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[woode]

I was reminded today how horribly bad the average car driver is these days.  I took a relatively short ride from the Southern suburbs of Pittsburgh to Greensburg (about 45 miles), via Interstate highways most of the way.  I was cut off no less than six times by cars making either last minute lane change decisions, or being just plain inconsiderate.   I'm, of course, used to this kind of behavior, and I'm always on the lookout for it, but the level of incompetance seems to have reached a new level.  I don't take it as a personal affront to motorcyclists, as I saw these bozos doing the same thing to other cars in the distance after almost killing me.

Ed

[Firechief2]

Yes, it is getting worse. I have noticed over the past couple of years that a lot more women are driving like idiots (and a large number of those happen to also be on their cell phones  )

[ice6900]

Thats exactly why its best to ride in the fast lane.

[RickC]

Yes, it is getting worse. I have noticed over the past couple of years that a lot more women are driving like idiots (and a large number of those happen to also be on their cell phones  )

Fire Chief, it's not just women on their cell phones. Men on cell phones are equally dangerous. See the article U.S. safety group calls for mobile phone driving ban on the Reuters news service web site.

Here's an interesting quote from the article:

"Studies show that driving while talking on a mobile phone is extremely dangerous and puts drivers at a four times greater risk of a crash," Froetscher said in a telephone interview.

Many states and Washington, D.C. have laws requiring the use of a hands-free device while driving and using a cellphone. But several recent studies have shown drivers are far more distracted when speaking on a mobile phone, even with a speaker or headset, than talking to a live passenger.

Last month Dave Strayer of the University of Utah and colleagues demonstrated that drivers using a hands-free device drifted out of their lanes and missed exits more frequently than drivers talking to a passenger.

Strayer's team has also shown that drivers using mobile telephones are as impaired as drivers who are legally drunk.

[Gone Fishin']

People using cell phones in cars are dangerous. Period.

Remind yourself: When you speak on the phone while driving a car, has it not happened to you that you suddenly realized that you drove a while without paying attention to the road and others cars, being somewhat surprised at where you already are? If you combine this absent-mindedness with the lesser ability to steer with a single hand, you've got a perfect mix for an accident. That is, specifically as a motorcycle rider, why I do applaud the countries and states, who have laws against cellphone use (without handsfree sets) in cars.

Ride safely,
Louis

[metalgrind]

That's why I am on the list to purchase the new CVO Solid Chrome steamroller, then let them cross my path! 

[RickC]

LOL! Good one, metalgrind!

I know I hate Hummers worst of all. They can't see you. I learned the hardway when one ran over me -- her fault -- turning into a gas station...

[Gone Fishin']

That's why I am on the list to purchase the new CVO Solid Chrome steamroller, then let them cross my path! 

This one?

Ride safely,
Louis

[1abastarsmda]

I was reminded today how horribly bad the average car driver is these days.  I took a relatively short ride from the Southern suburbs of Pittsburgh to Greensburg (about 45 miles), via Interstate highways most of the way.  I was cut off no less than six times by cars making either last minute lane change decisions, or being just plain inconsiderate.   I'm, of course, used to this kind of behavior, and I'm always on the lookout for it, but the level of incompetance seems to have reached a new level.  I don't take it as a personal affront to motorcyclists, as I saw these bozos doing the same thing to other cars in the distance after almost killing me.

Ed

I wish I had known you were heading over that way today.  We could have met up.  I was almost to Greensburg today to meet up with the guy that bought my old Road King.  The dealer gave him my number and he called me today to buy my music collection I had recorded on SD cards for the mp3 player on the bike.  I had thoughts of getting that bike back and having two bikes, but then it suddenly disappeared from the dealer.  At least I know where it's at now, and I can get together with him and have some visitation rights.  Anyway, if you are heading over that way, send me a PM to let me know.  I end up at Z&M Harley and M&M Leather in Greensburg on a pretty regular basis.  As far as the cages go, it's definitely scary out there.  I worry everytime I pass someone, hoping that they don't decide to change lanes for no reason.  I also learned something last week.  I drove a friend out to the dealer to pick up his bike and he followed me home on his bike.  He has an 08 SEUC with D&D FatCat and I listened carefully as he followed me home.  I could not hear his bike at all.  I turned the stereo off and tried putting the window down and I still could not hear him behind me.  The cars in front of you do not hear loud pipes until you are already beside them, and that is usually too late.

[Firechief2]

Fire Chief, it's not just women on their cell phones. Men on cell phones are equally dangerous.

