Kevin's
love for motorcycles started at a young age. He recalls, as his
earliest childhood memory, riding with his dad on his Royal Enfield
around their apple orchard in the Adelaide Hills. Fifteen years later
his life ended tragically, while doing what he loved so much -
riding his motorcycle.
But
as happens in most road crashes, two motorists meet at the same time and
place and make a mistake. It cost Kevin his life.
|
Pic:
Google Images |
Traveling
on a motorcycle holds two great dangers: One, there is no metal
body to protect a rider in case of a mishap. Two, being much
smaller than other motorized traffic motor cycles are less visible
in traffic. They can can disappear and appear unexpectedly.
Whilst
reckless riders often crash at high speed, or squeezing through
narrow gaps, failing to apply a safety margin, the following crash
was mainly caused by a taxi driver, who failed a simple safety
check, which only takes 1/2 second to do
|
It
all started when a black limousine (picture below) cruising at approx.
60 km/h on a dual-lane main road braked unexpectedly:
| The
driver, traveling in the right hand lane, had spotted the petrol
tanker, which was trying to exit his depot onto the main road.
Wanting to
be polite he decided, at the last moment, to brake and let the
huge vehicle enter onto the main road.
Trying
to assist this other road user, proved to be a BIG mistake!
Braking impulsively was not a good move!
|
|
The
bus driver behind the black limo had been travelling at a safe
distance and anticipated what was to unfold. The taxi driver (vehicle
on bottom right) could neither see, nor anticipate the scene in front
of the bus. He was about to cause a road death!
Time
is money for professional drivers. In heavy or slow traffic, as
all motorists do, they try to pick the fastest lane. In our case
the taxi driver decided to change into the free left lane beside
him.
He
checked his rear-view mirrors - both were
clear! There was only just
enough space to clear the bus, as the driver jumped from the
right-hand lane to the left.
 |
Horror
of horrors! It was too
late when the taxi driver became aware of the mistake! In a split
second the motorcycle rider appeared out of nowhere!
On
two wheels there was not much the motorcycle rider could do to
avoid the collision. He lost control of his machine and was thrown
against a pole beside the road. |
Kevin died on impact!
There
was barely any damage to the taxi.
Verdict:
Never decide to brake
suddenly, unless in an emergency!
Always
maintain a safe distance to the traffic
in front, just in case traffic slows or stops suddenly! Keeping greater
distance increases forward vision!
Avoid
travelling beside vehicles in their blind
spot!
Always
check over your shoulder, not just your
mirrors. There may be someone beside/behind you, hidden from view in
your blind spot.
|
Blind
spot! >>>
Even
when adjusted perfectly, rear-view mirrors may fail to show
motorcycle riders, even small motor vehicles, travelling right
beside you. Blind-spots are on both sides of your vehicle!
It
may not happen often, but in our story, this fact caused one death
too many!
Pic.
Google Images |
|
Riding
or driving in another vehicle's blind spot should be avoided.
Either drop back or move forward
|
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HOME
About the
author:
Dieter
Fischer, a German born
Australian, taught thousands of people to drive during his almost 30-year
career. He was a pioneer in online road safety, establishing his first
website in 1998. He and his wife were married in 1971. They have four
grown-up children and live in Adelaide, South Australia. |
Road Rules on this site may vary in your part of the
world. We urge new drivers to undertake on-road lessons with a
professional driving instructor.
Site
by Dieter Fischer, Revised 2020. |
