Learning from accidents

[rocketman1]

It is simple to think that you park behind a van , truck, or vehicle that cannot see you because you cannot see its mirrors.
Well you in big trouble if it reverses. A friend followed a truck & trailer off a motorway off ramp overseas, truck stops, bike stop right behind it.
Truck for some reason, decides he has gone off the wrong ramp, and is reversing up over the bikes and the riders, luckliy one of the bikers got off his bike and ran up to the driver just in time. Can happen that quick.
Moral... be seen ....always

[eldog]

There were 1 or 2 cycling deaths in ChCh last year due to truck drivers not seeing them as they have multiple blind spots

I learnt a lot when I first started to drive a truck.
Amazing what you can't seen when you sit in the drivers seat of a big truck, Everyone should try it, esp a truck and trailer.

Get in sit down, get someone to walk around the whole thing, get them to pretend they are in another lane next to you.
see how little you can see, that's why truck is sometimes don't see you if they are trying to change lanes. I try and ride either behind or in front of other vehicles which are in the lane next to me.
an experienced rider told me once keep out of centre lane for this very reason.

Then if you get the opportunity go for a small drive LOADED say at 50kph then see how long it takes to S T O P. I remember my first time, everytime I drive a truck, so I plan ahead, a long way ahead.


It should be part of the car license to get that experience.

[swbarnett]

It is simple to think that you park behind a van , truck, or vehicle that cannot see you because you cannot see its mirrors.
Well you in big trouble if it reverses. A friend followed a truck & trailer off a motorway off ramp overseas, truck stops, bike stop right behind it.
Truck for some reason, decides he has gone off the wrong ramp, and is reversing up over the bikes and the riders, luckliy one of the bikers got off his bike and ran up to the driver just in time. Can happen that quick.
Moral... be seen ....always

NEVER assume you can be seen. The mistake this biker made was stopping behind the truck in such a way that they couldn't get out of the truck's way. This is why I'm always to one side of the vehicle in front if stopped in a queue. This will also save you if the vehicle that comes up behind you doesn't stop.

[pritch]

Then if you get the opportunity go for a small drive LOADED say at 50kph then see how long it takes to S T O P. I remember my first time, everytime I drive a truck, so I plan ahead, a long way ahead.

I was at a meeting once, reps from most big businesses and govt departments in the city discussing safety. I asked about the possibility of driver training; the drivers where I worked were less than confidence inspiring. Vehicles from one of the bigger concerns were driven uniformly badly - so badly they removed all company logos from the vehicles. My idea was that if enough major players combined we could get one of the professional driver training organisations to visit the town and conduct pratical training on some suitable expanse of seal.

During the subsequent discussion one of the local fire officers said that their "white vehicle" drivers go to Manfield for training and the fire truck drivers go to Ohakea and use the runway, mainly to teach them how long it takes to stop a loaded fire truck.

[caspernz]

Then if you get the opportunity go for a small drive LOADED say at 50kph then see how long it takes to S T O P. I remember my first time, everytime I drive a truck, so I plan ahead, a long way ahead.

There's other issues at play here though. A properly trained driver vs a mere licence holder, then an old tech truck vs a modern one.

So take a modern disc braked ABS/EBS truck. The nut behind the wheel becomes the problem, because that new gear pulls up so damn well that the poorly trained (or aggro) driver can end up driving it like a car...well, because it's pretty damn close.

As a group truckies aren't bad, but just like bikers...the tendency to blame the other road user first and foremost just makes me laugh.

But yeah, take an old truck loaded to the gunnels and it's a hair raising experience, I sure as heck don't miss those days.

[BMWST?]

There's other issues at play here though. A properly trained driver vs a mere licence holder, then an old tech truck vs a modern one.

So take a modern disc braked ABS/EBS truck. The nut behind the wheel becomes the problem, because that new gear pulls up so damn well that the poorly trained (or aggro) driver can end up driving it like a car...well, because it's pretty damn close.

As a group truckies aren't bad, but just like bikers...the tendency to blame the other road user first and foremost just makes me laugh.

But yeah, take an old truck loaded to the gunnels and it's a hair raising experience, I sure as heck don't miss those days.

i bet that with all the mod cons those big 40 and 50 tonners still take an ice age to stop.The blind spot thing is poor too with more mirrors and small cameras available now there is no excuse for rearward blind spots or blind spot adjacent to the cab.This is not blaming truck drivers,but is for the safety orf other road users round these giants.

