Re: [ST] Safe Riding/Satistics

["STeve Duncan" <xhippy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

original message:
>From: "bare" <barenekd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

>  (I quipped)
>4)  Stay on the backroads.  It's much more fun, and safer out there. :]

>Bare replied:
>Not really. The backroads include all the hazards known in one place.
________________________________________________________________________

Bare, While I did make that statement in a humorous vein (see the smiley 
thingy) I will agree that *statistically* you may be correct.

That being said, I think we should distinguish between open freeways between 
cities and traffic clogged/rush hour, urban expressways. There is also a 
vast difference between, country backroads and congested city surface 
streets.  The *statistics* lump these disparate groups together.
I know from personal experience with over a quarter million miles under my 
belt that congested rush hour roads, weather freeway or surface street 
present more "danger encounters per mile" than a country road or open 
freeway.  And while the *statistics* may show that accidents per mile ridden 
are higher on my country road, I will gladly take that over Central 
Expressway or "635" here in Dallas during rush hour any day.

Most "backroads" accidents (2/3) are the result of rider error (over braking 
or running wide in a curve).  I would rather take my chances with my own 
abilities than pit my survival skills against unpredictable, 
cellphone-talking, SUV drivin', frustrated commuters.

For a summery of the Hurt Study go here:

http://www.zip.com.au/~cs/moto/hurt-study-summary.html


A few significant "facts"

3/4 involve collision with another vehicle
Of those 2/3 involve the vehicle violating the M/C right of way (didn't 
"see" the M/C), most frequent was a left turn in front of the M/C.

In single vehicle accidents, rider error was the cause 2/3 of the time.

In 92% of ALL motorcycle involved accidents, the rider was self-taught or 
learned from family or friends.

The typical motorcycle accident allows less than 2 SECONDS to complete all 
collision avoidance action.

Almost half of all FATAL M/C accidents involve ALCOHOL (duh)


Let's be safe out there OK??


STeve Duncan
'00 Sprint-ST, Black as Nite
Dallas, Tx

"you don't know that you don't know what you don't know"


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