Another Brush With Death

[Billy Ricks]

Basically its unsafe not to speed once in a while around here, I speed up on pretty much all lane shifts as I can see in front of me way better than behind so if I go 10-20 mph faster than the guy next to me and pass him then change lanes I should be pretty sure no one will slide before me, but I do check 2 lanes over for the far right passers. Oh and many highways here have legal use of the breakdown lane during rush hours so that complicates the right side a LOT more.

I've driven the outskirts of Boston during rush hour and having people use the shoulder takes some getting used to. Our inner loop has as many a 6 lanes on some stretches. You do have to keep track of what is going on 2 lanes over to keep from getting mashed. Sometimes even watching 2 lanes isn't enough if people decide to exit from the far left or head for the fast lane from the far right.

[tkent02]

I was south bound on I-71 between Cincinnati and Louisville. I was in the left lane doing about 75mph. I checked my mirrors and turned on my right turn signal in preparation for changing into the right lane. The right lane was clear so I started to move over. All of a sudden a large, red 18 wheeler was about a foot from my license plate, in the left lane. He blasted his air horns.

Not sure I am understanding this correctly. You are dawdling along in the passing lane while not passing anyone, a truck in the passing lane plans to pass you, when you turn on the signal to move over he does pass you, you move over a little too slowly and get honked at. Sounds like he mistimed it a little bit, no big deal. I'm thinking the honking was good for you in this case, better than a light tap. In aggressive traffic, ride aggressively. Waiting until you get honked at to move is probably not being aggressive enough. If your skills aren't up to it, find a different road.

Sure you have the right to be there, but you don't have any right to block traffic in a passing lane.

[ddaniels]

Not sure I am understanding this correctly. You are dawdling along in the passing lane while not passing anyone, a truck in the passing lane plans to pass you, when you turn on the signal to move over he does pass you, you move over a little too slowly and get honked at. Sounds like he mistimed it a little bit, no big deal. I'm thinking the honking was good for you in this case, better than a light tap. In aggressive traffic, ride aggressively. Waiting until you get honked at to move is probably not being aggressive enough. If your skills aren't up to it, find a different road.

Sure you have the right to be there, but you don't have any right to block traffic in a passing lane.

Man!!! A bit harsh don't you think?? How'd you like some big friggin' semi to do that to you dude. I think you'd have a different perspective. Do us a favor and wise up, ease off and keep you negative opinions to yourself.

[tkent02]

Man!!! A bit harsh don't you think?? How'd you like some big friggin' semi to do that to you dude. I think you'd have a different perspective. Do us a favor and wise up, ease off and keep you negative opinions to yourself.

Cars, trucks, they've been playing this way and killing riders this way for decades. How could you expect anything less? Poking around in the fast lane is a great way to get smashed, it always will be.
If my negative opinion keeps some other rider in one piece, it's good. If you don't like my opinion, don't read it.

[ddaniels]

Cars, trucks, they've been playing this way and killing riders this way for decades. How could you expect anything less? Poking around in the fast lane is a great way to get smashed, it always will be.
If my negative opinion keeps some other rider in one piece, it's good. If you don't like my opinion, don't read it.

It's kind of hard not to read it when I'm already in the thread and interested in it. Your point is well taken, but I think your lack of sensitivity, in light of his recent "brush with death" was uncalled for.

[tkent02]

It's kind of hard not to read it when I'm already in the thread and interested in it. Your point is well taken, but I think your lack of sensitivity, in light of his recent "brush with death" was uncalled for.

My wife says that all the time. Perhaps my sense of sensitivity is lacking.

[earlfor]

It's kind of hard not to read it when I'm already in the thread and interested in it. Your point is well taken, but I think your lack of sensitivity, in light of his recent "brush with death" was uncalled for.

I have to agree with Tkent on this. The "brush with death" appears to be self inflicted. LOL Who drives/rides in the left lane at 75 mph? Regardless of what lane you're in on a bike, if you have 18 wheelers catching you and following closely or trying to pass, you're going too damn SLOW! If you're paying attention like you should be, there is no freaking way a semi is going to sneak up your butt.

Earl

[ddaniels]

[QUOTE=mixongw;1292776] All of a sudden a large, red 18 wheeler was about a foot from my license plate, in the left lane. He blasted his air horns. I quickly moved over the the right lane. So quickly, in fact, that I nearly lost control. The semi then came over into the right lane forcing me to take the exit at Carrolton, KY. [QUOTE]

Frankly, I think there's something wrong if a semi is a foot from your license plate, regardless of what you may be doing. If indeed the story is accurate, the truck driver put the rider's life in jeopardy, which should be a punishable offense in my opinion. Additionally, if he is a foot from your license plate, and then blasts his horn at you, now he's pushed things beyond a reasonable act. Actually, being a foot from your license plate is unreasonable. To me, the proper thing to do, for the truck driver, is to pull up behind the rider, say a couple car lengths behind, and either flash his lights or give a friendly tug on the horn. At least that way, he is not putting somebody's life on the line. Regardless of the situation, anybody who deliberately rides up my arse when I'm on the bike, is putting my life in danger and asking for trouble. I'm just sayin'.... Of course the whole situation depends on the accuracy of the story.

