A Rider's Plea For Attention

[Jester]

In light of all the recent meetings and near misses with cars, trucks, and SUVs, I'm working on a draft of a letter I can cut and paste to the editor of the Bee and other media. What many of these incidents stem from is inattentiveness on the part of the general driving public. I plan to send a copy of this to as many forums as I can as well as the editorial staff of as many news papers as I can find. I'll forward a copy to everyone in my Email address book as well.

Can you help me draft such a letter? Save the sarcasm, (I've got that covered), I'm going for 'sincerely concerned for one's personal safety' on this one. I am trying to achieve a(/n inter)national open plea for awareness to all automobile drivers. Will you help? Any and all suggestions you offer will be seriously considered and greatly appreciated. I'm realy looking for ways to cut it down while retaining the tone and message.

J

A Rider's Plea For Attention.

Dear car, truck, minivan or SUV driver, I am writing to you in an attempt to draw your attention to the rising number of motorcycles appearing on the roadways these days. As gas prices soar, more and more people are turning to the motorcycle as a form of economic transportation. I'd also call your attention to the fact these vehicles do not enjoy the luxury of crumple zones which you all do. Inadvertent contact with a motorcycle might not affect you much but the effect on a motorcyclist is often disastrous! Sadly, many of these contacts could be avoided by simply checking your mirror and over your shoulder before merging into another lane.

In the past week of commuting, I have experienced four incidents where an automobile driver has merged into my lane while I was occupying it. In two of these incidents the driver continued to merge even as I sounded a long, loud, continuous blast of my horn. In one of those incidents, I had my son on the back seat with me. Were I half as inattentive as these drivers, I might not have been writing you today...and my son might not be starting school next fall. Fortunately, these inattentive drivers are the minority on our streets.

It would be easy to blame all this poor driving on cell phones, but they account for a small portion of the distractions which present themselves in an automobile cockpit. No, I believe inattention is the root cause of the problem. The lack of awareness of what is around you, especially before you change direction in your vehicle can cause problems which sometimes lead to fatalities.

I understand your frustration with people riding irresponsably, I assure you I am not one of them. I am just trying to get to work, or the store, or to the hills where I can enjoy a nice relaxing ride with a minimum of traffic.

I figuratively stand before you and beg you for my life. I beg you for the life of my children who both share the love of motorcycling that I do; and for the lives of motorcyclists everywhere. Whether you know it or not, you all possess the power to kill. You also possess the power to save lives by granting us your attention.

Please, check around you for other vehicles before changing lanes and merging with other traffic.

I thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Larry W Peer RN BSN

Motorcycle Safety Foundation Ridercoach

Father of Daniel and Melody

 

[double_entendre]

<snip> A Rider's Plea For Attention.

<snip>

Well written. I like it. Have you considered making two versions, one of op-ed length and one letter-length? An op-ed version could include other tips about how hard it is to gauge the distance to motorcycles because of their size (and consequent ease of turning left in front of one), scanning the road ahead, etc. The LA Times would probably edit the hell out of that as a letter, but if you submitted it as an op-ed it might work.

I'd also phrase this sentence "I understand your frustration with people riding irresponsably, I assure you I am not one of them" to something like, "I understand your frustration with people riding irresponsably, condemn it along with you, and dread how it affects other drivers' perception of all motorcyclists." Or something.

Good idea, Jester. I'll look forward to seeing the final.

Rancho

 

[Wild72]

That is indeed very well written and gets the point across well.

My only suggestion would be to add something warning about approaching motorcyclists from behind, and also crossing the center line on curves. It seems there are many stories about riders getting rear-ended while at a juntion or stop-lights etc., and others that are related to having to change line in a bend due to the ingress of four-wheelers.

These points certainly fall under your general theme of inattention, and lack of awareness.

Obviously we need to play our part as well, by attemtping to make ourselves as visible as possible, by signalling our intentions well in advance, and by riding in a sensible manner. Pointing this out to motorists may make them realize that most of us are trying to help ourselves stay safe, and that we need a helping hand from them to achieve this goal.

Here in PA, May was motorcycle awareness month. Newspaper and TV ads, as well as roadside message boards helped put the message out. Drivers seemed to acknowledge my presence approaching junctions, seemed to sit a little further back at traffic lights etc., and in genereal I felt that I was being given the same consideration as if I was in a car. (Of course, it's now June and things are back to normal again!!). If your state does not have a similar awareness program, now may be the time to copy your letter to state representatives in an effort to have one established. It really made a difference here while it lasted.

Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

Very well done. I hope it wakes some of these asleep at the wheel drivers. Maybe they will read it as they are driving to work.

 

[Jester]

Thank you everyone, good suggestions all. I have this on 4 different forums a hammering away at the details trimming and fine tuning. Thank you gfor your help!

J

 

[Silver Penguin]

Nicely written Jester. I applaud what you're trying to do here. Using your title RN/BSN, Father of two kids, and Rider Coach gives you some personality here, rather than just any other un-named biker.

Jill

Nicely written Jester. I applaud what you're trying to do here. Using your title RN/BSN, Father of two kids, and Rider Coach gives you some personality here, rather than just any other un-named biker.

Jill

 

[DailyCommuter]

I would add the suggestion of installing those little spot mirrors on their side mirrors. I personally think all vehicles from now on should come with them from the factory. My F-350 has a separate close up mirrors under the standard mirrors. I can see directly next to me and I still always shoulder check because I ride. I would also add when talking about shoulder checking before you change lanes, that there must have been at least one time in your driving history that you started changing lanes and were surprised by an occupant in that lane., point out that a shoulder check would have prevented it, and that if it were a motorcyclist in your way you may have killed them with only a slight impact.

I think you should put your letter out to driving instructors everywhere. So they can make it a point to inform young drivers of the serious results of a collision with a motorcycle.

Good luck!

 

[BladeRunner]

Well written and certainly pleading.

A long letter written to those without awareness of or paying attention to anything outside themselves.

Awareness Deficit Drivers (ADD's) can't sit still long enough to read this and don't care as long as it is not about them or their goal of the moment.

The only way to make a difference is to create a foundation or some group like MADD (MAADD - Motorists Against Awareness Deficit Drivers?) that lobbies and has sponsorship. I say "motorists" because the problem is more widespread than us and the term "biker" has a negative connotation to many.

Money and the ability to wield it within the sphere of influence makes the difference.

Unfortunately relying upon pleas for reason and consideration in the good ol' U.S. these days goes mostly unheeded and without effect.

I certainly share your frustration and am constantly annoyed by the intervention of those who just don't like bikes or those who ride them period.

Remember before MADD it was for the most part a simple traffic violation for a DUI.

My, how things have changed!

Those reading this forum with the ability and influence should stop reading and start pushing for reform and image change.

The rest of us should make it our responsibility to consistently present the image of skill and (dare I say it) professionalism in our sport.

Play is for the proper time and location.

I don't care if you do 130+. There certainly is a thrill to it.

I don't care if you want to push yourself to the edge of your limits and for some tragically over. It is your right.

Just don't take someone else with you or endanger the innocent or their property.

Please forgive me MR Admin. I just couldn't help myself.

 

[SacramentoMike]

It's true that any who would read this letter and somehow incorporate it into their driving or their attitude are few and far between, IMO, but it's definitely worth a try. A more immediate plea and kind of a timely "wake up call" is something I saw on the back end of "Toecutter's" top case last week at the clan gathering in Morro Bay. He had a bright yellow bumper sticker the full width of his top case with about 3" black letters reading "YOUR CAR CAN KILL." Now that's an unambiguous message that might just remind any driver behind him to tighten up his attention, at least for the next few miles.

Lots of you know Toe is a fireman, and I'm sure he's been on some pretty awful rescue scenes, enough to jack up anyone's level of safety consciousness, though I didn't discuss this with him. I also should have asked where those stickers came from. Maybe we should all be sporting one. (PM fired to Toecutter right now.)

Jester, don't take that to mean I don't support you efforts with that excellent letter. Just something extra I thought I'd suggest. I hope you send copies of the letter to every paper in the state.

 

[DailyCommuter]

Also , you should include a message about how much faster a bike can stop than a car, especially us with ABS. Which makes it extremely dangerous to follow too close!

 

[dhalen32]

Larry:

A very worthwhile cause. May I suggest that you also work intersections into the letter? Perhaps "check twice before entering an intersection or turning left" as the mesage to convey. The British recently released a very good PSA depicting an average guy pulling out into traffic right in front of a motorcycle; including a very realistic crash as the result.

