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I have to agree with a lot of what I've read in various motorcycling books about intersections being the most dangerous place for a motorcyclist. And you don't even have to be riding through one to experience the danger!
Today I was heading out for some country type roads but had to ride through some suburbs first to get there. I was the second person in line waiting at a four way intersection with lights. The oncoming traffic straight ahead got the green first so they started to go through when all of a sudden a car comes from the left (where the light was red) goes straight through the light and t-bones one of the cars coming through the intersection at about 40-45 MPH...air bags deployed, shattered windows...it was quite a shot.
The impact pushed the t-boned car way off to my right but the red light runner was now rolling towards me going maybe 10-15 MPH at this point. Luckily the driver found the brakes and was able to stop the car. So glad he stomped on the brakes and not the gas by mistake at that point.
I have no idea how this guy missed the light. It's a straight road from the left with good visibility and you can see the light from about 150 feet away. He was either staring at his phone or totally daydreaming (or both). Definitely wasn't drunk because he got out and started talking to some of the people who started to gather.
Anyway, point is, always be alert and in gear when waiting at intersections...not just for cars coming from behind but for things in front of you and to the sides. I was in gear and paying attention but I sort of froze when I saw his car rolling towards me. In hindsight, I stopped about 10 feet behind the car in front of me (like I always do) so I had room to the left or right to goose it and get out of the way but I was like a deer in the headlights for a few seconds and didn't move. Lesson learned, next time (if I'm lucky like I was today) I'm getting on the throttle and getting out of the way!
Today I was heading out for some country type roads but had to ride through some suburbs first to get there. I was the second person in line waiting at a four way intersection with lights. The oncoming traffic straight ahead got the green first so they started to go through when all of a sudden a car comes from the left (where the light was red) goes straight through the light and t-bones one of the cars coming through the intersection at about 40-45 MPH...air bags deployed, shattered windows...it was quite a shot.
The impact pushed the t-boned car way off to my right but the red light runner was now rolling towards me going maybe 10-15 MPH at this point. Luckily the driver found the brakes and was able to stop the car. So glad he stomped on the brakes and not the gas by mistake at that point.
I have no idea how this guy missed the light. It's a straight road from the left with good visibility and you can see the light from about 150 feet away. He was either staring at his phone or totally daydreaming (or both). Definitely wasn't drunk because he got out and started talking to some of the people who started to gather.
Anyway, point is, always be alert and in gear when waiting at intersections...not just for cars coming from behind but for things in front of you and to the sides. I was in gear and paying attention but I sort of froze when I saw his car rolling towards me. In hindsight, I stopped about 10 feet behind the car in front of me (like I always do) so I had room to the left or right to goose it and get out of the way but I was like a deer in the headlights for a few seconds and didn't move. Lesson learned, next time (if I'm lucky like I was today) I'm getting on the throttle and getting out of the way!