It really showed me how vulnerable we are to the mistakes/irresponsibility/selfishness of other motorists. Everytime I drive my car or ride my bike, I notice so much bad driving. So much tailgating. So much impatience. So much talking and texting. Everything but concentration on driving. I see drivers speed to make the light, and I see drivers speed to cross the intersection after the light's already turned red. Often I think that the times are not conducive to riding anymore. Back in the day, all you had to distract you while driving was an 8-track or a cassette player. I wish I would have been riding back then, but I was in kindergarten and elementary school. Now, I bet there are even people updating their Facebook accounts while driving.

I wouldn't go as far as to quit riding, but I do try to skirt town traffic when I can. I think it's just a wake-up call to be aware.

Same for blinking indicators,
it doesnot guarantee that the driver will move the vehicle in the direction indicated,
it merely shows that the bulbs are in working order..... :biggrin:

Here in New England, it's not just at lights - cagers will squeeze past on the right when you're waiting to make a left turn onto a side street. If they misjudge passing an MC the first thing they will hit is meat, not metal. OK, MCs do it too but that doesn't count.

And those red signs mean "Stop Optional" around here.

It was quite a shock when I arrived from North Carolina many years ago. That thin veneer of Southern politeness seemed to make the streets feel a little safer.

Moms was right. I try to keep in mind how vulnerable to attack I am, from any direction, whenever I'm at a standstill on a public street.

[image: View Post]rdguy, on 02 December 2010 - 08:40 PM, said:

Guilty as charged. I reviewed the rules, and I guess I overstepped...

Glenn


Missed the deleted post. Can you PM me the link to the video? Amen on the looking for the late light runner. Since we are done riding here for the next 4-5 months I will have to time to un-scare myself. Thanks. And yes, I grew up on Mom's Mabley......very un-PC but then that's what made her so funny. Cosbyish with more soul.

We might be on the other side of the road but driver behaviour is just the same down under. Although the plethora of "Safety cameras" being installed at intersections may make a difference. Double jeopardy - speed and red light transgressions. I presume they came from the US originally but it doesn't appear as though they are being effective there.

Take care.

There's an intersection at the exit of my neighborhood that I bet averages 6-10 crashes a year. The way the sun sets behind the lights makes them all but invisible to cross traffic and you always have to watch for the late runners. I've had numerous close calls there (thankfully in my truck and not on the bike(s)) and have had to adjust my method of thinking. At this point I figure its better to get hit from behind by a guy accelerating from a stop than to get side-swiped by some cat that's already speeding to make the light he already missed...so I err on that side and make sure traffic has noticed the light and is stopping before I head through. I get honked at on occasion and have had some choice words thrown at me from time to time, but at least I'm still around to hear it!!!

"Treat every other person on the road like they're idiots that WILL make every possible mistake they can." - probably the best advice my dad ever gave me.

Stay safe all.

Great post Monk.

I must admit I dont always look for late runners.

True story w. happy endinng.

Sitting at a light in sometown I dont remember, The light turns green, Im in the 18wheeler w/ 1 car infront of me. The car in front slowly, Very slowly is creeping out into the intersection. Im wondering why, What is this persons problem. Then I notice the car coming from my right, 4 lane w/ median. This car is in the left turn lane and at the last second she slams on the brakes, Barely stopping 15 or so feet into the intersection, We had to let her go on so we could get thru.

After it was over instead of the usual cussing of the stupid cars I thanked the one who kept me from getting in a accident. Im sure she couldnt hear me but I said thankyou to them none the less. Being in my 18wheeler Im sure the lady who ran thru the light would not have come out of the situation very well at all.

Be safe out there folks and have fun.

And to those of you who give that little extra effort to safety when near a tractor trailer, Thank you also.

Good reminder, Monk. :fing02:

I try to swivel my head a bit thru most intersections, or at least use my peripheral vision, to check for drivers running the light, didn't see it turn red or just aren't paying attention. Situational awareness is everything, esp. on a bike.

Think about the choices we make while riding or driving everyday. Getting thru that intersection ASAP might save you 5 seconds during your ride/drive. Passing that slower car ahead when you only have another mile or two to go might save you 10 seconds. Running a light might save you 30 seconds or even a minute or two depending on the light. But is any of this worth your life? I don't think so.

Monk: A bit :offtopic: but I remember Moms Mabley well. There was always a rumor that Moms was really a man, but it wasn't true. I guess it was just hard for people to accept that a woman could be that ugly. Doesn't matter, she was beautiful inside. She was a funny, funny person! Example...
"He was so ugly, honest to goodness, he hurt my feelings."

RIP Moms!

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