CaptCrash
Dazed and Confused
Every so often I see threads that mention Road Rage and document instances of drivers acting with malice toward bikers. With that in mind I thought I'd take a moment to share some basic security tips that people in TV use to keep Anchors, Reporters, Photographers and other personnel safe. I'm going to apply them to motorcycles and show you some of the risks and rewards of being aware of your surroundings and having an escape plan.
1. Avoid having a predictable pattern. Have at least 3 different routes between your work and home. Alternate routes randomly. If someone is mad at you and knows you'll be on your bike at a specific time in a specific place--you're at risk. If you have an incident on the way to work or home alter your route for the next few days, this gives the other driver time to cool off and forget you. If a driver feels you cut them off at an intersection, feels slighted enough to honk or flip you off, and then sees you the next day? You can become a target of opportunity. It's best to avoid them for a day or two so use an alternate route. Varying your time of departure and arrival can help you avoid the scene of an "incident".
2. If you think you're being followed--"Walk the Box". Make four consecutive right hand turns. Go around the block. It may be a BIG block but there is NO REASON ON EARTH for someone to make 4 rights turns behind you unless they are following you. If they do, then they are following you. You are now a potential target. Behave accordingly (see #3).
3. Once you fear (or know) you're being followed, proceed to a well lit, well populated area. This sounds awful, but place yourself where there are witnesses. Witnesses will help confirm your account of what happens and often serve as good samaritans. Knowing where the local police station, substation or barracks are located is a good thing too. Go the police station parking lot and pull right up to the door. If you're being followed--they'll peel off. IF they follow you into the parking lot, just park it by the door and lay on the horn. Officers will respond. (Come on, there's a bike up on the sidewalk by the front door laying on the horn! They'll come out.) Police Stations tend to be populated 24/7 but be aware that at 2 in the morning in small municipalities you might not have an officer on duty at the station.
4. Keep a log of vehicles you are having trouble with. IF every few days that orange Mazda is giving you the finger? Take note of the model, year, and plate number. Once you're at work or home write up a discription of the driver and a short note of what they're doing. This may sound nuts but you'll have documentation if something happens. (AND you'll realize that you need to vary your route to avoid problems).
You don't need to be a target. IF you're having a problem the best way to behave is classic motorcycle safety--don't place yourself in a bad position. AVOID places where you're having problems!
A couple of final thoughts; first, cars are big! They weight a couple of tons. As a weapon they are profoundly dangerous to motorcyclists and you want to avoid confrontations with them. What's the old saying? "Don't bring a knife to a gunfight"? A car's strength as a weapon are size, weight and low risk of operator injury. A driver running over a rider is at very little risk. YOU, the rider, are extremely vulnerable. Use your head to stay out of bad situations. Don't escalate them. FLEE. You can split lanes, ride up on the sidewalk, out brake, out turn and out acclerate most automobiles. Use this to your advantage. If you need to flee, turn into that parking lot, double back, slip between stopped cars, evade--don't fight.
Yeah, fleeing isn't as glamous as fighting but you can't beat up an SUV with your gloved fists and if a driver decides to park it on you? Even if it's a crime--you're still the one doing the hospital time.
Be smart. Be safe!
1. Avoid having a predictable pattern. Have at least 3 different routes between your work and home. Alternate routes randomly. If someone is mad at you and knows you'll be on your bike at a specific time in a specific place--you're at risk. If you have an incident on the way to work or home alter your route for the next few days, this gives the other driver time to cool off and forget you. If a driver feels you cut them off at an intersection, feels slighted enough to honk or flip you off, and then sees you the next day? You can become a target of opportunity. It's best to avoid them for a day or two so use an alternate route. Varying your time of departure and arrival can help you avoid the scene of an "incident".
2. If you think you're being followed--"Walk the Box". Make four consecutive right hand turns. Go around the block. It may be a BIG block but there is NO REASON ON EARTH for someone to make 4 rights turns behind you unless they are following you. If they do, then they are following you. You are now a potential target. Behave accordingly (see #3).
3. Once you fear (or know) you're being followed, proceed to a well lit, well populated area. This sounds awful, but place yourself where there are witnesses. Witnesses will help confirm your account of what happens and often serve as good samaritans. Knowing where the local police station, substation or barracks are located is a good thing too. Go the police station parking lot and pull right up to the door. If you're being followed--they'll peel off. IF they follow you into the parking lot, just park it by the door and lay on the horn. Officers will respond. (Come on, there's a bike up on the sidewalk by the front door laying on the horn! They'll come out.) Police Stations tend to be populated 24/7 but be aware that at 2 in the morning in small municipalities you might not have an officer on duty at the station.
4. Keep a log of vehicles you are having trouble with. IF every few days that orange Mazda is giving you the finger? Take note of the model, year, and plate number. Once you're at work or home write up a discription of the driver and a short note of what they're doing. This may sound nuts but you'll have documentation if something happens. (AND you'll realize that you need to vary your route to avoid problems).
You don't need to be a target. IF you're having a problem the best way to behave is classic motorcycle safety--don't place yourself in a bad position. AVOID places where you're having problems!
A couple of final thoughts; first, cars are big! They weight a couple of tons. As a weapon they are profoundly dangerous to motorcyclists and you want to avoid confrontations with them. What's the old saying? "Don't bring a knife to a gunfight"? A car's strength as a weapon are size, weight and low risk of operator injury. A driver running over a rider is at very little risk. YOU, the rider, are extremely vulnerable. Use your head to stay out of bad situations. Don't escalate them. FLEE. You can split lanes, ride up on the sidewalk, out brake, out turn and out acclerate most automobiles. Use this to your advantage. If you need to flee, turn into that parking lot, double back, slip between stopped cars, evade--don't fight.
Yeah, fleeing isn't as glamous as fighting but you can't beat up an SUV with your gloved fists and if a driver decides to park it on you? Even if it's a crime--you're still the one doing the hospital time.
Be smart. Be safe!
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