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[TinSpinner]

Most of us who ride have had the uncomfortable, sometimes painful, experience of a vehicle pulling out into our line of travel as if they didn't even see us. Often after an accident involving a motorcycle and a car or truck the driver will say they never even saw the motorcycle. Yesterday that happened to me, I was the truck driver who pulled out in front of a motorcycle. Fortunately the rider saw me and was able to change course and avoid a collision but it rattled me.

I was pulling out of a gas station and looked both ways, didn't see anything in either direction. Since there was no stop sign I didn't come to a complete stop and proceeded into the roadway turning left. Just as I entered the road a bike suddenly appeared on my right, traveling slow but right ahead of my right fender. The riders eyes were as big as saucers and I could read his lips as he commented on my mother and my sexual preferences  . I stopped hard and he was able to turn behind me on the right. After the close call I backed up and apologized to the rider who was obviously shaken. My truck is a Ford F-150, the blind spot created by the door frame and the windshield pillar is big enough that as I was approaching the road it completely obscured the motorcycle, I guess the speeds we were traveling were just right that as I approached the road he remained in my blind spot the entire time. As I explained the blind spot to the rider he calmed down and we both went away with a better understanding of the dangers they can be for everyone, hopefully he will be a more cautious rider but I will certainly be a more observant driver. Be careful riders and drivers, know your blind spots and look around them, the life you save may be your own.

[bigchuck]

A good reminder to all of us. I'm glad it ended well for all involved.

[9sec240]

I always look both ways twice.  Even so, I've had similar experinces.  Always jolts me into being more cautious in my car and on my bike.

[dayne66]

The 'A' pillar on my Grand Cherokee is big enough to hide a bike....thanks for the reminder to be extra vigilant in looking out for our fellow riders!

[Twolanerider]

Depending on your helmet in can happen surprisingly easy on a bike too.  Some 3/4 and full face lids come forward enough that your peripheral vision is obscured in ways you just don't realize.  It's something I'd not have fully realized until a really good shop rep at an Indie shop made me REALLY look out both sides of an Arai many years ago without actually turning my head.  Just to see the differences in peripheral vision with and without the lid.  Since then I never try one on just for fit/shape/comfort.  Always bend my eyeballs as far to the side as I can too.

[HUBBARD]

I can relate.  I'm guilty, too, but I try to do better.  Thank God, no contact or injury.  Normal people, (those that don't ride), are not looking for Motorcycles, they're looking for other cars or trucks.  The blind spot just makes it more dangerous for us Bikers.  Be careful out there!    Later--HUBBARD 

[longlast]

That post blind spot has caught me out before driving my cage. It has blocked out cars and a bike before close calls
I'm sure it has happened to a lot of us but I think it's something most don't want to say it's happened.
It's good you spoke out. It never hurts getting a reminder       

[grayghost731]

A good reminder to all of us. I'm glad it ended well for all involved.

       Besides  the  people  texing         I'm  Also  Freaked  out  by smelling pot  out of every other  car  goin by!  (seems  like it)

             

[Dan_Lockwood]

Since there was no stop sign I didn't come to a complete stop and proceeded into the roadway turning left.

I agree that I've been caught either missing something that's there or just not "seeing" it.

I'm glad you were both okay and moved on a bit more cautious.

I would like to say something about your no stop sign comment.

Whether it be a parking lot, commercial driveway or your own personal driveway, you must stop prior to entering the road. It's one of those "unwritten" laws that do get enforced.  In my younger days in MI I was pulling out of a gas station and "slowed down", but wanted to get out before a line of traffic.  Unfortunately there was as State Trooper in the line of cars that I did NOT see.  I did see the lights on after the fact though.  I got his little yellow slip of paper and learned lesson all at the same time.

So be forewarned that if push came to shove, you could be ticketed for just rolling out onto the road, just like a roll through stop sign.

Again, I'm very happy that you didn't have an incident with the bike.

[T-Hawk]

I've always stated that seasoned motorcyclist make the best automobile drivers... but even the best of us have that one day when everything just doesn't go as it should.  And today, when hardly anyone uses their turn signals, or uses them well in advance of their brakes... or even uses them and follows through with the intentions presented by the use of the signals... I always wait until the drivers are committed into their change of direction before proceeding.  Kept me upright on more than one occasion.

[phato1]

I'm glad it ended the way it did for both of you.  Your post should serve as a reminder for all of us to make a conscious attempt to be aware of our surroundings no mater what type of vehicle we're operating.  Thanks for sharing the lesson

[longlast]

                   This about sums it up for us all!!

[110tHunDer]

 
Good reminder.  Those A-pillars are thicker than ever these days.  Ironically, they're that way to meet (rollover and head impact) safety standards.  And not just on trucks.  I've been very close to having this same thing happen in my 300C, though not so far with a bike involved.  They say that statistically, the thicker A-pillars are safer than the increased visibility skinnier ones would provide.  I'm not sold, particularly when it comes to smaller vehicles, like bikes.

[moscooter]

 
Let me point out that there is another culprit lurking (besides the A pillar) that can and will create a "blind spot" given just the right situation.  For example,  in your car/truck and you depart a fast food restaurant or other parking lot and the street is lower than the lot and curbing and your front end dips down slightly as you stop to scan both directions.

As with the A pillar deal,  the right speed of the bike or another car can easily get (hidden) behind your rear view mirror that is on your windshield..............been there and done that.

[kiro]

Pleased to read your event had a 'happy' ending TinSpinner... Could have gotten nasty quick.