[ST] RE:Close Call this Morning

[mfay@xxxxxxxxx (Martin Fay)]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Just Daetrin" <daytrip90@xxxxxxxxxxx> at Internet
> Sent: 04 February 2002 08:54
> To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx at Internet
> Subject: [ST] Close Call this Morning
>
>
> So I'm on my way to work in the carpool lane (which is
> left-most) like most
> mornings, doing about the speed limit.  The lane to my right
> is stop and go.
>
> It's not uncommon to see people in the lane next to me with
> their left turn
> signals on.  Most of the time people are pretty good about
> judging how close
> an oncoming vehicle is, how fast it's traveling, and how fast
> they can
> accelerate.  Most of the time I have a cage a few seconds in
> front of me
> which is more noticeable than I am.  Most of the time, traffic in the
> carpool lane isn't going 50-60mph faster than the lane next to it.
>
> But today I found myself with no one in front and doing about
> the speed
> limit, and by the time I noticed that the guy in the sport
> coupe with the
> left turn signal on has not noticed me and proceeded to
> change lanes, I'm
> almost upon him.  In the time it takes me to cover the brakes
> and start
> squeezing I'm already at his bumper and he's half in my lane.
>  When I saw my
> front tire parallel to his front door I concluded (either rightly or
> wrongly) that he's not accelerating fast enough and I'm not
> stopping fast
> enough to avoid being pushed by him into the cement barrier,
> so I flicked
> the throttle and was just able to punch out in front of him.
>> 2. How does one go about practicing emergency stops

Paul,

Try finding a quiet spacious area, possibly a car park in a closed shoping area.
These tend to be well surfaced and the marks for the parking spaces provide a
conveniend grid for measuring distances.
Try acelerating to 30 MPH and then stoping in a straight line, on a good
surface, with the bike upright, using the rear brake only.
Initially use a level of braking you are comfortable with and then gradually
increase the pressure on subsequent runs until you are stoping quickly without
excessive locking of the wheels.

When you're happy with the rear brake repeat (more carefully) with the front
brake only.

Then try it with both together, applying the rear fractionally first, then the
front and releasing the front moments before you come to a complete stop. What
you're aiming for is a smooth, controlled stop in a little distance as possible.
You'll be amazed how much you can reduce your braking distances and the routine
described above gives you plenty of time to adjust to the gradually increasing
braking forces.

Once you're completely comfortable with stoping quickly you can try i from
higher speeds.

> 3. Was there anything else I could have done but didn't?

Anticipation is always better than reaction.
Ideally you would have seen the car signaling earlier, anticipated that the
driver may move into your lane and taken appropriate action, such as slowing
down, covering the horn and preparing for an emergency braking situation.

Easier said than done but I did say 'ideally'.

Glad you escaped unhurt.

Martin,
Ireland


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