Sometimes... It's just not your time

[planegray]

I flipped a u turn and went after her. She ended up stopping in the center divide and I stopped in front of her. She had her license taken away and sent back to the DMV for an emergency re-eval and got a ride home

So then YOU were going the wrong way on the freeway, on a moto ? :wow

How did THAT feel ? :laughing

 

[Roadstergal]

Scary stuff. Well done. Thanks for getting her off the road.

That, and glad you're ok...!

My wrong-way motorcycle story is turning onto the entrance ramp for 405 in Bellevue, and having to swerve out of the way of a car coming up the entrance ramp the wrong way. It was 10 in the morning on a clear day, and they were a professional-looking middle-aged couple - cluelessness knows no age barriers...

 

[ScottRNelson]

I feel like the DMV should make you re-take your driving test once you hit a certain age...it's mind blowing to me that a completely sober person can go the wrong direction on the freeway.

Although there are so many terrible younger drivers on the road too, so maybe the driving test isn't hard enough

Maybe we all should have to take it again every five years or so. I've had a California driver license since 1988 and have only had to go back to the DMV one time, when they took a thumb print and a new photo of me. No need for a written test or anything.

I would like to see at least a one-day safety course requirement every five years or so. Something a step up from traffic school, which is now a bit of a joke when taken online.

I think that our drivers would improve if we did something like this. Maybe force motorcyclists to take the Experienced Rider Course (or whatever they call it now) as well.

 

[P90Wex]

Maybe we all should have to take it again every five years or so. I've had a California driver license since 1988 and have only had to go back to the DMV one time, when they took a thumb print and a new photo of me. No need for a written test or anything.

I would like to see at least a one-day safety course requirement every five years or so. Something a step up from traffic school, which is now a bit of a joke when taken online.

I think that our drivers would improve if we did something like this. Maybe force motorcyclists to take the Experienced Rider Course (or whatever they call it now) as well.

Agreed - I'd totally be willing to do this myself if it meant keeping the dangerous drivers off the road.

 

[sckego]

Coming back from a drunken night out at some gentlemen's clubs (yes, we had a DD), exiting 35S to 4th St in downtown Fort Worth, which is a very tight, fun, one-way two-lane right-left chicane (ooh, that rhymed!). We're hard into the right hander when two cars blow by in the other lane, heading onto the freeway the wrong way. *whooshwhoosh* and they were gone. Driver and I both go "HOLYSHIT!" and everyone else is all, "whaaaat?" Nobody else in the car had any idea, they thought we were bullshitting them. Still freaks me out to think what would have happened if either we or they had chosen to be in the other lane...

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[bunnygoat]

What we need is a citizen administered emergency DMV re-evaluation whenever shitty drivers are spotted!

 

[clutchslip]

Didn't even have time to shit my pants. Be careful out there, never know what's waiting for you.

Good thing you weren't outriding your sightline.

Three wrong ways for me, just on a bike:
One - Van Ness and Post. I jumped the sidewalk and squeezed between a wall and the delivery truck going the wrong way on Post. Tight.
Two - Hwy 1, just north of Santa Barbara. Semi blows a tire crosses center divider. I cross center divider to avoid him, cross divider again back to my correct side. Leaping liter bikes!
Three - San Andreas, near my home. Guy suddenly drives on my side of road. Couldn't avoid that head-on. Hi! I survived -duh ...... barely.

 

[ThumperX]

Glad you're OK :thumbup It isn't always elderly or drunk people, it's also stressed out, tired, and emotionally fried folks.
Be careful!

 

[MikeyRocks]

I had a near death experience two years ago in that same section of 780. Almost got struck by a driver not paying attention and lost control of his vehicle and ended up in the ditch, almost hitting me on my moto in the process.

Just out of curiosity, was this lady cited for anything?

 

[Ozymandias]

Holy shit! I can't even imagine how freaky that would be. On the upside you were able to immediately do something about it. :thumbup

But yeah, our licensing needs to be harder and I agree that we should have to do some sort of retest every so often as well.

 

[louemc]

Cruising along in the number one lane of I-780 EB approaching 680, minding my own business. For those of you not familiar, it's two lanes with an uphill blind left, maybe couple hundred feet of visibility. About to turn in for the curve and here comes 90 year old woman wrong way in my lane at probably 50mph.


Uhhhhh yeah. Not even enough time for 'oh shit'. Dynamite the brakes and dove to the number two without thinking. She goes by with maybe a 70mph difference.

