Rainy days equals more reckless drivers

Philippines
July 31, 2012 7:07pm CST
Yesterday, I almost got into an accident because a motorcycle was overtaking a car in a blind curve. And, I am on the lane opposite them. That time the rainfall was a bit heavy. If he badly wanted to avoid the rain, why didn't he, the driver of the motorcycle, didn't just stop for a while in a place where he could take shelter and wait for the rain to subside? Considering the rate of motorcycle related accidents here in our country, he was lucky he didn't get into one for what he did. I guess, drivers are getting more reckless during rainy days. When the opposite thing should happen - they should be more careful during heavy rains since braking could be delayed because of reduced traction/friction on the road. They should also consider other factors like visibility, fallen trees or other structures on the road, etc.
1 person likes this
7 responses
mytravelaroundglobe
@sanjay91422 (2725)
• India
1 Aug 12
I get such people here too and it is not the bikers but mostly the car drivers here. I ride a motor cycle and sometimes they don't leave the space for even a biker. I yells at them sometimes. It was a tourist season and many outsiders come to my place and that is why the traffic got increased and so the bad driving. I think it will be get improved in few day here.
usemyname
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
Yes, people can do a lot of crazy things during heavy traffic. By the way, I think it's good that your government decided to leave a space for bikers on the road. That idea was actually implemented here months ago but haven't heard about it recently. It could greatly lessen accidents involving bikes/motorcycles.
usemyname
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
2 Aug 12
That is indeed scary! It's a good thing you have a lot of patience, sanjay! But if these sort of things becomes repetitive, you could lose your cool.
mytravelaroundglobe
@sanjay91422 (2725)
• India
1 Aug 12
There is no special space for the bikers here, I am talking about a two lane road and I am talking about the scene when the vehicles coming from the other lane completely fills your lane too and you have no option but to get out of the road to avoid the accidents.
asdomencil
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
You got a point there motorcycle drivers should stop for a while until rain subsides if they really want to avoid being wet by the rain and not drive faster to reach their destination immediately. I drive motorcycle too, but I am very carefull during heavy rain, if visibility is a problem, I would rather look for a place where I can stop for a while. Furthermore, upon driving, I really took it slow because I know that roads are slippery when it rains.
usemyname
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
Kudos to you, asdomencil. You can seldom see motorcycle drivers here that can drive with discretion, and I believe you are one them. People like you are the reason why I don't generalize that all motorcycle drivers are reckless.
asdomencil
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
Thanks for that. Yes, not all motorcycle drivers are reckless but I guess the percentage of reckless is really higher compared to respponsible ones. In driving, there are really great responsibility.
rsa101
@rsa101 (37968)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
I guess that is true. When rain like these even the non reckless drivers can become victims of accident as well since you cannot really predict what is to come while you are driving. There are the floods which if not anticipated you might get in the middle of it and get stuck and worse your car can conked out from it.
usemyname
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
Yes, they can become victims of these reckless drivers. No matter how careful you drive, if people like these are around, your chances of getting into an accident is suddenly increased.
shylade
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
I agree with you. Sometimes, no matter how careful you are but others are now, accidents do happen. I also wonder what's in the head of most of motorcycles. They always want to go first and they love overtaking even buses. The scary fact is they do it even when raining and the road is slippery wet. They counter flow too during heavy traffics not minding the vehicles coming.
skyandgrassplot
@skyandgrassplot (1497)
• China
1 Aug 12
The motorcycle is very dangerous in the rainy day cause they are not as steady as a car and without shelter on the top,so I think the best way to avoid the accident by motorcycle is do not allow the motorcycle user to drive in the rainy day,actually my city is not allow to drive motorcycle already no matter it is a rainy day or sunny day,cause the high rate of motorcycle accident,they can ride a bike or take a bus instead.
usemyname
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
Wow! A city with no motorcycles? That would be nice, but then people here would be mad if that would happen here since many people here prefer to take the motorcycle as the mode of transportation. The reason they decide to go with the motorcycle is that it cost less in terms of fuel consumption, and also it is easier for them to find an alternative way during heavy traffic.
Raine38
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
1 Aug 12
Glad you made it home safe. That's really sad and concerning. But until these people start to care not only for their own lives but also those of the others on the road with them, there will always be casualties in road accidents. They will always add up to the statistics.
usemyname
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
Thanks for your concern, Raine38. I was actually more concerned of the driver of the motorcycle since he almost slipped that time. It's a good thing I was driving slowly.
fantabulus
@fantabulus (4000)
• India
7 Aug 12
You are right most of the drivers are reckless they dont want to save their own life and other's life. Not drive properly overtake is now common thing.