INTERSECTION DOUBLE TROUBLE

OFF THE WIRE
INTERSECTION DOUBLE TROUBLE
by John Del Santo
Would you like to meet new people and try some exciting death-defying aerobatics ? No, not Bungee Jumping, just roll on into that next intersection ! In any urban area about half of all collisions happen at intersections…most of them because someone did the wrong thing at a yield, stop sign or red light. A high percentage of motorcycle collisions occur when a car driver makes a bad left turn…Watch them !

When you are going through a crowded intersection try staying as much out in the open as possible where you are visible to everyone. We will be in someone’s blind spot about a thousand time a day, but the trick is to stay there as short a time as possible…drop back or move forward. One of the worst blind spots on a big truck is just off the right-front fender. Also, if you are next to the truck or behind it, if you can’t see the truck driver’s face in the mirror, He or she can’t see you. Can you make eye-contact with a driver at the next intersection ? If not, consider that car to be double trouble.

Anyone changing lanes in an intersection creates a hazard. Many people doing a “Right On Red” forget the part of the law that requires ”After a full stop and after yielding to anyone close enough to be a hazard”. These are the same people who think a Stop Sign means “slow down”… a Yield sign doesn’t mean much at all…and a Yellow Light means “Go Real Fast”.

Tailgating is a chronic and dangerous habit…If you need to make a sudden stop at an intersection, you can expect someone to be close behind you…Very close ! Many bikes are hit while stopped at a red light… As you are stopping, check the mirrors and flash your brake lights if you think the person coming in behind you needs waking up…Be ready to move out if you feel that it is necessary ! Many drivers just don’t see motorcycles… We are shaped like pedestrians, so should catch peoples attention, but for some reason we really don’t register. It‘s kind of like an airplane in the sky… People may hear it… they may look at it…but they don’t really “see” it. Look at that car at the next intersection waiting to make a left turn…Are his wheel straight or already turned ? Does he look aware and awake ? Do you think he “sees” you ?

If you expect everyone at the next intersection to make absolutely the worst possible mistake, then you are ready and can be pleasantly surprised when they don’t. Now you have a better chance of getting through that intersection with both wheels on the ground. Be Aware and… Ride Safe !


John Del Santo