Something's been irritating me.

**James Deuce** · 18th December 2006, 21:45

More than usual.

"Let's be careful.".

I've seen people I know and people I don't implore us all to be careful over the Christmas break.

Careful doesn't cut it folks.

Be skillful and confident, create a safety zone, take charge of your destiny.

Being careful implies a passive approach to a dangerous situation.

Motorcycling is about risk management. You can do that.

For example, this evening I was on the way home from work and saw a plume of diesel smoke appear over the top of a house down a side street to my left.

I pulled over to the curb before I got to the side street and stopped.

Sure enough a bus reversed out of the side street. It's not a street with a bus route either.

I took control of my safety zone. I wasn't careful, I was street smart.

Stop being a bunch of wussies and make the world your own.

**Indiana_Jones** · 18th December 2006, 21:51

.

Originally Posted by Jim2

Stop being a bunch of wussies and make the world your own.

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

"The world, Chico, and everything in it"

-Indy

**Ixion** · 18th December 2006, 21:55

Should we then be careless, instead ? But I know what you mean. Let's say, instead, "Let's be vigilant"

**bell** · 18th December 2006, 22:47

Fair point Jim, we should assume we're invisible. Because to a lot of drivers we are.

**Donor** · 19th December 2006, 06:42

I think "LET'S BE SAFE" covers it personally...

Safety isn't just how we ride, it's also about watching those around us, who are beset on making the roads their own, and taking out anyone around them they fail to see as fellow occupants of what is essentially a bloody small area.

**jetboy** · 19th December 2006, 06:46

No one is safe on these roads...on my way to work today I saw 3 accidents - two of them happened right in front of me (no I wasnt nudging people out of the way)...in fact my sister was involved in an accident yesterday where she was driving on a main road and a learner driver with passenger just pulled out from a stop sign, t-boned her (car...) and wrote the thing off. Just like that.

**yungatart** · 19th December 2006, 07:15

Wise words Jim.
You are right again, of course!

**MisterD** · 19th December 2006, 07:19

It doesn't hurt to be lucky either, so I hope we are all that, as well.

Of course, to paraphrase some golfer or other, the more more we follow Jim's advice, the luckier we are likely to be.

**madmal64** · 19th December 2006, 07:27

A timely reminder to ride with the brain fully engaged.

**Fatjim** · 19th December 2006, 08:05

Originally Posted by yungatart

Wise words Jim.
You are right again, of course!

Don't encourage him!

How come I never see accidents?

Touch wood.

**dawnrazor** · 19th December 2006, 08:38

How about;

"

RIDE LIKE EVERY OTHER MOTHERFUCKER ON THE ROAD WANTS TO KILL YOU

"

**Motu** · 19th December 2006, 09:27

But you don't have to be negative about it,that's a defensive attitude - I prefer to be positive and take a proactive approach.One step ahead and anticipating their actions rather than reacting to what happens.