Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Accidents.

Good lad..!!

Hope for me yet then

Watched in horror last week on the M11 as a truck (left hand drive) pulled into the fast lane, not seeing the Merc SLK driving next him, poor buggers were playing ping pong against the trucks wheels and the barrier several times, luckily no was hurt and the chap wrote me a letter of thanks for helping him and his wife. Whilst we stood on the hard shoulder awaiting the police a Mondeo decided to attack the front wheel of the truck he was next to, I just stood there in amazement watching this idiot trying to pull in front of a truck. The truck won.

Good to hear the owner of the Red Morgan was all ok.

Every case described is down to "driving without due care and attention' or in modern speak "acting like an idiot".

Prime causes, in my experience:
1. Lack of basic roadcraft skills
2. Distracted talking to passenger
3. Radio or other music source too loud
4. Talking on a phone
5. Texting whilst driving
6. The false sense of security driving a modern box brings

Anyone notice I didn't mention speed? Funny that.

There is one other, recently raised in the IAM journal - that of the brain's reaction to fast movement of eye/head.
It always pays when trying to exit a junction not to look rapidly from one direction to the other - the brain will fill in what it thinks is there, which may mask a vehicle/pushbike etc.
As an example, years ago, a GL1200 riding pal nearly pulled out into the side of an articulated trailer once, he didn't actually see it in front of him.
Don't know whether the article is on the IAM web site...

I had an early private meeting in Kingsbridge this am, decided to take the Freelander, parking by the quay and seagulls being the reason.

On the way 2 elderly ladies doing 35 on a stretch of road where the legal limit is 60 and safe to do in the conditions. Motor bike overtakes me - safely, and then goes to overtake the elderly ladies and I can see her chatting away and just as the bike level with her she swerves. The bikers reactions were amazing he went right and braked. The elderly ladies continued and seemed totally unaware that they nearly caused serious damage to a biker.

Once the tourists arrive in strength it is going to get worse a lot worse.

Pete

I'll definitely bring the 90 in September then...

If I recall correctly at least some of this information came from the research at the University of Perth in Australia. It was mentioned as a reason why people look but still don't see an approaching motorcycle. I have tried, also on previous occasions, to find a reference to this research and I have not found it. I did however find an article on the subject which make very interesting reading.
http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-pilot-teach-cyclists/