Page last modified: 09/01/10

Looking back, I remember that I was angry right before everything became quiet. (the key word in this story is “angry.”)  I was upset that it was Friday night, and once again, I had to work a twelve-hour shift because a co-worker of mine, who normally worked third shift, called-in sick. Worse yet, it had just started to rain, so there went my 3-hour wash and wax job on my Gold Wing. It was also 2:00 am – closing time for the local taverns. My attitude toward motorcycle safety really changed after that dreadful night in 1984.

There’s not much to tell.  I was in a hurry, it was raining, and I was upset about having to work late. The car I was following north out of town suddenly pulled over onto the shoulder of the road. At that point a caution flag should have gone up for me. It was also raining at that same time the local taverns were closing the doors - that should have thrown-up another flag…but it didn’t.  I wasn’t thinking clearly, because as I had stated earlier, I was angry.

I remember swinging extra wide to the left to give the driver of the car more room. I couldn’t believe what happened next. The driver did a hard 180 to the left in order to head-back into town.  I suppose I was traveling close to 55 MPH when it happened. With no time to react, the driver-side door was suddenly in my path. The collision was violent. I plowed straight into the car. The bike actually stayed upright after the collision because the car was wrapped-around my motorcycle.  Fortunately, I was launched over the car - not against it.  I broke through the bike’s windshield, and caught my legs and feet on the edge of the car’s roof before I was launched into the air.  I flew 52 feet through the air and landed face down onto the shoulder of the southbound lane. Suddenly, it was quiet.

I was lucky - only two broken toes, and a slight concussion. I had a cracked full-face helmet, a missing tennis shoe, and a totally destroyed Gold Wing. It was the first, and only time, I rode in an ambulance.

Incredibly, the car’s occupants were not seriously injured. (one occupant had glass in her eyes)

I found out later that the driver was coming back from a bachelorette party. There were five girls in the car – and they all had been drinking. Ironically, the girl who was getting married was the driver. She was heading out of town to bring one of her bride maids home when someone in the back seat yelled that “she” wanted to be taken home first.  The driver stated that before she made her U-turn to head back into town, she looked into her rear view mirror, but she didn’t see me. She also said that when she looked into her rear view mirror, she remembered “seeing the lights from town reflecting off the rain soaked highway.”  The problem was that one of those lights she saw in her rear view mirror was the headlight from my motorcycle !

It took a long time for me to realize, and admit, that my accident was preventable. I was not thinking clearly because I was upset about the rain, and I was angry about having to work late. Anger, and riding motorcycles, can be a deadly mix.

Looking back, it is easy to see where I went wrong. A car full of people cruising-around at 2 o’clock in the morning should have should have been an indicator of possible trouble. A vehicle that suddenly pulled-over to the side of the road should have been another indicator….a wet road should have gotten my attention, but it didn’t. My angered state-of-mind had affected my ability to think straight.

For years, I’ve wanted to share this story with others so they could learn from my mistake. Is there a lesson to be learned here?  Well, I don’t think I would be writing this story if I hadn’t been wearing a helmet. I was also wearing a leather jacket, which helped to prevent road rash to my upper body.  If I had been wearing shoes that laced-up past my ankles, they might have stayed on my feet, which might have prevented my broken toes. Obviously, I didn’t leave enough distance between me, and the car I was following. These days, I take no chances. I just assume that the “other guy” can’t see me. Period.

I pay attention to what is happening, and I pay special attention to the environment around me – especially when nightfall sets in, or if it is raining. I also remind myself how important it is to keep a clear head and a proper state of mind....and how things like anger and frustration can lead to disaster when you’re on a motorcycle.