Steve Smith

3/20/99

Mr. Davis, I commute in one of the most congested environments in the country, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. As there are in many other places, dedicated left turn lanes are sometimes controlled by signals which have both a protected turn arrow indicator as well as an unprotected turn light. The protected turn arrow goes off as the unprotected turn light comes on, which occurs when the through lanes are given the right of way (green light). I have gratefully used the advice presented in "One Rule That Will keep You Alive On City Streets" as it made instant good sense to me. The greatest and most persistent danger I have faced in heavy traffic is from the vehicle in the opposing left turn lane on a two-way street or in the left side street when I am on a one-way street. By staying to the left and insuring there was traffic on my right, I have commuted safely into and out of Olde Towne Alexandria on heavily traveled Route 1 for two years. One of the few times I ignored the rule I suffered the consequences. Broken rib, punctured lung, thigh swollen to twice its normal size, jammed shoulder, cut and contused knee, bruised and swollen foot, and various and sundry injuries and trauma inflicted by the accident and my physicians. Those ten days in the hospital taught me a great deal about my ability to endure pain. I am mending well. It has been six weeks since the accident, and though my life is far from normal I am happy to be here and looking forward to a complete recovery. Unfortunately, my lovely motorcycle was totaled (cost to repair greater than price new) and my wife is none to warm to the idea of replacing it. However, always the optimist, I will be watching the weather reports for Hades - just in case. Even though I never sought notice as a counter example, I believe it is more important to get the word out. This is marvelous advice and I thank you for your hard work and dedication. Steven D. Smith Alexandria, VA

 

R. Bain	10/05/97
A few points to consider: 1. Reduced line of sight. Any visual obstruction (shield) will reduce the amount of information you have about the immediate surroundings. Abbreviated information can mean a less than optimal decision. 2. Chance you "shield" will try to avoid the on coming vehicle by moving into you. 3. The "shield" could be struck with enough force to ram you.

 

Ivan Burke

06/17/97

In your one rule that will keep you alive on city streets you say and I quote. "If you can avoid it, never enter an intersection without another vehicle on your right side." In doing this I feel You are telling riders to set them self's up for an accident. With another vehicle beside you , half of the traffic can no longer see you and you have camouflaged your self from the other half. According to the Hurt study of motorcycle accidents one of the finding was and I quote. "The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision." Also in always going through an inter section beside a vehicle reduces your space cushion by 50% and gives you no escape route to the right at all. I always like to have an escape route from left turners. As we find in the Hurt study, and I quote. "Deliberate hostile action by a motorist against a motorcycle rider is a rare accident cause. The most frequent accident configuration is the motorcycle proceeding straight then the automobile makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle." And my third point in argument about the practice of always going through an inter section beside another vehicle is a final quote from the Hurt study. "The view of the motorcycle or the other vehicle involved in the accident is limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles in almost half of the multiple vehicle accidents."