[Akzle]

This is not blaming truck drivers,but is for the safety orf other road users round these giants.

fuck other road users. they're small. (and mostly fucking retarded)

it's up to other road users to engage a bit of fucken brain, realise that trucks are big and heavy and made of metal and will fuck your day up if you do something stupid in front of them.

[caseye]

fuck other road users. they're small. (and mostly fucking retarded)

it's up to other road users to engage a bit of fucken brain, realise that trucks are big and heavy and made of metal and will fuck your day up if you do something stupid in front of them.

Wot E said! Do NOT stop behind any thing bigger than you without making absolutely sure that the driver can see you! It Is That SIMPLE People.
Take fucking responsibility for your self first and foremost, then half of all motorcycle accidents will stop happening overnight, don't believe me?
Tough shit cause so many bikers think they're the bees knees they will never do it, even if it meant they'd be alive tomorrow.
That's the other problem we have, so many bikers think they are much better than they really are.

[eldog]

fuck other road users. they're small. (and mostly fucking retarded)

it's up to other road users to engage a bit of fucken brain, realise that trucks are big and heavy and made of metal and will fuck your day up if you do something stupid in front of them.

It was my original, maybe obscure, point that larger vehicles should be treated with respect.
i occasionally work in quarries, and make a effort to make myself visible to each DRIVER/operator as I move around the site.

i also use 'Might is Right' if its bigger than you make an effort to be noticed and position yourself (even stop/reverse) so you can take evasive action if required. most people just dont realise what limitations larger vehicles have (including those SUV drivers).

And I have driven a few of those modern high HP trucks - too easy just like a car.

[eldog]

Wot E said! Do NOT stop behind any thing bigger than you without making absolutely sure that the driver can see you! It Is That SIMPLE People.
Take fucking responsibility for your self first and foremost, then half of all motorcycle accidents will stop happening overnight, don't believe me?
Tough shit cause so many bikers think they're the bees knees they will never do it, even if it meant they'd be alive tomorrow.
That's the other problem we have, so many bikers think they are much better than they really are.

Be SAFE Be SEEN.

I always position myself so I am NOT immediately behind the vehicle in front, either to the right so I can move forwrd if someone fails to stop behind or approx 2m behind so I have al least some room in case they roll back. I have also learnt to keep the bike in gear unless really sure(2 stopped cars behind). Never know if someone fails to see you and stop (had this one).

Dont try and second guess other road users.

[nzspokes]

There's other issues at play here though. A properly trained driver vs a mere licence holder, then an old tech truck vs a modern one.

So take a modern disc braked ABS/EBS truck. The nut behind the wheel becomes the problem, because that new gear pulls up so damn well that the poorly trained (or aggro) driver can end up driving it like a car...well, because it's pretty damn close.

As a group truckies aren't bad, but just like bikers...the tendency to blame the other road user first and foremost just makes me laugh.

But yeah, take an old truck loaded to the gunnels and it's a hair raising experience, I sure as heck don't miss those days.

I used to drive some D and N series Fords back in the day, swap bodys. Interesting experience. Thus ended my truck driving career.

Didnt squash anybody so cant have been that bad.

[FJRider]

Be SAFE Be SEEN.

I always position myself so I am NOT immediately behind the vehicle in front, either to the right so I can move forwrd if someone fails to stop behind or approx 2m behind so I have al least some room in case they roll back. I have also learnt to keep the bike in gear unless really sure(2 stopped cars behind). Never know if someone fails to see you and stop (had this one).

Dont try and second guess other road users.

On a motorcycle .... If you can see the driver in THEIR mirror ... they should be able to see your headlight and YOU.

[eldog]

On a motorcycle .... If you can see the driver in THEIR mirror ... they should be able to see your headlight and YOU.

not all use their mirrors, some ONLY look straight ahead, even when merging onto a road.
yes they SHOULD be able to see you, thats why i have added more lights

[FJRider]

not all use their mirrors, some ONLY look straight ahead, even when merging onto a road.
yes they SHOULD be able to see you, thats why i have added more lights

I added an air horn ... very effective for getting attention.

[eldog]

I added an air horn ... very effective for getting attention.

lights on all the time, need time to decide to push air horn, no doubt effective though, I have fitted one to my next bike already.

would a loud pipe be effective too?