Motorcycle Accident Analysis (Conjecture)

[James Burleigh]

I'm guessing the 25-yr-old rider failed to imagine that the car might change lanes and, failing that, accelerated the GSXR-1000 aggressively without leaving himself an out (Smith System Driving Rule No. 3: Leave Yourself an Out).

It's one of the survival tactics I learned commuting in thick traffic--don't throttle the goose with acceleration because that door (your planned route) could be slammed close in a second. It's why going at [roughly] the speed of traffic makes sense when in tight traffic (and why Ghost Rider's probability of living to old age was / is small). As a further "out," I often swing wide when passing to give myself an extra margin.

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All I-680 lanes reopened after fatal motorcycle crash

By Roman Gokhman

Contra Costa Times

Article Launched: 05/16/2008 07:35:20 PM PDT

MARTINEZ — All lanes of southbound Interstate 680 have been reopened following a fatal motorcycle crash Friday evening.

A Pittsburg motorcyclist died after his motorcycle clipped a car that was making a lane change on the freeway. The crash occurred at 6:52 p.m. on southbound I-680, just south of the Pacheco overpass. The 25-year-old victim was driving a 2006 Suzuki GSXR1000 at an unknown speed in the third of four lanes, California Highway Patrol Officer Tom Maguire said.

The driver attempted to move to the slow lane, but the car in front of him, a silver Honda, also went to change lanes at the exact same time, Maguire said. The motorcycle clipped the back of the Honda and the rider was thrown into the guardrail.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash closed two right lanes of southbound I-680 for about two hours.

 

[S76]

That's a shame. It was probably stupidity, but still a shame.

 

[Kevin Daly]

I agree its a shame. but then again we all die, its all just a mater of time.

What I bet happened based onthe report is that he accelerated into a lane while looking back while the car failed to look at what was going on behind them. Sadly, this seems like a rookie mistake, but we can all make them.

 

[BrunDog]

That is one of the top three safety items I constantly keep in mind when riding. You must always assume that something will go the way you do not want it to, and have a backup plan.

In fact, as an example, I will often skip roads that do not allow for a "gracious" exit stage right. I-95 comes to mind, with its cement walls on either side which ensure that if the poo poo hits the fan, and the first truck fails to flatten you, the second, third, or fourth will!

-BD

 

[wfooshee]

Multi-lane roads are a nightmare, especially near an on-ramp or exit, as people jostle to get into the lane or out of the lane furthest right. Of course there's always the simultaneous convergent lane change from opposite sides of a common lane.

Also stay aware that passing on the right is never a good idea. A car driver's visibility is lowest on that side, and your image in his mirror (should he bother to check) is way to small to do any good.

Really a shame.

 

[Kevin Daly]

I think that there are two strategies that you can use on multilanes. when traffic is light, I like to move faster than trafic (within reason) that way everything is coming up on you (assuming you dont get a cling-on that wants to see if they can pace or pass you; keep a look out). This is an offensive tactic. When traffic is heavier, I take a more defensive approach of trying to match speeds, be predictable.

that said I avoid interstates like the plague.

So what is wrong with my philosophy for those of you who commute on the SS??

 

[painman]

Its always sad to hear of a rider gone down much less one that didn't make it. I've observed while riding on the freeways in CA that drivers will be going along and see that they are about to mis their exit and do a hard right across lanes so not to mis the off-ramp. This is a good reason to stay in the number 1 lane and stay there to maybe keep out of their line of fire.

That section of 680 has merging lanes from two directions off Hwy 4 and as usual in that section traffic is at too fast speeds.

I have a friend who is CHP and road captain in our CMA chapter and he said on his radio he hears of at least one motorcycle accident every morning somewhere in the bay area. Sad indeed. PM. <><

 

[Bearly Flying]

Nice slant the Reporter puts on the accident.

How bout,

" A Silver Honda cut off a Motorcyclist forcing him into a guard rail, killing the Motorcyclist. Charges are Pending"

 

[NoCage]

I think that there are two strategies that you can use on multilanes. when traffic is light, I like to move faster than trafic (within reason) that way everything is coming up on you (assuming you dont get a cling-on that wants to see if they can pace or pass you; keep a look out). This is an offensive tactic. When traffic is heavier, I take a more defensive approach of trying to match speeds, be predictable.
that said I avoid interstates like the plague.