Didn't even have time to shit my pants. Be careful out there, never know what's waiting for you.

One of those most excellent reasons to have acquired Competition skills/reflexes, and ride bikes that are made to carry them out :thumbup

 

[louemc]

Glad you're OK :thumbup It isn't always elderly or drunk people, it's also stressed out, tired, and emotionally fried folks.
Be careful!

Exactly... I lived with a Manic-depressive, that tried to kill herself, by crashing her car...So I can relate to your list.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

I flipped a u turn and went after her. She ended up stopping in the center divide and I stopped in front of her. She had her license taken away and sent back to the DMV for an emergency re-eval and got a ride home

What did she say when you pulled her over? Had she figured out she was going the wrong direction yet?

Maybe we all should have to take it again every five years or so. I've had a California driver license since 1988 and have only had to go back to the DMV one time, when they took a thumb print and a new photo of me. No need for a written test or anything.

I would like to see at least a one-day safety course requirement every five years or so. Something a step up from traffic school, which is now a bit of a joke when taken online.

I think that our drivers would improve if we did something like this. Maybe force motorcyclists to take the Experienced Rider Course (or whatever they call it now) as well.

Uhm... I've been riding motos since the mid-80's... spent 3 years moto-only... have been a track day instructor, and been racing for 3 years... have yet to toss a bike down the road... please tell me why I should be "forced" to take the "Experienced Rider Course"?

 

[OLeary]

So then YOU were going the wrong way on the freeway, on a moto ? :wow

How did THAT feel ? :laughing

Inquiring minds need to know

 

[ScottRNelson]

Uhm... I've been riding motos since the mid-80's... spent 3 years moto-only... have been a track day instructor, and been racing for 3 years... have yet to toss a bike down the road... please tell me why I should be "forced" to take the "Experienced Rider Course"?

Hey, I said "maybe".

The whole idea is that I think EVERYONE should have some sort of training once in a while related to driving a car, and since it would be good for drivers, maybe it would be good for motorcycle riders too.

Of course I don't need any training because I'm a good driver/rider, but everybody else could use some more training. :x

 

[Roadstergal]

But yeah, our licensing needs to be harder and I agree that we should have to do some sort of retest every so often as well.

I agree with both, but that'll never fly. Because FREEDOMM!1!!!!1

 

[ST Guy]

Glad you're OK :thumbup It isn't always elderly or drunk people, it's also stressed out, tired, and emotionally fried folks.
Be careful!

Yep. 'Gotta expect it any time.

I was heading south on Central Expressway in Sunnyvale once and had just hit the peak of the roadway as it crosses over Lawrence Expressway. All of a sudden, there's a middle aged woman driving the wrong way in the #1. I was already in the #2 so I took the time to honk and wave madly. Fortunately, she relalized her mistake quickly and pulled over into the center divide before she started up the rise that crosses Lawrence.

And another time, pulling a 19 foot trailer with my Toyota 4Runner at night in Wyoming on a 2 lane highway, a huge semi cam around the corner half in my lane. I barely had time or space to react and he just missed me.

 

[ex911]

Freeway. It's pretty typical for elderly and drunks to end up in the number one lane because they think it's the slow lane for them, just never thought it would happen to me.

Definitely worth remember this point!

I feel like the DMV should make you re-take your driving test once you hit a certain age...it's mind blowing to me that a completely sober person can go the wrong direction on the freeway.

Although there are so many terrible younger drivers on the road too, so maybe the driving test isn't hard enough :confused

Not just a maybe! It's def too easy! The only license easier to get in Calif is a marriage license, and we know how that turns out for 50% of the license holders

 

[Ozymandias]

I agree with both, but that'll never fly. Because FREEDOMM!1!!!!1

Sucks! But then we can try to pass laws that say you can't buy a sugary beverage in a restaurant larger than 16 ounces. :facepalm

I love my country but sometimes I'm so ashamed by it. Kind of like your favorite uncle when he pops off some inappropriate comment. :laughing

 

[etxxz]

Wow dude.... wow. I have a fear that one day said driver will see you and try to swerve out of the way right where you swerved out of the way. wow.. pray to your guardian angel.



I lived in Boca Raton FL for 13years; where the average age was 105yr! Saw people in the wrong side, i mean curb and K-rails, maybe 10times. Some drunk, some plain drunk, some both! Hell it must contagious because one night, and less than a mile from my house i made a long left turn and ended up on the wrong side too. I quickly realized i fucked up and pulled a U-ey like nothing happened : p