Another scooter rider in our area was killed when hit by a car Thursday afternoon. In this case, the rider was preparing to turn left into her driveway and was struck from behind by a car.
In response to this, a friend of mine wrote and posted the following on Facebook. Rick has ridden motorcycles for years and has many stories to tell. He's also been a riding test administrator, fire fighter, scuba diver, skydiver and has had other adventurous occupations and hobbies, so he knows a thing or two about safety. This may be a little long, but please read and share with your friends, especially those who drive cages.
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Just this week in my area, a 33 year old women riding a scooter was turning into her driveway when she was struck from behind by another women driving a car. The 33 year old was pronounced dead at the scene. One life lost and most likely another life devastated. Why?
I'm constantly hearing from my non-motorcyclist acquaintances about the dangers involved in riding a motorcycle and the same comments would by default also apply to scooters. But what my sometimes well meaning friends never seem to realize is that the main reason riding a motorcycle can be dangerous is because of them.
A fact that can't really be argued because it has been studied and studied again is that 75% of motorcycle accidents involve two vehicles. In 69%-75% of those two vehicle accidents, the fault for the accident lies with the operator of the other vehicle who fails to yield the right of way of the motorcycle; most typically by turning left in front of an oncoming bike or pulling out in the pathway of a bike.
The typical statement made by the driver of the vehicle is that they didn't see the motorcycle. That may be true but it isn't relevant because as the driver of a vehicle you are 100% responsible for observing all types of vehicles that may be operating on a road. The statement is an excuse and also an admission by the driver that they weren't looking for other vehicles and therefore failed to see what was clearly in sight. Its a form of intentional blindness where a driver fails to operate their vehicle to the standards required and expected.
This lackadaisical and substandard operating of a vehicle under their control is a major reason why it can be dangerous to ride a two wheel motorized vehicle which is why virtually every motorcyclist operates their bikes under the theory that every car on the road is out to kill them. Some would call this paranoia, but a person isn't paranoid when there are people who will through their own inattention, kill you. It is a perfectly reasonable attitude under the circumstances and it isn't the bike riders who are responsible for it.
Scooter riders in many cases operate at an even greater disadvantages because their machines may be smaller and may travel at speeds below the posted limits. At least most motorcycles are capable of traveling at the same speed as regular traffic. Automobile drivers often consider scooters and for that matter bicycle riders a hindrance to their God Given rights to proceed unhindered.
In this they fail to take into account that both have a perfectly legal right of access to the road and by operating the larger, faster and potentially more dangerous vehicle, it is the automobile driver upon whom the greater responsibility lies. It is a responsibility that a large number of drivers seem to ignore or explain away by making totally fraudulent claims to a greater right of access on the roads. It's almost like saying; "Well they slowed me down so I have a right to kill them." If that isn't it, then what is it? At the very least, it is a pathological attitude.
In fact any vehicle with an engine 50cc's or bigger that operates on Indiana roads is required to be registered and have tags. They pay an appropriate tax on both the license and fuel they use and the operators are required and have a special endorsement to operate their vehicle. I'll also tell you that if car drivers had to take a test of similar difficulty to operate their cars as their two wheeled counterparts, there would be a lot fewer drivers on the road.
As problematic as all this is and it most certainly is; this doesn't include the legions of intentionally impaired drivers hurling their multi-ton vehicles around roads while impaired to the same degree as a legally drunk driver; in other words people driving while talking on cell phones.
Last time I bothered to look there were over 30 scientifically conducted studies which universally concluded that driving while using a cell phone impaired a driver to the same degree as a driver with a blood alcohol of 0.08 or legally drunk. Ask any motorcyclist of their experience with cell phone yakking drivers and 99% will have a story. Better yet, just ask anyone who drives a car. And by the way, hands free calling doesn't improve the stats. It is the focus on the conversation, not the method of the call that is the problem.
Drivers will steal the keys from a friend who has been drinking and give them a ride home and while doing so will think nothing of calling their friend on the cell phone about what they are doing....DUH! Virtually every habitual cell phone user/driver I know will say they aren't impaired which reminds me of every drunk I know as well.
If it were up to me, everyone who uses a cell phone while driving would have their licenses suspended for a year and forced to take a responsible driver course. Maybe we need training films like Blood on the Droid or Massacre on Motorola to get the point across. The facts are in and people are just ignoring them which tells me that a person who continues to use a cell phone and drive really doesn't give a hoot about anyone else but themselves. Give me one reason why a person who does this isn't saying to everyone; "My phone call is more important than your life or welfare."
Some people have gotten really angry with me about my views on cell phone usage and you know what, I don't care because that person has already demonstrated to me that they aren't concerned about anyone except themselves. I will continue to push for bans until cell phone usage while driving is as unacceptable as drunk driving.
So to well meaning friends, before you get on your soapbox, stop and take an accounting of your own actions, then come back and maybe we will have a serious talk. But until car drivers accept their responsibility when operating cars, I don't care to hear what you think.
Rick Williams 10/29/11
