One less BX on the road...

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:30 am

I have to say, as a biker, I agree with Kev on this. There cannot be any excuse for hitting another road user travelling in the same direction as you. The moped riders' survival was simply luck. At the end of the day a choice was made inside that BX between watching the road/paying attention, and the lethally selfish alternative of putting some nice music on ... all done in the dark, in poor road conditions, at 60mph and in less than ideal weather.

The facts will speak for themselves, and honesty, owning-up and hand-wringing will have little bearing on them as viewed by the courts. This was simple negligence and, as a past victim of several such selfish drivers while on a motorcycle, I cannot but feel angry that anyone can be so stupid as to fiddle with a ICE system while driving a car.

If I haven't got a passenger to change my CD's then I go without music. Same for 'phone answering. Same for SatNav programming. When I'm driving I'm keenly aware that I'm responsible for the safety of every other road user I encounter in exactly the same way as when I'm out shooting with one of my rifles. Perhaps that's why I've never had an accident that was my fault or avoidable, and if I ever injure someone through my own stupidity, I swear I'll incinerate my licence(s) as no longer fit to hold it/them.

Perhaps my view is a little harsh - but it's kind've hard to argue your case against a stupid and selfish driver in his steel box when you're six feet underground in a wooden one. "Sorry" doesn't cut it in Bobworld when it's this close to the wire.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:50 am

I’ve been biking for longer than I’ve been driving, so I can see both sides of this. I was once in a similar position to James, although whilst biking instead of driving. Travelling down through France with a few mates, we had been riding through the rain all day and (with hindsight) were ignoring the danger signs of tiredness (my mate had previously shot through a red light at cross roads!) Further on, he’d stopped at a junction, it registered late that he had stopped and I grabbed too much front brake, locked the wheel and slid down the road into the back of him. Great start to a holiday.

Equally, I’ve been knocked by my bike by people who “Didn’t see me” so I know how it feels to be on the receiving end.

He’s admitted it was a stupid thing to do, but I think we’ve all probably made mistakes whilst driving – it’s purely luck that means that those mistakes do not always equate to accidents. There are some things I won’t do whilst driving, others where I’ll deem it safe depending on the surroundings. But when I was young(er) and (more) foolish what I deemed safe I wouldn’t now…

If everyone involved can learn from it, and also those reading about it (without any deaths or serious injuries), then at least some good can come of it.

saintjamesy89 · Post by **saintjamesy89** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:58 am

It's on the north cadbury turnoff off of the A303, won't be recovered until tommorow...
Knackered gearbox/passenger driveshaft, bumper, passenger headlight and warped passenger wing.

KevR · Post by **KevR** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:08 am

mat_fenwick wrote:There are some things I won’t do whilst driving, others where I’ll deem it safe depending on the surroundings. But when I was young(er) and (more) foolish what I deemed safe I wouldn’t now…

If everyone involved can learn from it, and also those reading about it (without any deaths or serious injuries), then at least some good can come of it.

Amen to all of that.

Stinkwheel · Post by **Stinkwheel** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:49 am

I’ve been biking for longer than I’ve been driving, so I can see both sides of this.

Ditto this for myself.

And i agree there is no excuse for hitting another road user, hitting a 2 wheeler is even more serious. BUT the liability has been admitted, and we all make mistakes sometimes, ive fallen off bikes all my own fault before, just one of those lapses we all have ocassionally, this one has led to this very nasty state of affairs.

I wouldnt want to be hit by a car when im on my bikes, but i have been, how can we stop people loosing concentration? We cant.

I think the lesson has been learnt here and both parties walked away, BX didnt and neither did 'ped i shouldnt think. But they are only objects.

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:18 pm

Poor old Jamsie - a clip round the ear from Gramps probably won't do you any harm

I have now completely removed everything from my car that might distract me - including myself.

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:37 pm

KevR · Post by **KevR** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:29 am

Reminds me of the time I read the William Morris quote: "Have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

I've been living in the shed ever since...

Stinkwheel · Post by **Stinkwheel** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:23 am

I like that Kev