I didn' know where to put this and started spouting off on another area. Today on my way home yet another person so completely sucked in to there cell phone call almost ran me over. I am sorry but that drives me nuts. I do not drive and text or drive and talk on m\y phone..... I drive. In the last 4 years since I have started driviing a bike again there has been at least ten times per year where if someone has not been paying attention and either texting or talking on there phone I would have not been in an extremely close call. Some have been so close I dont' even want to mention them.
I can understand your frustration--who hasn't had a close call because of one of them? Venting is ok. Once this is done, it makes you want to drive even more defensively, doesn't it? Meaning giving them lots of space, and never take off without looking at an intersection, etc. For me anyway.
Be careful out there!
c
Today even though I knew it would be 90 degrees I wore my full First Gear jacket. It vents very good, but way safer than my light rain jacket. Glad I did because yet another person sucked up in there cell phone conversation almost took me out. I am always watching because it seems like noone else is. I actually kicked a car a few years ago as the driver was so in to his cell phone he didn't realize that he was the only one that had the stop sigh.
Well don't be kicking doors on cars, cell phones might not be the only toys they have in their car........... Just shooting it out there.
It would do you better to control the anger and make it a mental "GAME". Here's how a ride might be going though my mind while riding.....
I'm riding down a long straight road and this airhead starts drifting into my part of the road, that the state put a lot of money and time to be sure I knew which part was mine, matter of fact with that same line they wanted the drifter to know which was his as well, but of course it requires him to look out the window to see it. So I'm thinking maybe if I can get his attention, like flashing my lights and and zig-zaging a little all the light motion may alert him to the fact that he's about to run me off the road(because it could be less painful than a head on), and sure enough he plulls it back and drives past as if he'd been on his side all along............. So I react to this by saying to myself "excuse me for riding on your rode, Dude"........... Then there's me on the bike again going around somes "blind" curves, and who knew, another airhead playing A.J.Foyt ( http://www.foytracing.com/ ) , so as I moved a little closer to the roads edge I said to myself, good thing I wasn't in my Jeep or he might have not had that room I left for 'em........
But the main thing is to keep your thoughts on a even keel when things happen that would make a lot of peeps mad....... But all that does is work against you............ Stay cool...........
I've said it before, but I don't think I've had my cell on for over a few weeks....Maybe I should check for calls? When I get a new car I'm not getting the tech package $2000 and I'd never turn it on..........
You can guess what I think about ppl on cells why they're driving, but that's while I'm sitting here...... When I'm on the road I play mind games to keep attitude in check.
No you guys are right, but I was so mad when I came home I wrote yet another email to my state government about stricter laws dealing with cell phones. My father is a retired truck driver and has motorcycled his whold life. He said that there was many states that did not allow ANY cell phone use while operating a semi. I wish this was for ny vehicle. As that is how I drive, if I am driving a vehicle I pull over talk/text whatever, then continue to drive. Sorry it is just that it does take all of one's attention when driving not just what you have left.
It is funny you should say that about your cell phone, I always leave mine at home and my wife asks me, why do you do that. I figure if someone wants to talk to me they can leave me a message. It isn't the end of the world, like many think. When most of us were younger you had to leave a message anyway as there were either no cell phones or only those lovely bag phones.
[image: View Post]Nsoley1974, on 04 July 2012 - 12:01 AM, said:
What has to be done????
You have to assume that everyone is not paying attention to their driving/riding, and ride accordingly i.e. you have to pay attention for those that are not. Sad, but true.
Old enough to have lived through times without cell phones and been able to tell my manager that no I did not want a mobile phone, that I want to be able to take a dump without being disturbed... :tongue:
In the NL then they came and for a brief moment our government considered banning their use, with or without handsfree kit. but I assume the telecom operators/cellphone manufacturers lobbied themselves silly and won the day..
Since then, DEFENSE!!!!! around cars is the word, as is keeping an eye on their front wheel, the first indication they are about to be doing something dumb.
Keep a wide berth...
Other tactic is to look for roads where cars frequent less.
And last but not least, a good measure of my double FIAMMs when seeing a driver with a phone in their hand/near ear.... :tour:
The younger generation is referred to as the "mobile generation", but most sit on their ass all day............. :tongue:
If you're really honest about it, you know down deep that making a law against cell phone usage will do no real good. People will ignore it.
The technology exists to shut down a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, but that just ain't gonna happen. Instead the automakers are making their cars even more interactive. Stoopid, stoopid, stoopid.
To paraphrase: "If you build it, they will use it."