So what is wrong with my philosophy for those of you who commute on the SS??

I dunno KD... I actually feel safer commuting on the slab. The traffic is going one direction, I don't have to worry about cross-traffic and left-turners. I ride the same as you on the SS... faster in lighter traffic, match speed and try to maintain a buffer in heavier traffic. YMMV.

 

[Kevin Daly]

I think that there are two strategies that you can use on multilanes. when traffic is light, I like to move faster than trafic (within reason) that way everything is coming up on you (assuming you dont get a cling-on that wants to see if they can pace or pass you; keep a look out). This is an offensive tactic. When traffic is heavier, I take a more defensive approach of trying to match speeds, be predictable.
that said I avoid interstates like the plague.

So what is wrong with my philosophy for those of you who commute on the SS??

I dunno KD... I actually feel safer commuting on the slab. The traffic is going one direction, I don't have to worry about cross-traffic and left-turners. I ride the same as you on the SS... faster in lighter traffic, match speed and try to maintain a buffer in heavier traffic. YMMV.

Right I mean the stats are clear; the SS is safer per mile. That said, IF I am going to risk my life on a bike I am going to do it in places where it is enjoyable. the SS offers 0 enjoyment (IMO) but still offers risk. the risk on the contry road is higher but the payout is >0!!

 

[James Burleigh]

Right I mean the stats are clear; the SS is safer per mile. That said, IF I am going to risk my life on a bike I am going to do it in places where it is enjoyable. the SS offers 0 enjoyment (IMO) but still offers risk. the risk on the contry road is higher but the payout is >0!!

I guess I'm in the minority by enjoying riding on the superslab. I guess that helps me to enjoy my commute (when I, uh, have a job ). You get to go fast and not worry about left-turners. And you get to go around the cars (when safe, legal, etc., standard disclaimer language).

Regarding some of the previous posts, I like to ride in the no. 1 (far left) lane, because there's a big out on the left, no cars coming at you from that direction, and less debris. I also prefer riding slightly above average speed. I feel like an ant on a sidewalk if I have cars / trucks / SUVs flying past me on both sides, nicking into my lane as they cut in front of me. To hell with that!

Jb

 

[Silver Penguin]

Regarding some of the previous posts, I like to ride in the no. 1 (far left) lane, because there's a big out on the left, no cars coming at you from that direction, and less debris. I also prefer riding slightly above average speed. I feel like an ant on a sidewalk if I have cars / trucks / SUVs flying past me on both sides, nicking into my lane as they cut in front of me. To hell with that!
Jb

I'm with Jb on a preference for the far left lane. The concrete divider is one of the least likely attackers on the road. Theoretically, you can only be challenged from the right, and from behind. Of course, people can fly OVER the divider (as DH demonstrated, two years ago this week).

For the accident described, I might surmise that the rider was also traveling too close to the vehicle in front, for the speed he was doing. It's reasonable to suppose that the car moved over, while the rider was doing a head check. However, if the rider had left a bigger safety margin, he would have had precious seconds to go to plan B. (Which, being a smart rider, he had already formulated in his head, just in case the car driver did what he did).

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wasn't there, and don't know the circumstances surrounding this accident. I suggest that the lesson we take home from this, is a reminder that motorcycling is dangerous, and the onus is on each and every one of us, to take all possible steps to enjoy our pleasure safely.

Jill

 

[FJRMGM]

Nice slant the Reporter puts on the accident.
How bout,

" A Silver Honda cut off a Motorcyclist forcing him into a guard rail, killing the Motorcyclist. Charges are Pending"

Sorry to hear about someone getting killed.

However, as in snow skiing, it is more the responsibility of the overtaking driver (motorcycle) to not run into the vehicle in front of him, which has the right of way.

Abrupt lane changes by anyone can cause problems though and they are a big problem in Houston traffic.