Poor choice and death

[dantama]

A Littleton man died Edit-(not helmeted on his motorcycle) after authorities said he ran a red light and slammed into a car making a left turn in Douglas County.


This is one of the worst decisions to make. Running a long yellow/red light when somebody is waiting to turn left is near the top of my "never do" list.

The car waiting to turn can't get left hanging out in the intersection when the light turns red, so they go.

Even in my car I wouldn't tempt fate with running a light with a car waiting to finish a left turn.

I hope that is high up on your never do it list too.

Left turners cause me anxiety to begin with. Add a yellow light to the equation and I know they are thinking "I gotta hurry up and go" Now hopefully you don't have a tailgaiter too.

One of the worst things you can do is allow a tailgater to push you. The best way to handle a taigater is to slow down. Either they will go around you or at the very least you will be increasing your following distance to the car in front of you; giving you and the tailgater more reaction/braking time.

[glwilson]

I am always extremely paranoid about left-turners no matter whether in my car, on the bike, green light or yellow. Most of the wrecks in this situation are some of the worst.

Something else that always concerns/scares me is the same situation only when there are two lanes in both directions. Often the left-turner cannot see around other cars to see anyone (you) coming. I have repeatedly seen left-turners take the turn only to find out that they pulled-out in front of someone -- sometimes with devastating results.

[fish]

In some places it seems like the law states after the light turns red 2 more car can go through.

[Yellow Jacket]

I have noticed here in Georgia (in the metro Atlanta area anyway) that when a light turns red the opposing light doesn't turn green instantly, there is a pause of at least one second before it turns. That helps a little.

I'm always getting people honking at me when I'm the first in line at a red light. When my light turns green I look both directions to be sure that traffic is really stopped before I will start up. Of course it seems that most drivers just stomp it the instant their light turns green and they get upset when they have to wait a second or two while I look. Too bad, they can just wait.

[paul]

We're starting to see red light cameras pop up all around us here. I never was sure I liked the idea, but as a motorcycle rider, anything that promotes accountability and perhaps, responsible behavior, from some of the cagers has my thumbs up.

Now, I just have to watch my rearend to keep one of these fools from slamming me as I stop when I'm supposed to.

[bosko]

Originally Posted by hmsregalnadness

Now, I just have to watch my rear end to keep one of these fools from slamming me as I stop when I'm supposed to.

I saw a good bumper sticker the other day, it said. "I STOP AT STOP SIGNS" The truck it was on had rear end damage.

I wonder if he got the sticker before or after he got rear ended.

[Idaho]

Good post Dan. My "never to do" list gets longer all the time.

[novijoe]

Wolfman wrote:
One of the worst things you can do is allow a tailgater to push you.

I learned this one on the trip I took east this year. I was watching some clown in my rear view tailgating me on a two lane twisty blacktop and looked up to see someone stopped to make a left turn at a crossroad. Had another car waiting to come out at the crossroad. I braked, started to skid and realized I was not going to be able to stop so I pulled in the clutch, let off the brake, and BARELY made it between the turning and stopped car. I'm sure if my hi-way pegs were down I would have scraped one of them, or worse. I'll never let that happen again.

Also it's always good to put on your rain gear BEFORE it rains if you think you are going to need it. The side of the road is the worst and most dangerous place you can do it.