Irresponsible Motorcylcle Riders
By deemazing
@deemazing (395)
United States
August 22, 2008 6:03pm CST
I have to vent a little bit here. You know how when you are driving, you sometimes come into contact with an idiot on a motorcylce who thinks he is indespensable to the world, so he weaves in and out of traffic? I'm always afraid I'm going to hit him...so I never let one in front of me and if one is near me I get as far away from it as I can.
Well, just the other day, I was driving my car and a motorcycle came inches from my bumper THE WRONG WAY down the road! The problem is, in Pennsylvania, I was told that if I had hit him and he died or got seriously injured, I would be liable not only through my insurance but as a charge against me. Now, that is complete bull if you ask me...how can you hold someone responsible for some idiot going the wrong way down a road, on a motorcycle, at 120 mph? I wonder if that is true or not.
The other story I have is of a woman around my way that was arrested for killing a man on a motorcycle. She pulled out of a street and would have been fine, had she known that this man on a motorcycle was going 60 mph over the speed limit. She was charged.
Have you ever been charged for hitting a motorcycle that was going top speed and couldn't slow down when you pulled out? I thought it was about being in control of your OWN vehicle, not someone elses? For example, in Pennsylvania if you are driving between two cars and the back car hits you and pushes you forward into another car, you are held responsible for the car in front of you because you weren't far enough apart from them to stop at a safe distance.
2 responses
@Graagh (95)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Driving the wrong way? I can't say.
But pulling out? Yes, you are responsible. Sure, it isn't completely your fault, and sure the other driver or motorcyclist is supposed to be paying attention, going reasonable speed, whatever. But when you are driving, it isn't just about you being in control of your car. That control should be there, of course, but you have to know that not everyone is a good, safe driver that will follow the rules.
Even if you have the right of way you have to be careful that other people don't go anyways. This is the same sort of idea. It isn't about what the other person is supposed to do. It's about what they actually do, and being ready to react to that. If you pull out when someone is coming down the road, it is just as much your fault that they hit you, because you have to be able to do what you can to prevent accidents. You can't rely on the other.
And now, a smile, to lighten the mood. :)
