Do you think motorcyclists would die if people in cars would get off cellphones and watch what they are doing?

Question

I just read an article about Florida motorcycle deaths rising. I ride myself and find that car drivers do not watch where they are going. Not to stereotype, BUT... I have seen this with my own eyes. Drivers on cell phones are the worst.

Answer 1

Fewer of us would die. People were turning left in front of us long before cell phones. Just because you take the phone out of someone's ear doesn't mean their head is going to come out of their behind.

Answer 2

As a motorcycle rider, I've noticed a few things about car drivers that most people really dont notice. Perhaps when you drive in your car, you'll notice the same thing. The most important reason that motorcyclists get hit by cars isnt because the car driver is distracted on a cell phone, playing with the radio, or whatever. Its because they have been classically conditioned to look for other cars on the road because there are less motorcycles on the road. Try this next time you drive, when you stop at a 2 way stop sign on a four way interection and you look to check if the road is clear. Are you going to notice a car or a motorcycle? most people wont even notice the motorcycle, because its not what they are looking for.

A lot of schools for motorcyclists suggest that riders drive with their brights (headlights) on during the day and to change their exhaust to a louder version just so other drivers know that the bike is there.

Answer 3

In the UK driving whilst using a cellphone is illegal and comes with a spot fine. I'm all for the same thing being put in place here. However, even drivers who are not on a phone don't look for bikers. That is however not the sole reason, not all bikers are careful and I still can't get used to the fact there is no helmet law here! I've seen so many bikers wearing shorts, t shirt and sandals. I came off my bike in UK wearing leather pants, armoured jacket, leather boots, leather gloves and a helmet and it HURT! Thankfully I was able to ride home but had I been wearing less I'm sure I'd still have the scars if I survived it. Bikes are hard to see, especially with thier speed and not everyone drives with the care and attention to see other cars never mind a bike the fraction of the size.....

Answer 4

Unfortunately, motorcyclists would still perish. It is a dangerous sport.
Riding in poor weather, in adverse lighting conditions (especially at twilight), riding beyond their skill level and poor judgement kill as many motorcyclists as cars and trucks do.
But you are correct, if drivers in cars and trucks would stop distracting themselves with cell phones, newspapers, makeup, food, drink, and all the other things that they do besides watching the road, that particular form of biker death would be reduced.
In Washington, D.C., they have adopted "hands free" road rules, which means that anyone holding something in their hand and driving (cell phone, coffee cup, burrito or whatever) can and will be stopped and ticketed. It's not a perfect solution, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

Answer 5

Drivers in Connecticut (where I live) are not allowed to use their cellphones while driving and motorcyclists are still dying. My fiance and I ride his motorcycle often. We wear helmets and special jackets to help minimize injury if we were to fall. Many many motorcyclists don't wear helmets and that is a contributing factor to many deaths involved with motorcycles. We recently had a man on a harley riding about 25 mph in a rest area. He struck a curb with his tire went down and smashed his head open and died. If he had been wearing a helmet he wouldn't have died. Motorcyclists share the road with cars. Both have to learn to obey traffic signals and watch for each other. No one is perfect and accidents do happen. The best that you can do is prepare yourself for what can happen by trying to protect yourself the best you can.

Answer 6

Yes, cars are usually at fault in collisions with motorcycles, and they always use the same excuse, "I didnt see it". Sometimes that is true, but sometimes its not. Sometimes car drivers will look right at the motorcyclist before they willfully try to kill them. I've had drivers smile at me first, then try and run me over.

The dreaded cell phone. Yeah, people say talking on the phone while driving is doesnt affect their driving. Keep dreaming. You ever follow a person driving and talking on the phone? They might as well be drunk, cuz they drive just as bad. I got rear-ended on my bike by a lady talking on her cell phone. She never even knew she hit me.

But bike riders are sometimes at fault, especially the rice rocket speed racers. Many don't respect the power those things put out. Some over estimate their own skill level. Famous last words "watch this". I've seen some nasty crashes, via hotdogs on rice burners.

But cars are the main killa. Right now cars almost have a liscense to kill on the roads. Usually "i didnt see him" will keep the drivers butt out of jail, even when lying thru the teeth. In my state lane splitting is legal, and it drives the car drivers nuts. While the "cagers" are stuck in traffic, the bikes slice right thru it, between the cars. Cars will often try to squeeze the bikes out of spite. Go ahead and move in for the sqeeze. I will take the paint right off your car, and if you hurt me I will sue the crap out of you. And you WILL pay to fix my bike.

Answer 7

Uhmmm-- I don't know how old you are but motorcyclists have ALWAYS died on the road-- cell phones are a VERY new phenomenon. They we're around most of my lifetime and certainly VERY little since the advent of the motor vehicle. I agree wit you that people have no business driving while on the phone but for everyone's safety-- not just motorcyclists. Motorcyclists will stop dying when they stop riding motorcycles-- an unnecessarily dangerous mode of transportation.

Answer 8

no...i think that all people should be more careful when driving...including the motorcyclists. it's a fact that car drivers are not as aware of motorcycles as they should be...and that definately should change...but until that happens...motorcyclists are going to have to watch out for themselves.
i think what is needed is more attention to motorcyclists and teaching car drivers to share the road with them and watch out for them. Perhaps a campaign similar to the 'click it or ticket' campaign (a safety belt campaign which i believe is federally aided) is needed. but i do think it's unfair to place all the blame on cell phones.

Answer 9

Might help some but as motioned its about people not paying attention. I pretty much ride like I'm invisible. I've even had eye contact in some cases and still the dumb *tads act like they don't see me. I read someplace once that most drivers don't see you because they don't register you as a threat. Maybe if we could mount some kind of weapon they'd think twice about where the next bike was. Just kidding.

Answer 10

Yes because I live in phoenix and motorcyclists do not wear helmets, go 100 mph on surface streets and weave in and out of traffic. It is much the fault of the person operating the bike in an unsafe manner as it is the asshole on the cellphone.