Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amdahl.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!nsc!amdahl!ems
From: ems@amdahl.UUCP (ems)
Newsgroups: net.flame,net.auto
Subject: Re: Driving as a right or privilege (Motorcycles...)
Message-ID: <2162@amdahl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 28-Oct-85 18:32:35 EST
Article-I.D.: amdahl.2162
Posted: Mon Oct 28 18:32:35 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Nov-85 00:25:56 EST
References: <189@ucdavis.UUCP> <216@l5.uucp>
Organization: Circle C Shellfish Ranch, Shores-of-the-Pacific, Ca
Lines: 36
Xref: watmath net.flame:12556 net.auto:8596


  ...
> They also require eye tests in Calif, though I don't know if you have
> to retake them occasionally.  In many states the AARP has successfully
> avoided making older people stop driving when they can't see any more.
> This leads to things like "the usual" way for a motorcyclist to die
> being to have an old lady pull out right in front of her.  This has
> happened to me 3 or 4 times; I avoided the collision (with difficulty),
> and screamed at the driver at the next intersection.  Mostly they just
> say "I didn't see you" either as an excuse or a justification of almost
> killing me on the spot...
> 
I have been in the same situation.  I have had to head for the dirt
to avoid a moving steel wall on wheels.  A very good friend was recently
in intensive care for the same reason.  I have 20-20 vision in both eyes
and very good relexes.  I have also cut of a motorcyclist on more than
one occasion.  The point?  No matter how much you *WANT* to help bikers,
they are still hard to see.  (The last one was a small trail bike in
my blind spot while driving into the sunset.  The side lighting blinded
me somewhat when I did my reflex look to the side.  His yellow paint
was lost in the general yellow glare.  Didn't make me feel any less
like a chump when half way through changing lanes the guy pulled
past me on the center line ...)

You ride your bike and take your chances.  I did.  I wrecked two
bikes before I gave up on the idea.  You don't have to be old, feeble,
or uncaring to not see a bike.

-- 

E. Michael Smith  ...!{hplabs,ihnp4,amd,nsc}!amdahl!ems

'If you can dream it, you can do it'  Walt Disney

This is the obligatory disclaimer of everything. (Including but
not limited to: typos, spelling, diction, logic, and nuclear war)