[tkent02]

[QUOTE=ddaniels;1294283][QUOTE=mixongw;1292776] All of a sudden a large, red 18 wheeler was about a foot from my license plate, in the left lane. He blasted his air horns. I quickly moved over the the right lane. So quickly, in fact, that I nearly lost control. The semi then came over into the right lane forcing me to take the exit at Carrolton, KY.

Frankly, I think there's something wrong if a semi is a foot from your license plate, regardless of what you may be doing. If indeed the story is accurate, the truck driver put the rider's life in jeopardy, which should be a punishable offense in my opinion. Additionally, if he is a foot from your license plate, and then blasts his horn at you, now he's pushed things beyond a reasonable act. Actually, being a foot from your license plate is unreasonable. To me, the proper thing to do, for the truck driver, is to pull up behind the rider, say a couple car lengths behind, and either flash his lights or give a friendly tug on the horn. At least that way, he is not putting somebody's life on the line. Regardless of the situation, anybody who deliberately rides up my arse when I'm on the bike, is putting my life in danger and asking for trouble. I'm just sayin'.... Of course the whole situation depends on the accuracy of the story.

All true, very bad behavior on the part of the truck driver. Sure he should be in jail, sure he is a very bad man. As a rider we should see this as normal, and actions like this should be expected from every other vehicle out there. If some of them do better, that's a bonus, enough of them will do worse. Sometimes they are honest mistakes, sometimes from not paying any attention to their driving, perhaps sometimes they are deliberate acts, who is to say if the driver actually saw the bike or not? I am not condoning the actions of the truck driver, but it is what they do at times. Does it really matter who is right or wrong if you end up dead?
If a full size truck can get that close without being noticed, the rider's situational awareness was not anywhere near what it needs to be.
Before you go out to play on the freeway, get in the right frame of mind.

[Truth]

I think Tkent's sig line is good advice. I used to hang back behind packs of cars, but quickly realized that when I do that, I find myself in the middle of another pack. It's easier to keep em in my mirrors, well in front.

[Allie]

There's actually not enough description to form any hard and fast notions about it, except that yes SA is top priority on the highway, and often more difficult than other situations. The bottom line is NEVER let a vehicle get that close to you, especially a big truck. You missed it somehow that time, I'm sure you won't do it again, no need to hammer the point.

As far as going to fast or slow, we don't really know. What was the speed limit on the highway? How many cars were around you, how were they positioned? Was anyone directly in front of you? Did the semi really come up on you at 100mph or did it creep up on you and you missed it because you were focused elsewhere?

Okay it's no secret that Tkent could benefit from sensitivity training, and Earlfor is a speed crazed maniac , but both usually bring up good points. Oh and as mentioned, head checks are mandatory, always always always, even in your car.

[ddaniels]

To be clear, I am not discrediting anything Tkent has said. His points are all valid. My problem was with his delivery considering what the poor guy had just gone through. It came across like, "You stupid idiot! What're you doing on the left side of the road anyway?!" I guess my internal protective mechanism kicked in and maybe I overreacted a bit to his first post. I think the whole purpose of the thread was to vent and maybe get a little support. But yeah, I do find it a little curious how a big "red" truck can just all of a sudden be on your tail when you had just finised checking the mirrors. Seems unlikely. Anyway, the bottom line for me is, I feel bad for what he went through, but definitely try to be more aware of what's going on around you; especially when your life depends on it. I've traveled I-71 between Cincinnatti and Louisville many many times and the only place where I can see this happening is when I-71 and I-75 are the same road, which is about 20 miles or so. Very high traffic through that area. But once I-71 splits off and heads to Louisville, traffic really isn't that bad at all until you get close to Louisville.

[earlfor]

To be clear, I am not discrediting anything Tkent has said. His points are all valid. My problem was with his delivery considering what the poor guy had just gone through.

On the other side of the coin, if Tom had said, "Oh you poor dear, let me get you a tissue", nothing would have been remembered of the reply. I think now there is a better chance of traffic to the rear being watched with increased awareness. Being run over by a semi is going to feel about the same regardless of which direction it hits you from. Even then, knowing where someone is is only half the problem. You must know where they are going to be, and that means PAY ATTENTION. I believe that is the point Tom was trying to get across.

Earl

[ddaniels]

Like I said.....I have no argument with Tom's points. All good and useful.
-end of rant-

[AF_Bill]

I will admit that there are times when I see a car/truck/whatever in my mirrors one sec, then turn my head and they are right behind me. I have the oh sh!t moment just like we all do. Then I realize, I was focusing on the idiot in the lane infront or next to me who's talkin on their cell, changing the radio, gettin roadhead, eating, or something else that seems WAY MORE IMPORTANT than paying attention to the road. It happens, we adapt and adjust to the situation, and learn from them all.