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A fatal motorcyle accident closed down Route 2 in Marlborough today, as the police said a car clipped a motorcyclist, sending him off the highway and into a patch of trees. It bothers me that everyone jumps to conclusions that the motorcyclist was traveling too fast or doing wheelies or any other dangerous activities, when it is almost ALWAYS another driver's fault for motorcyclist deaths. For too long have CT motorcyclists gone unprotected on our roads (I, myself do not even own a motorcycle) but I feel this is a very precedent CT issue. My father's close friend was killed in a motorcycle accident a few years ago when the driver of a car pulled out in front of him. Is it me or has this been an ongoing problem in our state? All in all, it's another sad day to see our CT residents killed needlessly on our roads...
[quote=mickee56;9349123]In many cases, the motorcyclist would have at least some chance of survival if they wore a helmet. Live by the sword, die by the sword.[/QUOTE
This is true, but weird things happen. I had a motorcycle accident in 1991, where a car slammed on his brakes in front of me, and I grabbed too much front brake and swerved to missed him, and high sided. In any event, my brand new Shoei helmet never touched the ground after tumbling at 50 mph. I couldn't believe it, but my head never hit anything, hiowever I did break 3 ribs...
It's always a terrible thing when someone dies on the roads, and motorcycle accidents can be particularly horrible. I'll third the helmet recommendation -- it may have saved my life when I was in a motorcycle accident some years back, and at the very least, it kept a relatively minor accident (though I was in the ER for several hours) from turning into a major one.
Having said that, I have to admit that, vehicle for vehicle, I see far more motorcyclists driving irresponsibly than automobiles. Cutting between cars via the center line, driving 90+ mph without a helmet and weaving around vehicles, etc. So I certainly understand where the stereotype comes from. I know that motorcyclists are very vulnerable to the mistakes and carelessness of other vehicles, but I'd need to see more evidence before agreeing that "it's almost ALWAYS another driver's fault".
If this is more of a problem in CT, I'm guessing it has to do with traffic density. Moderately busy roads are inherently dangerous, and all the more so for two-wheeled vehicles.
Ahh Tetto and goldenband, I'm glad you're both alright! And goldenband, perhaps I exaggerated a bit too much about how other cars almost always cause motorcycle accidents, but I think the numbers are there. I refuse to believe that motorcyclists are the sole causes of their own injuries.
as long as crazy people drive cars motorcyclists are in danger.
24% of all traffic fatalities in america involve a pedestrian, bicyclist or a motorcycle.
guy behind me today was yelling and screaming at me trying to get me to run a camera light.
I still think yeild to pedestrians is the most craziest law around. We're driing in a machine doing 30mph and we're supposed to hit the brakes for a human? It's easier for the person to stop, wake up, and realize a car is coming!!
All I can say is you pays your money & you takes your chances. Helmet or no theres an aweful lot of cars out there & with attitudes like the post above mine being common its a dangerous place to ride sometimes.
It's always a terrible thing when someone dies on the roads, and motorcycle accidents can be particularly horrible. I'll third the helmet recommendation -- it may have saved my life when I was in a motorcycle accident some years back, and at the very least, it kept a relatively minor accident (though I was in the ER for several hours) from turning into a major one.
Having said that, I have to admit that, vehicle for vehicle, I see far more motorcyclists driving irresponsibly than automobiles. Cutting between cars via the center line, driving 90+ mph without a helmet and weaving around vehicles, etc. So I certainly understand where the stereotype comes from. I know that motorcyclists are very vulnerable to the mistakes and carelessness of other vehicles, but I'd need to see more evidence before agreeing that "it's almost ALWAYS another driver's fault".
If this is more of a problem in CT, I'm guessing it has to do with traffic density. Moderately busy roads are inherently dangerous, and all the more so for two-wheeled vehicles.
I agree completely. I see way too many motorcyclists, who are driving in between lanes when there is a traffic jam, passing cars with mere inches to spare, speeding, etc. I have had a close call with more than a few b/c I'm changing lanes and they are not riding in a lane at all and trying to skip between two cars.
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