Fatal motorcycle crashes on the rise in North Texas: Star Telegram

[2012_Blue_Lvl3]

A good read from Sept 13th

http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/09/13/6117679/fatal-motorcycle-crashes-on-the.html

Quote "State transportation officials say many crashes are caused by motorists who fail to yield to motorcyclists."
A fact that many of us are all to familiar with!

[jmohme]

I wonder how many of those "fail to yield" statistics are drivers with cell phones in their hands?

[2012_Blue_Lvl3]

I wonder how many of those "fail to yield" statistics are drivers with cell phones in their hands?

True and that's another rising trend.

[Cruiseman]

They need a way to determine if, at the exact time of a collision, if the driver is using a cell phone. Then, have the tough laws to punish such behavior.

[jmohme]

They need a way to determine if, at the exact time of a collision, if the driver is using a cell phone. Then, have the tough laws to punish such behavior.

It doesn't really have to be at the exact time. How long does it take to refocus on driving after having your head down looking at a text or web page?
But I do agree on the tough laws.

[Kit Carson]

I do not worry about them, I just watch them. At all pull outs, all intersections, keep your head on a pivot. One eye behind you, and expect them to pull out in front of you.

Those just beyond a big truck waiting to turn left, especially watch them. They do not see that motorcycle coming up beside the truck, if you can take the right lane in that instance.

I figure if I run into a vehicle it was my own fault.

Makes no difference if you are right or wrong, not when you are hurt or dead.

You just have to learn to watch them. Expect them to pull out in front of you or zip around you and hit the brakes.

They are not going to do anything with cell phones, at least nothing that makes any sense like it will not operate at say over 5 mph. Oh gosh no, that infringes on the rights of those who have the right to tell others they have no rights.

So all you can do is become a super defensive rider and expect them to be a hazard.

I see a lot of motorcycle riders locally come through intersections at speed and never once gear down or slow, all their trust is in the green light. Sooner or later they find out about that one.

[530ktm]

I do not worry about them, I just watch them. At all pull outs, all intersections, keep your head on a pivot. One eye behind you, and expect them to pull out in front of you.

Those just beyond a big truck waiting to turn left, especially watch them. They do not see that motorcycle coming up beside the truck, if you can take the right lane in that instance.

I figure if I run into a vehicle it was my own fault.

Makes no difference if you are right or wrong, not when you are hurt or dead.

You just have to learn to watch them. Expect them to pull out in front of you or zip around you and hit the brakes.

They are not going to do anything with cell phones, at least nothing that makes any sense like it will not operate at say over 5 mph. Oh gosh no, that infringes on the rights of those who have the right to tell others they have no rights.

So all you can do is become a super defensive rider and expect them to be a hazard.

I see a lot of motorcycle riders locally come through intersections at speed and never once gear down or slow, all their trust is in the green light. Sooner or later they find out about that one.

Well said and I completely agree with all of it.

[pearlblue1800]

It would be interesting to see how many of these deaths may have been determined to have been preventable.
Now I am not insinuating distracted driving may have provided a catalyst for a collision, any time any where.

What would be interesting, is having the opinion of medical professionals.

1.Was the death preventable had the injured party taken steps to mitigate the severity of any possible injury should a collision occur?
2. How many deaths could be directly attributed to blunt force trauma of an unprotected skull.

[mrao108]

I had a near close call going up the tollway past the 635 point around midnight. Driver in far left lane slowly swerved to cut me off (I'm sure s/he didn't see me) and I honked and moved over to avoid a side swipe at 80mph.... It's all good....must always ride super attentively and like everyone's trying to kill ya.....didn't take it personally....I've come to expect it. ATGATT

[1096dad]

I do not worry about them, I just watch them. At all pull outs, all intersections, keep your head on a pivot. One eye behind you, and expect them to pull out in front of you.

Those just beyond a big truck waiting to turn left, especially watch them. They do not see that motorcycle coming up beside the truck, if you can take the right lane in that instance.

I figure if I run into a vehicle it was my own fault.

Makes no difference if you are right or wrong, not when you are hurt or dead.

You just have to learn to watch them. Expect them to pull out in front of you or zip around you and hit the brakes.

They are not going to do anything with cell phones, at least nothing that makes any sense like it will not operate at say over 5 mph. Oh gosh no, that infringes on the rights of those who have the right to tell others they have no rights.

So all you can do is become a super defensive rider and expect them to be a hazard.

I see a lot of motorcycle riders locally come through intersections at speed and never once gear down or slow, all their trust is in the green light. Sooner or later they find out about that one.

+1 on what Kit said. I have a couple of policies that I always follow when riding (or driving the cage for that matter). 1: Ride/Drive like you are invisible. 2: Never EVER underestimate the stupidity of the other guy.

[hparsons]

I had a near close call going up the tollway past the 635 point around midnight. Driver in far left lane slowly swerved to cut me off (I'm sure s/he didn't see me) and I honked and moved over to avoid a side swipe at 80mph.... It's all good....must always ride super attentively and like everyone's trying to kill ya.....didn't take it personally....I've come to expect it. ATGATT

I can't remember the last time I had a week go by that I didn't have at least one of these "lane incursions". I too ride in the DFW area, but my bike is my daily transportation to work (35 miles each way, from mid-cities to SMU), so I have lots of "opportunities to practice diligence".

[Solidbob]

Live South of Ft. Worth and 5 years ago I gave up riding in the DFW area, just to dangerous. We have lots of people moving to Texas and they mostly are not the best drivers and have no patience & will run you down and run off. Flashing / Blinking lights just seem to give them a target. Then there's the Texting , Emailing and Talking expert drivers most of which will damn near stop in their lane to answer or respond while you have a panic attack trying to avoid the 50MPH driver in the 65 MPH lane.... Saturday my neighbor had a HOG Meeting and ride for dinner in Ft Worth they left the dealership in West Ft Worth and headed East on 820 to South I35W, this is a two lane exit to I35W and they (12 Riders & Bikes) were in the right lane...a mini van came flying by them striking a concrete divider and throwing the van & passangers into the right lane just in front of the first rider..... lets just say (9 went down... 6 transported to Hospital... 2 treated at the scene... and 1 didn't go home..... over 80K in Harley damage... 2 still in hospital. Officer that was at the scene said the lady's cell phones / oh she had two in use / one was still on a cell call and the other still had a unsent Text on screen.... 3 people in the van walked away / Un- Insured Illegals / no speekey no english..... 2 of them were already gone, driver had a broken arm....

That's my reason for not riding in our area....when we go on trips or vacations on the trike, we never take an Interstate and have a much more pleasant trip... still have to drive defensive but it is always safer... we even have lane splitter / maybe splatter / motorcycle riders now in the area, against the law here!!!