Motorcyclists offer apology

[cdn2wheeler]

For the record, I'm not Larry Supina but I saw this online and though it was worth it:

Motorcyclist offers apology and restitution to members of DUMB

Opinion Column by Larry Supina

An apology is in order, so, please, forgive me. It was not until this morning on my ride to work that I fully understood I was in error.

Yes, I've noticed that there are many very busy and important people on the roads. You all are hard to miss with the cell phones, laptops, breakfast bars, coffee, cigarettes and all, but until now, I didn't realize I was causing so much trouble for you busy, multitasking drivers.

I figured it out this morning, thanks to the nice lady working on the laptop who needed the lane I was in.

First, ma'am, let me say that when I honked at you from the shoulder, I didn't mean to startle you. My intent was just to give you a little beep to let you know the lane was all yours. But I was braking so hard, I couldn't lift my thumb off the horn button. My bad.

I surely didn't mean to cause you to nearly hit the guy talking on the cell phone. You know, he was smoking and talking as he moved his SUV right into the space you had just left.

Anyway, the good news is, that's when I realized all of you multitasking drivers must be texting each other about intended lane changes and running traffic lights and stop signs and such. I'm sorry - I'm still using old-fashioned blinkers. I didn't realize you needed some time to e-notify that guy that you needed the lane back. I really messed it up for both of you!

I can only say that the guard rail was a little distracting, and I was only thinking about myself. I'll try harder next time.

Like I said, I didn't know that was how you multitasking drivers were communicating. It must have been in an e-mail, but my laptop fell off my tank and I haven't replaced it.

However, I have a solution.

I know many of you are so busy and important that you have no choice - you have to eat, work, talk, read and do lots of other really important things as you drive.

Those of us who use the road only for traveling would be happy to stay out of your way; we just need to know you're coming.

A little visual clue would help - I was thinking of a bumper sticker. That way, everyone could identify you as Drivers Utilizing Multiple Behaviors.

Of course, that's a little long, so we'd cut it down to an acronym - DUMB.

If you'd place stickers on the front, back and maybe the sides of your car, the rest of us would know not to interfere with you on the road.

I think it's such a good idea, I'll pay for the bumper stickers and even put them on for you. Deal?

Again, I'm sorry I got in your way. I'll try harder to see you coming from now on.

I promise!

Found on the R6-Forum

[Angela]

I don't think this dumb behavior is irritating for only motorcyclists. I'm so glad they're making it against the law for teenagers to talk on cell while driving. Now if only they would do the same for older people and middle aged people, too. Nincompoops!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

As funny as that is, I've seen some pretty DUMB behavior from people on motorcycles too...just to be contrary because I am like that.

[cdn2wheeler]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

As funny as that is, I've seen some pretty DUMB behavior from people on motorcycles too

No argument there; there certainly ARE dumb motorcyclists. We call'em "squids." They're the ones riding about without a helmet, in a tank top and shorts and sandals.

However, natural selection takes care of those pretty quickly. One can be dumb in a car and probably get away with it. Maybe a scratch, a scuff of paint or a new bumper or something. On two wheels, however, the consequences are generally more intense.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by cdn2wheeler

One can be dumb in a car and probably get away with it.

That's why I am scared to ride a motorcycle in the city. My car protects me from myself .

[cdn2wheeler]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

That's why I am scared to ride a motorcycle in the city.

Scares me too. But I do it anyway.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

You're my hero.

[brandi]

Originally Posted by cdn2wheeler

Scares me too. But I do it anyway.

me too!
I love riding.
it's a meditation of overcoming fear & enjoying the moment
yet being hyper aware.
i find freedom on my bikes

[Angela]

Originally Posted by brandi

me too!
I love riding.
it's a meditation of overcoming fear & enjoying the moment
yet being hyper aware.
i find freedom on my bikes

okay, cdn, go ahead and propose and get it over with!

[Honeywith4bees]

Just wondering:

I know that people should be paying attention to driving when driving, not doing anything else, but it seems like there is an awful lot of cellphone bashing. I've heard that it is the act of dialing the cell phone that causes an increased amount of accidents, not necessarily the talking. I'm just thinking because I see people drinking their coffees and talking to the people in their car and they are paying the same or less attention to driving as me who is talking on my phone. Am I missing something?

[Angela]

Honeywith4bees, all I have is my anecdotal experience driving in Los Angeles, but it's very easy for me to see that people who are talking on the phone while driving cause all kinds of problems in traffic. They're so focused on their phone -- not just the dialers, the talkers just as much -- that they don't give surrounding traffic its due, they forget to use their turn signals, they creep along slowly as they're listening, and worst of all, they are loathe to take their attention away from their call to pay attention to unexpected cues from other drivers, not to mention, say, traffic lights.

You're right that car-multi-tasking of all sorts is really dangerous -- I think you should get a ticket for putting on mascara while driving, for instance -- how stupid is that? And drinking coffee while driving also seems like a very bad idea to me. People who are wearing earsets seem to do a better job of paying attention and being one with traffic, but I feel it should be against the law to use one of your good driving hands to hold a phone against your ear. It seems like it kills brain cells.

[Honeywith4bees]

I watched a woman yesterday driving and putting on mascara with her baby in the back seat! (At least I wait til the red lights!! )

[cdn2wheeler]

For the record

Drivers on cell phones are as bad as drunks

In 1997, The New England Journal of Medicine reported that motorists who use cell phones are four times more likely to crash, and equated their use with drunk driving.

(emphasis added)

[Honeywith4bees]

I definitely get the point, but I also think that it's not cell phones per se, its not focusing on driving that is unsafe whether it may be from eating, drinking, conversing with people in the back seat, applying makeup or talking on cell phones.

My 16 year old is getting his permit tomorrow. He won't even floss his teeth without a reminder, how is he mature enough to drive a (potentially) lethal weapon? (I'm taking him for the permit and paying for the Drivers Ed course, but not buying him a car.)

[Mremedia]

Originally Posted by cdn2wheeler

No argument there; there certainly ARE dumb motorcyclists. We call'em "squids."

I call them "organ Donors".

Also, back to the drivers of cars... I once saw a woman reading a newspaper on the steering wheel while driving. That same morning, I saw someone eating a bowl of soup!

[Dharma]

I live in CT and they've banned cell phone usage while driving unless you have a hands-free set up.

It really pisses me off my legislators think that will solve anything. The problem, as others have said in this thread, is awareness. Cell phones, radios, reading the newspaper, putting on make-up, etc, can all contribute to lack of awareness. Banning cell phone usage does nothing to bringing awareness to awareness.

Everyone still drives and talks, even the police.

[Angela]

We should make it against the law to be unaware! Send 'em to Alcatrance.

Criminalize Cluelessness!