I agree - cell phones and driving do not mix.
My observation was that women are driving more aggressively than in the past ( maybe I am just getting old  ). It seems to me that it used to be more of a male trait to - draft off my topcase at 70 mph on a freeway ( I may resort to carrying some old bolts in my pocket again  ) - cut back in so close after passing me that I can read your small print bumper stickers - treat stop signs as if they were merge or yield signs. I'm sure others here will add some more.

[bbrown]

I know there is a lot of talk on loud pipes and recognize there are lots of abuse.  My Samsons are a little loud but they have help save me more than once.  I sure like it when someone on their cell looks in the side or back mirror to see me.  When I get I contact with a cell user I feel much more confident

[woode]

I wish I had known you were heading over that way today.  We could have met up.  I was almost to Greensburg today to meet up with the guy that bought my old Road King.  The dealer gave him my number and he called me today to buy my music collection I had recorded on SD cards for the mp3 player on the bike.  I had thoughts of getting that bike back and having two bikes, but then it suddenly disappeared from the dealer.  At least I know where it's at now, and I can get together with him and have some visitation rights.  Anyway, if you are heading over that way, send me a PM to let me know.  I end up at Z&M Harley and M&M Leather in Greensburg on a pretty regular basis.  As far as the cages go, it's definitely scary out there.  I worry everytime I pass someone, hoping that they don't decide to change lanes for no reason.  I also learned something last week.  I drove a friend out to the dealer to pick up his bike and he followed me home on his bike.  He has an 08 SEUC with D&D FatCat and I listened carefully as he followed me home.  I could not hear his bike at all.  I turned the stereo off and tried putting the window down and I still could not hear him behind me.  The cars in front of you do not hear loud pipes until you are already beside them, and that is usually too late.

It was a spur of the moment ride.  I was looking for an excuse to take the wife for a ride on Sunday, and we hadn't been to M&M for a while.  Turned out to be a not-so-pleasant ride, what with the harrowing parkway experience, colder than expected weather, and riding through an unusually dark Squirrel Hill tunnel with dark sunglasses on.  I was happy to get home.

Ed

[1abastarsmda]

It was a spur of the moment ride.  I was looking for an excuse to take the wife for a ride on Sunday, and we hadn't been to M&M for a while.  Turned out to be a not-so-pleasant ride, what with the harrowing parkway experience, colder than expected weather, and riding through an unusually dark Squirrel Hill tunnel with dark sunglasses on.  I was happy to get home.

Ed

I thought you took a more scenic route.  I hate the Squirrel Hill tunnels on the bike.  I'm not too thrilled about riding through any of the tunnels for that matter, by Sq Hill is the worst.  I try to stay off the Parkway in general as much as possible.  I had a near death experience with a cage a few years ago on the Parkway West heading east toward the tunnel.  Ever since, I have avoided the Parkway.

I was at M&M and Z&M Harley across the street again yesterday.  I really spend way too much time over that way, but I had a gift card for Z&M to use, and you know that was burning a hole in my pocket.

[1abastarsmda]

Just thought about the other road that I avoid like the plague.  Rt 51 from the Liberty Tubes on out to around Century III Mall.  Those narrow lanes, with all that traffic scares me.

[MUFFMAN]

Fire Chief, it's not just women on their cell phones. Men on cell phones are equally dangerous. See the article U.S. safety group calls for mobile phone driving ban on the Reuters news service web site.

Here's an interesting quote from the article:

Some ass in a cage hit and seriously injured a biker last fall in our area. Went right through a stop sign. Just before the accident another car driver phoned the cops on this moron. Apparently he had a DVD player on the dash watching what looked like porn. Investigation after the accident confirmed what the caged pervert was watching.

[woode]

Just thought about the other road that I avoid like the plague.  Rt 51 from the Liberty Tubes on out to around Century III Mall.  Those narrow lanes, with all that traffic scares me.

Oh yeah, talk about a scenic route!  How about the lovely intersection of 51 & 88.  Nice way to spend 15 minutes on a hot summer afternoon.  Probably the main reason that I never go to Hot Metal H-D.

Ed

[1abastarsmda]

Oh yeah, talk about a scenic route!  How about the lovely intersection of 51 & 88.  Nice way to spend 15 minutes on a hot summer afternoon.  Probably the main reason that I never go to Hot Metal H-D.

Ed

51 & 88 is a real joy to deal with.  I have a nice straight shot to Hot Metal from my direction, but I understand what you mean from your direction.  If I were you and trying to head there, I'd take some different routes than 51, even though that's the most direct route.