And don't overlook the fact that some posters on this forum have posted that they use their cell phones while riding. If you can't convince a rider it's patently unsafe, how can you convince the general public?
I do carry a cell phone, but it's turned off and I carry so I'll have an access to help in an emergency.
[image: View Post]FJ12Ryder, on 04 July 2012 - 09:56 AM, said:
The technology exists to shut down a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, but that just ain't gonna happen. Instead the automakers are making their cars even more interactive. Stoopid, stoopid, stoopid.
To paraphrase: "If you build it, they will use it."
That's what I tend to think when I see the new BMW control system on MC's. It seems to me that there's enough going on without having to look at a control panel while you jog the wheel to select suspension options etc. I understand that these are supposed to be easy to use but it must take at least some concentration away from the road.
[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 04 July 2012 - 02:34 AM, said:
In the NL then they came and for a brief moment our government considered banning...
i don't see how banning the National League (NL) would help anything, but you folks are different! :laugh:
Like mentioned here, the only way you can attempt to survive out there is to count on the fact that every driver out there does not see you and is going to try and kill you! If you don't ride with that intense of a defensive attitude, you have No Chance! :ph34r:
[image: View Post]FJ12Ryder, on 04 July 2012 - 09:56 AM, said:
If you're really honest about it, you know down deep that making a law against cell phone usage will do no real good. People will ignore it.
The technology exists to shut down a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, but that just ain't gonna happen. Instead the automakers are making their cars even more interactive. Stoopid, stoopid, stoopid.
To paraphrase: "If you build it, they will use it."
And don't overlook the fact that some posters on this forum have posted that they use their cell phones while riding. If you can't convince a rider it's patently unsafe, how can you convince the general public?
I do carry a cell phone, but it's turned off and I carry so I'll have an access to help in an emergency.
+1.......... I bought my cell to have on the road if needed....... but don't turn it on unless I need help....
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on 04 July 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 04 July 2012 - 02:34 AM, said:
In the NL then they came and for a brief moment our government considered banning...
i don't see how banning the National League (NL) would help anything, but you folks are different! :laugh:
Like mentioned here, the only way you can attempt to survive out there is to count on the fact that every driver out there does not see you and is going to try and kill you! If you don't ride with that intense of a defensive attitude, you have No Chance! :ph34r:
BR
+1 , Kevin........... I have my signature devoted this.......
The "text while driving" people should be all taken out back and shot. Sometimes, they have single vehicle accidents while driving and kill only themselves...natural selection as Darwin would say.
Seriously, as others have said, assume all drivers are distracted idiots and are not aware of your presence. Assume that each driver will do something stupid in front of you. Learn to predict the stupidity, so you can stop or evade as necessary, as it unfolds in front of you.
Then, there are those that are not acquainted with turn signals, their use and function. I could go on...
Remember, the average American is none too bright and will unwittingly kill you.
Learn to predict the stupidity, so you can stop or evade as necessary, as it unfolds in front of you.
There's the important part. Learn to predict the behavior of a-holes and idiots. :laugh:
The first group is more predictable than the second. I don't know which group is larger, but between them I assure you they are a solid majority on the road. Keep your distance from them as much as you can. Go for the road less traveled. If nothing else there should be less of them.
Cell phone use with a hand held set has been illegal here for a few years. Plenty of people ignore it.
I don't think using a headset solves the distraction issue, but it makes you legal, so it's a useless sort of law. :rolleyes:
I was riding today, on a 4 lane street, & a Silver Honda Accord, starts to make a right hand turn onto said street, & since I was in the left lane I mostly discounted him as a threat, till He pulled out wide into my lane, then changed lanes to the right lane. As I pulled up along side of him (after coming to a stop because of him & almost hitting him) He was jawing on his cell phone oblivious to his actions or simply not caring!
Had I been driving my truck or car, He would have been hit hard in the drivers door!
As many have & continue to say, The safest way to ride is to assume you are invisible to everyone (Except the police), & ride accordingly!
Here in B.C. we've had a law against using hand-held cell phones, texting, etc. while driving for a few years. Wait at any intersection in the city for a couple of minutes, however, and you'll see phones. Every so often, the Mounties do an enforcement push and catch hundreds of these idiots. Last time they were quite creative and had one cop dressed up as a panhandler walking up and down the median with a sign. Funny thing is, his sign said something like: "I'm a police officer enforcing the law on hand-held devices," and they still caught dozens of idiots so engrossed in their phones they either didn't see or read the sign or see the panhandler/officer. Interestingly, research done by our big provincial auto insurer found that it wasn't so much the hand-held nature of the devices that was the problem, but the call itself. People just cannot multi-task the way they think they can. If they're concentrating on a conversation, they're not paying attention to the road--simple as that. In other words, making calls while driving should be illegal. Period. I'm also old enough to remember when cell phones first came out. (I had one of those Motorola bricks with a stubby antennae.) They came with instructions advising users to pull over and stop before answering the phone or making a call.
