AARP Driver Safety

Terry S. Vostor
August 21, 2010

Terry S Vostor
http://www.eagleridgegm.com/

Long ago a wise Roman Chariot rider advised his fellow road warriors to "Take warnings from others of what may be to your best advantage. The open road may meander a bit... or even more than a bit. Roadways can be said to attempt to cover all the bases in its one long run. Yet take heed or safety. Take care of safety on the road as a motorcyclist and you will find down the road as an auto or truck driver that the lessons learned in your career as a motorcyclist will do you great stead.

The open road can be said to provide a good solid and relaxed introduction to both the problems and joys of motorcycling. In addition the highways and byways that you traverse will and can provide not only what the beginning driver and rider need - some assurance that it is truly possible not only to survive on two wheels by the application of common sense and acquired knowledge, but to enjoy a more rewarding life and lifetime regardless of its length.

When an analysis of motorcycle accidents are made it is truly significant, that many many mishaps involve solely one vehicle - the motorcycle itself and none other.

What to watch for - firstly holes in the road surface. One driver (while in his new car) was driving home late one night after computer repairs. Prudence was no doubt the watchword. The condition of the roadway surface and surfaces on which any vehicle is traveling is most important to consider in your travel plans and actions and reactions. The motorist had reduced his speed within the legal speed limit , amazingly there was a ghost radar trap car on the road - what a bunch of evil characters and then whomp his front end hit a 36 inch long curved hole in the road. No markings no signs flashing or markings. Yet it was 6 inches deep with a curved leading edge on the way out - all to damage the tire and rim. Imagine if this disaster had occurred on a two wheeled vehicle. One wonders where the "safety officers" of the construction company were. Yet the local traffic authorities would of been all to hasty to issue a speeding violation ticket if above legal speeds were the case. As well as road hazards consider oil, water ,mud ,ice, wet leaves , gravel as well as other lubricating substances. One hazard in the northern states as well as northern Canadian regions are ice and snow that blow off of the tops of transport trucks. This can be a hazard in the northern Alberta Fort McMurray oil sands regions. As a result his car suffered substantial front end damage and damage to his tire rim. There was zero markings on the roadway what so ever.

Pylons had been set up in construction areas 1/2 mile back and 2/3 of a mile forward. When a safety officer of the firm was asked - his answer was that "kids steal pylons all the time". Imagine if you had told your parents such a tale after arriving home late on a Saturday night after carousing. Imagine if this had been a motorcycle that encountered this pothole. Lots of luck. LOL.

Motorists must be prepared to ride and defend himself, herself or themselves from any variety of hazards - in this case some of them not as dangerous to a car , truck or SUV but specifically in this case to motorcycles and scooters. This is a function of the speed and skill of the rider, type of cycle, tire tread patterns, size and shape of the pavement defect. Some of the hazards in the roadway to consider
1)Concrete channels used to drain water at intersections
2)Railroad and city light rail line tacks
3)Various foreign objects - bottles ,cans, lumber ,bricks and the odd schmendrick lying in the middle of the lane. A bike has little stability at low speeds.

Shinder says "Drive Careful". Drive safe. What the beginner rider needs overall is the assurance in his driving and motoring career that it is truly possible to survive as a "road warrior" both as the 4 wheel and two wheel variant.

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