Dave

 

[BladeRunner]

I hope you send copies of the letter to every paper in the States.

Fixed it for ya.

Although he may want us (forum members) to send in a copy to our respective papers (money ya know).

Just another half baked thought.

 

[Silver Penguin]

I also should have asked where those stickers came from. Maybe we should all be sporting one.

The 'Your Car Can Kill' sticker is made by the MSF and can be ordered through their website.

Jill

 

[FJRMGM]

nice letter - but other than it makes you feel better it won't accomplish a thing.

Until we take cell phone and text messaging out of vehicles we are in constant danger.

I was nearly taken out on a gentle curve the other day by someone who had their phone in front of their face text messageing.

 

[FJRFolly]

I agree that motorcycle awareness is sorely lacking; here in Utah there has been a small campaign to bring awareness to us. There is no question that motorists, their cell phones and general inattention to what's around them are a threat. As it happens, I was a paramedic and police officer for the City and County of Denver for many years, I have seen my share of motorcycle/car crashes (I don't like the word "accident" because it implies that it could not have been prevented). However, in all honesty I would guess that more than half of the crashes I responded to were a result of the motorcyclists sheer stupidity. If we ask the motoring public to be aware of us, we need to be respectful of them as well. And lately there have been a slew of crashes by dumb-***** here in Utah. I suspect it is putting a sour taste in the mouth of the motoring public. How do we garner respect when some of our fellows create a high profile for all of us by pulling wheelies on the freeway or doing 70mph on 25mph residential street and crashing into a family get together? I think we need to campaign for respect from motorist, I also believe respect is earned. We need to discourage dumb-*** riding. With more and more bikes coming to the street we need to steer new riders into training. ATGATT and MNTW (morons need to walk). On this forum, I'm probably preaching to the choir, but we can set the example.

 

[BladeRunner]

I agree that motorcycle awareness is sorely lacking; here in Utah there has been a small campaign to bring awareness to us. There is no question that motorists, their cell phones and general inattention to what's around them are a threat. As it happens, I was a paramedic and police officer for the City and County of Denver for many years, I have seen my share of motorcycle/car crashes (I don't like the word "accident" because it implies that it could not have been prevented). However, in all honesty I would guess that more than half of the crashes I responded to were a result of the motorcyclists sheer stupidity. If we ask the motoring public to be aware of us, we need to be respectful of them as well. And lately there have been a slew of crashes by dumb-***** here in Utah. I suspect it is putting a sour taste in the mouth of the motoring public. How do we garner respect when some of our fellows create a high profile for all of us by pulling wheelies on the freeway or doing 70mph on 25mph residential street and crashing into a family get together? I think we need to campaign for respect from motorist, I also believe respect is earned. We need to discourage dumb-*** riding. With more and more bikes coming to the street we need to steer new riders into training. ATGATT and MNTW (morons need to walk). On this forum, I'm probably preaching to the choir, but we can set the example.

+1

 

[Silver Penguin]

MNTW (morons need to walk).

That has to be the phrase of the day. MNTW = Morons need to walk.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Excellent letter Jester. Great job, get it to the presses! :yahoo:

 

[double_entendre]

I would add the suggestion of installing those little spot mirrors on their side mirrors. I personally think all vehicles from now on should come with them from the factory. My F-350 has a separate close up mirrors under the standard mirrors. I can see directly next to me and I still always shoulder check because I ride. I would also add when talking about shoulder checking before you change lanes, that there must have been at least one time in your driving history that you started changing lanes and were surprised by an occupant in that lane., point out that a shoulder check would have prevented it, and that if it were a motorcyclist in your way you may have killed them with only a slight impact.
I think you should put your letter out to driving instructors everywhere. So they can make it a point to inform young drivers of the serious results of a collision with a motorcycle.

Good luck!

I never saw a need for the spot mirrors if my mirrors are adjusted correctly--'course I'm not in a truck or towing a trailer or anything. It seems to me that most folks have their side-view mirrors adjusted so that they show the side of the car and a lot of what they can already see in the rear-view mirror.

I like to set mine up so that the rear-view shows (duh) the rear, but the side-view mirrors show a vehicle coming up on me until my peripheral vision catches it. The car still has a blind spot when I look over my shoulder (when the top is up, at least), but the mirrors pretty much show all.

Yeah, I've been surprised before, but only when I was being sloppy.

Rancho