Comment on 'Have a second look': Surge in motorcycle deaths prompts desperate plea to drivers
givesomefucks@lemmy.world 1 year ago
It’s weird there’s always calls for drivers to be more careful, but not the people making the choice to ride an unsafe vehicle.
Like wearing stilts to a moshpit and asking everyone else to be more careful and attentive
Motorcycle: 600 pounds, very good sight lines, ability to hear surroundings, maneuverable around obstacles
Car: over 2000 pounds, poor sight lines, poor stopping and maneuverabilty, lots of distractions.
motorcycles are more dangerous to the operator
cars are more dangarous to other road users
I reckon you’re still more likely to walk away from a crash between two cars than one between two motorcycles
Crash between two motorcycles is such an edge case it doesn’t even matter. Car hitting a motorcycle is the leading cause of death and ijury for motorcycle. The person operating the machine most capable of killing others is responsible for not killing others
But if we all rode motorcycles, this wouldn’t be an edge case; we would all be less safe. This, if everyone drove cars we would be safer. Safe cars can be had second hand for cheap, hence it is the choice of the rider to forego safety when riding a motorcycle. I’m not saying it’s unreasonable to ask that car drivers stay aware of motorcycles, but to make them wholly responsible for the safety of motorcyclists is ridiculous
Ok…
Did you read the article? It’s primarily aimed at motorcycle riders and states that rider behaviour is a large contributor to crashes. It urges motorcyclists to slow down and stay attentive, watch for hazards (vehicles and road conditions), keep an eye on traffic that might pull out onto the road in front of you. Seems all reasonable stuff to me.
It’s only the last section that’s mentions the need for drivers to be careful. And even then it’s only “please take a second look” which is always good advice. Always check twice so you don’t pull out and hit a motorcycle (or bicyclist, or pedestrian!) that was blocked from your view by the A-pillar when you glanced at traffic.
zik@aussie.zone 1 year ago
Nice victim blaming. Most motorcyclist deaths are due to them being hit by cars, but it’s their fault you’re saying?
dbilitated@aussie.zone 1 year ago
to be honest, as a rider, i always blame myself if i’m in a position to be hit by a car.
you really have to assume everyone is going to do the wrong thing and ride accordingly. it doesn’t matter if someone wasn’t supposed to do something, someone will eventually fail to see you and you’ve got to plan for it. I’ve had near misses but no accidents - and every near miss was a good lesson in what to look for in future. on a bike road rules are nice to know but you have to monitor everything for threats and make sure you’re always in a safe position. if you ride in someone’s blind spot you’re actively putting yourself in danger.
having said that, the op comment is an asshole. YES obviously car drivers should be more aware. what the fuck? if you’re obliviously running people off the road you don’t blame them, good lord what a fucking psycho.
givesomefucks@lemmy.world 1 year ago
No, I’m saying it’s weird to ask everyone to care more about someone’s health and safety than that person does.
Motorcycles aren’t as safe as cars, even if everyone is careful. Accidents happen, and cars have seatbelts, airbags, and a shit ton of other modern inventions.
Motorcycles have helmets and leather jackets, both of which aren’t required everywhere so motorcyclists don’t even wear them all the time.
If you cared about motorcyclists, I’d think this time would be better spent trying to make motorcycles safer by pushing for legislation.
Hell, they made those inflatable cocoons that go off like a giant airbag years ago. I’ve never seen one on the road, because they’re not “cool”. And if someone values safety over coolness, they wouldn’t be on a motorcycle at first
Mountaineer@aussie.zone 1 year ago
Now do “provocatively dressed women are asking to be raped…”
givesomefucks@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Oh wow, slippery slope?
People are just busting out the classics today, aren’t they?
dbilitated@aussie.zone 1 year ago
but, won’t car drivers being more aware help? if that’s a big factor, wouldn’t it be good to address?
if i’m reading this right, you don’t think car drivers should have to worry if they’re going to kill someone, because you think that person deserves it due to the risk they personally took on?
you think it’s too much to expect someone driving a safer vehicle to drive safely and not kill other people? you resent being told to pay basic attention while driving a car because if you hit someone that isn’t also in a car, they might die and that pisses you off?
wtf?
givesomefucks@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Well that’s the thing, you don’t seem like you are…
And I don’t think I’m going to help you understand, sorry
unionagainstdhmo@aussie.zone 1 year ago
I can’t stand it when people jump to the “victim-blaming” conclusion; anyone can be the victim, just depends on how you look at it plus it avoids actually responding to the argument