Biker down. Yep I just got bowled...

[shrub]

I HATE YOU FOR TURNING ME INTO KATMAN, BUT!!!!!!!

What your now saying, is that, when making a right turn on a sngle lane road, I am now obligated to ensure I'm not being overtaken at the same time ????, or that someone is not driving the wrong way up the lane im crossing. Sorry, this may be an accident, but to keep repeatedly blaming the car when it looks less and and less likely they were COMPLETELY (Emphasised to aid with your comprehension) at fault is just bizarre!

And, despite this, I believe I have offered Phreak the "Bad luck mate etc etc etc bit".

You and I weren't there, but from reading Phreak's initial post I believe the car driver pulled out of a side road in front of Phreak and then did a U turn in front of him. i have been taught that when you pull out of a road/driveway/parking place you ALWAYS (caps to aid your comprehension) check that NOTHING is coming. If there is, you let them go past and then pull out. What if Phreak had been driving a 40 tonne truck instead of a motorcycle?

And when you do a U turn/change lanes/right turn you ALWAYS check in ALL of your mirrors and if possible do a quick head check. If there is another vehicle overtaking you, then YOU DON'T TURN. Again, what if Phreak had been driving a truck?

Like I said, I wasn't there, but I would describe the car driver's actions as, at best, a little sloppy and inattentive. I know that the modern PC way is to blame all crashes on the rider, but based on what I have read, in this case I think Phreak is not at fault.

[Edbear]

Are you not supposed to check your mirror / look over your shoulder and signal for three seconds (or as long as you have if the turnings are close) before any turning manouver? did the car driver do this I wonder? if he did maybe he would have seen the bike he had just pulled out in front of.

Some here tend to miss the obvious... They'd prefer to blame the victim to promote themselves. Any blame lies firmly with the car driver in this instance and I'm happy to accept Phreak's account of the incident. Sometimes accidents happen despite the care and caution we use when riding, ie: Terbang's, mine and other's.

I bet Katman could find a way that I was at fault in my accident as well despite the SCU's thorough investigation and conclusion I was in no way to blame for it. Sure I could have avoided it, I could have taken another route that day, I could have been doing 25km/h instead of 45km/h in a 50km/h area, I could have chosen to drive a 4 x 4 with permanent 4-wheel drive, not that I could afford one... Goodness the things I could have and should have done to avoid crashing and breaking my back... I obviously don't deserve a licence! Even if it's my first accident in 40 years...

[Luckylegs]

Are you not supposed to check your mirror / look over your shoulder and signal for three seconds (or as long as you have if the turnings are close) before any turning manouver? did the car driver do this I wonder? if he did maybe he would have seen the bike he had just pulled out in front of.

To turn into a driveway !!!! NOPE, don't think so. I certainly dont do it on either the bike or in the car.

[shrub]

I bet Katman could find a way that I was at fault in my accident as well despite the SCU's thorough investigation and conclusion I was in no way to blame for it. Sure I could have avoided it, I could have taken another route that day, I could have been doing 25km/h instead of 45km/h in a 50km/h area, I could have chosen to drive a 4 x 4 with permanent 4-wheel drive, not that I could afford one... Goodness the things I could have and should have done to avoid crashing and breaking my back... I obviously don't deserve a licence! Even if it's my first accident in 40 years...

Did you not think to have a man walking in front of you with a red flag? Entirely your fault.

[shrub]

To turn into a driveway !!!! NOPE, don't think so. I certainly dont do it on either the bike or in the car.

Yeah, checking in mirrors is overrated. In fact, looking is overrated and I reckon the way forward is to drive with your eyes closed. Guaranteed a laugh a minute.

[Luckylegs]

...And when you do a U turn/change lanes/right turn you ALWAYS check in ALL of your mirrors and if possible do a quick head check. If there is another vehicle overtaking you, then YOU DON'T TURN. Again, what if Phreak had been driving a truck?...

We're simply never gonna agree and lets leave it at that, but... are you telling me you do a head check and or check your mirror (the right one) when pulling into a driveway (on your right)???

[Katman]

I was going to say I'll be interested in hearing the police report but then remembered this post...

Bugger... glad you didn't need yer dad on that one...

.....and find myself wondering whether Phreak's dad is a police officer - in which case there will probably (conveniently) not be a police report.

[MSTRS:Me]

...but based on what I have read, in this case I think Phreak is not at fault.

On balance, I'd tend to agree. But looking at Streetview of the area, he would appear to bear some of the responsibility.
Again, not being there at that precise moment, and without accurate measurements/speed/etc, means we can but guess as to whether braking was a better option than going around.

[Edbear]

Did you not think to have a man walking in front of you with a red flag? Entirely your fault.

Of course you are quite right! He would have seen the oil and warned me! Darn it! just when I was thinking I'd got away with it!

[shrub]

We're simply never gonna agree and lets leave it at that, but... are you telling me you do a head check and or check your mirror (the right one) when pulling into a driveway (on your right)???

Yep. It's called defensive driving. I also look before I pull out - yeah I know, weird and strange, but it's kept me alive for many years.

i might try your driving without checking mirrors though, but I'll wait until i have a Hummer or something similar as I'm not that fussed on being dead - at least until my rego runs out.

[Katman]

Yep. It's called defensive driving.

Funny how selective you can be when it comes to defensive driving/riding.

[MSTRS:Me]

Oh, to have a little man, walking in front, waving a red flag. Kanga would still be alive. And his mate Brendan would still have his spleen. (Oil on SH5 21.2.09).
Better still, no-one would need to take any responsibility for their driving/riding, and when it turns to custard, the flagman can carry the blame. Mustn't forget - the dickhead/s who dropped the oil needn't have a care in the world either.

[Katman]

Oh, to have a little man, walking in front, waving a red flag. Kanga would still be alive. And his mate Brendan would still have his spleen. (Oil on SH5 21.2.09).

Just on that note John, I have a customer who was passed by a group of motorcyclists on the Napier/Taupo road that night who immediately turned to his passenger and said "There's an accident waiting to happen".

[Maha]

Thanks Edbear, nice to know someone out there gets what happened.

I'm not going mad after all...

Accidents are called accidents because they are accidents Scott, if two vehicles collide, it is not not called an 'On Purpose'.... for good reason. Im sure most get that.
Hindsight can be a good thing in that, we learn from it. The pity is though, 30 seconds either way and your bike would still be in good shape.

[shrub]

Funny how selective you can be when it comes to defensive driving/riding.

Defensive driving/riding is about recognising that motorcyclists aren't the only ones that do stupid shit. You may find it really hard to believe, but a lot of car drivers are incompetent idiots.