Roethlisberger crash: It's not the lack of helmet, it's the Right-of-Way Violation! (Long Vanity)

Well made points, especially about left turning drivers and others who fail to yeild the right of way.

I might add, though, that merely being able to afford a motorcycle is no guarantee of being able to operate it.

The rider was driving sans endorsement, and should have taken the time to have that credential in place.

Most seasoned riders will be anticipating just such a maneuver on the part of cagers who have hidden behind "But officer, I didn't see him." for far too long--it is by no means confined to PA.

Headlight laws (daytime headlights on for motorcycles) were designed to help assist in making motorcycles more visible, but daytime running lights on other vehicles have negated that advantage.

Which leaves us with two main defenses: driving defensively and obnoxiously loud pipes. While the former is not perfect, it helps, the latter... Well, if you are pissing them off, at least they know you are there. YMMV

Ride like everyone's out to kill you.

I do.

Yep, that was my attitude when I rode. The lady broke the law. Ben went to the hospital. We used to say in the sailing game:

He was right, dead right,
As he sailed along,
But he's just as dead
As if he'd been wrong.

Don't expect the newspapers to ever get the story right - especially if there's celebrity involved. He's interesting because he's famous. She's neither.

As for bikes and helmets. Here in Texas, we aren't required to wear helments, and in 100 degree weather that's a blessing.

Having said that - I was annoyed by the headline of this article. Yes, it's true but it's the wrong point.

Here's the point -

You can't control what some moron in a car will do.

What can you control?

Whether or not you're wearing gloves and a helment.

Seems simple to me.

I ride a 94' Nostalgia Heritage and have a lot of money put into it and plan to keep it looking sharp. I ride like a paranoid schizophrenic and that fact has kept me out of several possible accidents already. I ride with a helmet and gloves, sometimes leathers if the heat is not unbearable, and have my daughter do the same when we're riding. The adage of its not if someone pulls in front of you, its when, is appropriate.

How fast was he driving? If you are going 60 in a 35 zone, driving a low profile vehicle like a motorcycle, by the time an elderly or older driver sees you coming, it may be too late. Most M'cycle riders realize that they are cloaked in invisibility to drivers in cages.

Witnesses said he did not appear to be speeding in the 35 mph zone. Once the accident reconstruction is complete we'll have a better idea of the speeds of both vehicles. I personally believe in wearing a full face helmet and armored gloves and jacket. That's what I wear every time I mount up. Having said that, I believe he ought to wear a helmet but I respect his right under PA law to choose not to.

The fact still remains that it's Mrs. Fleishman's responsibility as the driver preparing to enter the path of oncoming trafffic to fully ensure the road is clear before making her decision to turn. She did not and thus should be charged with Failure to Yield Right of Way.

Riders can do everything in their power to protect themselves with proper equipment and riding defensively. But what do you do after all that and a driver still violates the Right of Way? Drivers must be held accountable for their actions. That's what the AMA is trying to do by advocating increased penalties for drivers who injure or kill motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists. By the way I'm a firm believer this applies to motorcyclists as well and I ride accordingly (just practicing what I preach).

It's easy to do. Just take a couple of extra seconds to look before turning. Look twice-save a life. We all need to slow down a little bit in our lives anyway.

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