For motorcyclists, it means if you see a cell phone (or iPod, etc.) in the hands of a driver you have to assume that person is unaware of you and behave accordingly.
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on 04 July 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:
Like mentioned here, the only way you can attempt to survive out there is to count on the fact that every driver out there does not see you and is going to try and kill you! If you don't ride with that intense of a defensive attitude, you have No Chance! :ph34r:
BR
This is exactly how I've avoided several potential disasters. I figure it's up to me and only me to predict what the idiots are potentially going to do. If I have a close call then I blame myself for not predicting their actions. Plus, I try to avoid city driving as much as possible.
And cage drivers aren't the only ones distracted by cellphones....
Every so often, the Mounties do an enforcement push and catch hundreds of these idiots. Last time they were quite creative and had one cop dressed up as a panhandler walking up and down the median with a sign. Funny thing is, his sign said something like: "I'm a police officer enforcing the law on hand-held devices," and they still caught dozens of idiots so engrossed in their phones they either didn't see or read the sign or see the panhandler/officer.
Love it. :laughing6-hehe:
Most people Ride like they drive , and there lies the issue. On a bike protecting the space bubble is a priority, but when entering the danger zone amongst threats, you have to engage them for clarity or rule them out, and thats every single threat potential.
One way especially with oncoming left hand turners, is to manuver the bike in a quick sharp movement in their direction, that will normally catch an eye, and you can get a Read whether or not they see you. But you can modify and engage any threat in a similar manner to create attention, and catch an eye.
[image: View Post]Apittslife, on 04 July 2012 - 06:47 PM, said:
The safest way to ride is to assume you are invisible to everyone (Except the police), & ride accordingly!
You better assume you are invisible to the police too (as related to cell phones). The local police, deputies, and THP are by far the worst offenders of cell phone use that I see every day. However, they are talking instead of texting. I seldom see them drift out of their lane, but they do on occasion.
I've been in a postition to kick a few doors of cell phone users. It is very tempting. So far I've resisted. If a cell phone-using driver causes me to take evasive maneuver I sometimes downshift a couple of gears to make enough noise to interfer with their conversation. In heavy traffic, I'll shake my finger (index) in a scolding manner in an attempt to shame them for their bad behavior. It may not work but makes me feel better. If I had more money I'd get a LOUD horn.
I want to add my voice to the chorus: I have had many close calls with distracted drivers, especially cell phone users and peple texting. It is our society...our culture is narcissistic so people act however they please with no regard for others. One of the most apparent examples is the way we drive. Almost every aspect of American driving makes this very clear.
[image: View Post]MaxSwell, on 05 July 2012 - 01:23 PM, said:
If I had more money I'd get a LOUD horn.
I friend of mine installed a Stebel horn on his Kaw. Z1000 a few years ago. Man, is it loud! They aren't too expensive, and there are a couple threads on this horn here on VFRD if you're interested.
I'd love to have a louder horn, but reacting to the threat is my first priority. After that I'd use the horn to blast the offending cager, though most of them still wouldn't realize what they'd done wrong - and some even get ticked at you for pointing out their idiocy.
I've said it many times before, and as recently as this week: It should be much harder to get - and keep - a drivers license in this country. :mellow:
BTW, my same friend also installed a headlight modulator and says it has been a big help.
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on 04 July 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 04 July 2012 - 02:34 AM, said:
In the NL then they came and for a brief moment our government considered banning...
i don't see how banning the National League (NL) would help anything, but you folks are different! :laugh:
Like mentioned here, the only way you can attempt to survive out there is to count on the fact that every driver out there does not see you and is going to try and kill you! If you don't ride with that intense of a defensive attitude, you have No Chance! :ph34r:
BR
This really is not a "fact" The huge majority of drivers do see you, and there are very few drivers who are actually trying to kill you. A lot of people who ride with this attitude are riding scared and angry all the time. You see them in traffic being ignorant to other drivers, scolding and giving the finger and blaming all their perceived close calls on the other drivers.
Motorcycle riders are also guilty of riding distracted. Communication radios, bluetooth, mp3 players, those damn cruisers with their radio blasting. No different than driving with a phone held up to your ear.
You can ride defensively and intelligently without going into battle mode. If anyone finds themselves being cut off and having close calls on a regular basis then they really need to alter their riding style
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