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)