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FAST THOUGHTS FROM JESSICA LEE

Thursday January 31st, 2008

My Opinion On Motorcycle Crashes

Its simple, a car is bigger than a motorcycle so when the two collide who do you think will win in the end? A bike may be able maneuver through traffic and fly passed all the cars but most car drivers are not expecting a bike to come speeding by. No matter if youve been riding for 50 years, you still have to always be on the lookout for the guy on the cell phone in traffic.

Not too long ago here in Central Florida four riders have been either killed or seriously injured. Most of these recent accidents involved a bike/car collision. One of them happened close to my house at a busy intersection when a truck and trailer pulled out in front of a sportbike. The bike crashed right into the back of the trailer; the rider wasnt wearing a helmet. Unfortunately the rider did not make it. The 3 other crashes happened on the busy Interstate 4 when 3 bikes riding late at night lost control. Im not too sure about what happened with those crashes but I am pretty sure that one of the riders got hit by a car. Its just really sad.

This kind of thing happens all the time, all over the country. I do agree that bikes need to slow it down sometimes, but most car drivers need to pay more attention instead of putting on their makeup, drinking coffee, or talking on the phone. Another thing that bothers me is that here in FL local law enforcement is taking reckless motorcycle riders to jail but not being as serious with drunk drivers! Which do you think is worse? Most of the time a motorcycle hitting a car won't kill the family of 5 but a drunk driver behind the wheel of a pickup truck very easily could.

I say it's time to start preventing accidents. I think everyone will agree with me when I say that going down hard on the street is every rider's nightmare. Now, I know I don't ride on the street or have my motorcycle street license but I have many people close to me who are avid sportbike riders. Yes, wheelies are fun and exciting but also dangerous. Going 120 on the highway seems like the right thing to do but unfortunately for all the speed demons out there; it's not. So next time you go out for a ride please try to keep it calm around high traffic areas and keep an eye out for all the crazy soccer moms in minivans!

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Posted by Jessica @ 10:28 - Permalink - 1 Comments
Tags: motorcycle crashes

Comments

hmmm.... with all my plans for the upcoming season, I can honestly say slowing down wasn't on my list.

Even if I don't, you got me asking myself if I should.
From princesskiwi on 2008-02-06 20:28 - Permalink

THE AUTHOR

Jessica "Motogirl" Lee is a 34 year old motocross racer and journalist. Born into a family of motorcycle enthusiasts and industry insiders, she has been riding and nurturing a passion for motorcycles from the age of four.

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