INVISIBLE

[JHScoot]

Here is a little thread to share those close calls, near misses, and moments of clarity on the road that we have remembered and learned from. Even if the lesson is simply to remember we really and truly are INVISIBLE out there.

My own "moment" came this morning. I was riding to an appointment, early. It's a busy street, fast moving traffic, no left hand turn lane, lots of oncoming traffic. I am no fool. No way am I going to sit there on a scooter waiting to turn left with two ton traffic bearing down on me from behind.

So, I decide to ride to the next left hand turn lane. oops...backed up into the primary lanes. So I go around it and make a right turn instead, go around the block and make a left on my way to my destination. I will now make a right turn to arrive at my destination instead of a left.

I am behind a Jeep Cherokee in the left hand lane. Open lane beside me and I will be turning right, so I move over. All is well with my day. Until....

The Jeep approaches an intersection a block from my turn. I am around three seconds behind the Jeep. A person is waiting to turn LEFT in the oncoming left hand turn lane. The Jeep proceeds almost into the intersection. The oncoming car TURNS LEFT IN FRONT OF IT!

The Jeep hits it's brakes, leaves a long skid, tires smoking, and slides to the right in the direction of the turning car. It comes literally within INCHES of t-boning the car as the Jeep was unable to properly slow, much less stop. By this time I have hit my brakes, also. But being three seconds behind did not have to stop. It happened just that fast. But I was certain in those seconds I was going to witness a horrible crash with a terrible outcome and wasn't about to go sliding into it.

However, what really grabbed me and stuck was this: I got a real GOOD look at the offending driver in the early 90's Buick as he completed his turn. In fact, he passed right in front of me. And through it all he never turned, never blinked, never looked, and didn't react....to anything. He simply made his turn, very casual. And I realized at that moment he never saw us. And maybe I would understand if it's ME he doesn't notice. But it's a two ton truck he managed not to see. And if THAT is invisible to some....well, we stand little chance oft times of being anything but.

It's just the sort of thing that makes me think of fate. Or something like it. If I had been in front of the Jeep? Or maybe just a few seconds faster in my commute? Maybe I left my house three seconds earlier? Ah yes, the "maybe's." Can't really live like that, though. Still, food for riding thought....

So, remember. INVISIBLE. It is without doubt your very best defense to realize this imho. Fully. And keep those peepers peeled

[Mutt the Hoople]

[Capt_Don]

Maybe he did not see you, or maybe he did and was doing the whole, "if I don't look it did not happen thing."

The other week I was riding down Gravois Rd, here in STL, and I moved into the left lane to take a left turn at the next intersection. So as I got ready to pass her she just changes lanes. I know from being there that she did not check her mirrors or do a head check. I did a quick hit of my brakes and fell in behind her with my horn blaring. She looked at me like I was the loon. When we got to the lights I yelled, "those mirrors are there for a reason sweetcakes!"

[DanielPerrin]

... I yelled, "those mirrors are there for a reason sweetcakes!"

I like the "sweetcakes" technique. That is something that I never learned in the MSF course

[ericalm]

I don't know why we don't have more left turn signals in LA. It's ridiculous.

[JHScoot]

^ That would help so much and make things so much safer for riders and drivers. And these busy avenues that have free flowing traffic with no left hand turn lane much less a light at many intersections? I will not just sit there and wait to get rear ended. It's unnerving

[BootScootin'FireFighter]

that's some serious pucker factor. Not defending the driver, but maybe the Jeep had their left turn signal on momentarily and the driver didn't see you because you were in the flank of the Jeep. Just saying. Still doesn't justify them jumping the turn like that, but if they saw the Jeep possibly considering a left turn at the same intersection, they may have prematurely jumped at an opportunity. We don't know what their intention was. They could really be that arrogant and under the mind set of I don't give a damn, hit me and I'll sue. I tend to believe most people are honestly just stupid and aren't paying enough attention. It's easy to get zoned out in cars now, built for comfort and distractions.

Seriously though, glad to hear that you held it together and got past it.

[tortoise]

Per Hurt Study findings . .

"Most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with shopping, errands, friends, entertainment or recreation, and the accident is likely to happen in a very short time close to the trip origin."

"The most frequent accident configuration is the motorcycle proceeding straight then the automobile makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle."

YouTube example:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e4ctJPOL-9Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[sunshinen]

I, too, am of the mind that most people just make mistakes and don't intend harm. And it is always good for us to remember that if cars collide with other cars all the time... you have to be a very defensive driver on a scooter.

Ironically, I just had a call from someone asking to include me as a witness of a driver turning left in front of a pickup and getting t-boned by the truck.

You could tell by the way the driver went into the turn that he thought he had the right of way. He had a green light in his turn lane and told us that his brain just processed it as a safe-to-turn light (as if a green turn arrow), not a yield-to-oncoming-traffic turn light (solid green). It wasn't a matter of intent, willful negligence, or willful distraction. It was an accident. But if I had hit it on my scooter rather than a couple in a truck (one of whom did go to the hospital for mediocre injuries), it would have been a fatal or very serious accident.

[Scooterboi]

Setup: Double turn lane with Jeep Grand in the left turn lane, me and Buddy in the right turn lane. Across the street (and to the left a ways) was a sign spinner doing his best to get attention.

Action: Light turns green and both of us start taking the turn. The Jeep curves toward me veers into my lane. He takes up half my lane before I can get my horn going. He pulls back into his lane (Thank you Stebel!) and at the next light yells at me all pissed off. To quote, "What's your problem?!?" My reponse, "I have a real problem with you coming into my lane! Expletive!"

Bottomline: Even though: 1) I am wearing a neon yellow MC jacket, white helmet, and orange scooter, 2) had pulled forward all the way in my turn lane to try and catch his eye, and 3) looked right at him and ACTUALLY MADE EYE CONTACT, he never saw me. He was focused on the sign spinner and never even knew he had (literaly and figuratively) crossed the line.

Oblivious driver and the result is my total invisibility. As the man says, Be careful out there!