Joy of Motorcycling Traffic School: A New Choice for Motorists Who Get a Ticket
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
Wow! What a great Idea this would beat the crap out of the 8 hr class I took for getting a speeding ticket for going 7 over in which we watched A Movie called something like "Bloody Highway" I could be wrong I suffer from a disease that makes me forget but I forgot what it was called.
Wow Kalifornia has 10% of the nation's motorcycle fatalities. Of course we also have 10% of the nation's population, and more than likely more than 10% of the nation's motorcycles. Given the fact that 1/3 of the fatalities were unlicensed for motorcycles, I guess that pretty much blows the lane spliting danger arguments of the rest of states in the UassA. It would be refreshing to attend a motorcycle oriented "traffic school" instead of the typical brain washing the rest of the state mandated schools put one through, however. VWW
Joined
·
1,072 Posts
Great idea. I wish they had something like this in WA state. I have had two tickets on my bike speeding and passing on yellow. Would of been nice to attend something like this rather than pay a fine and points.
Joined
·
1,072 Posts
Was that law sponsored by ABATE? My wife worked on a campaign for a state legislator who said that ABATE has a bad rep ( fanatical about repealing the helmet law) wiith WA lawmakers and the WSP. To be honest I don't see how lane splitting gives a great advantage to the Seattle area bike commuter. Given the presence of HOV lanes on I-5, 405, 167, 520, and I-90 I just don't see why it's needed. When I commuted to work I always zipped along in the HOV lane.
I doubt that lane splitting is the problem in California. BTW, we have more than 10% of the population, and we have surely more than 10% of the motorcycles, PLUS, we use them year round. I mean, in Minnesota an average motorcycle gets about 1/5 of the use of a typical California bike. I bet if we did an average of accidents per miles traveled we would do OK. Lane splitting is only a real problem when you insist on lane splittng at 65 mph when the traffic is going 5 mph. If you are careful, it's OK. Most accidents are still of the car turning left in front of you variety (saw one yesterday, unfortunately). If other states do not want lane splitting is just because of an irrational fear, not because of solid data.
Joined
·
1,072 Posts
Great points. As someone who has never lane splitted and who lives in a non-lane splitting state I have a few questions for you Califorinians. Is lane splitting only permitted on freeways? i.e. do you have lane splitting on surface streets, avenues, etc.
If it is only on the freeways then for Seattle bikers there would be no great advantage IMHO. However, it could come in handy on streets like HWY 99 which is 4 lane avenue with lots of lights and bumper to bumper traffic on occasion. I agree it is probably an irrational fear we have about it...
If it is only on the freeways then for Seattle bikers there would be no great advantage IMHO. However, it could come in handy on streets like HWY 99 which is 4 lane avenue with lots of lights and bumper to bumper traffic on occasion. I agree it is probably an irrational fear we have about it...
Texas has a lane splitting law being tossed about in the legislature. Done properly I think it would be a great idea, but I doubt it will ever become law. I wish drivers ed classes taught more about vehicle/energy dynamics as to what happens in a crash instead of boring their attendees with crap filler and war stories about tickets.
Re: lane splitting
We can lane split anywhere...I routinely go to the crosswalk at every stop light. I really is not dangerous if you you go just a little faster than the traffic and expect someone to pull out in front of you...I have had it happen a few times and was able to stop without a problem. Of course you need to learn how to "read" what the moronic cagers on cell phones are going to do. I find lane splitting to be a safe and convenient practice on surface streets as well as the freeway. The local CHP says as long as you are generally riding in a controlled manner no more than 15mph faster than the traffic you are passing then you are perfectly legal. I did have one occasion when a CHP motor cop pulled up behind me after I had split lanes pased about 20 cars at a broken stoplight. I thought "here we go" and pulled into the lane ready to pull over for an ass chewing and a ticket but he was just trying to get to the intersection to direct traffic. I have had people watch in the mirror and try to squeeze over so there is no room in the lane for you, but I just wait for the oppportunity and squirt pass them on the other side. I find most people will let you in and give you room while lane splitting.
We can lane split anywhere...I routinely go to the crosswalk at every stop light. I really is not dangerous if you you go just a little faster than the traffic and expect someone to pull out in front of you...I have had it happen a few times and was able to stop without a problem. Of course you need to learn how to "read" what the moronic cagers on cell phones are going to do. I find lane splitting to be a safe and convenient practice on surface streets as well as the freeway. The local CHP says as long as you are generally riding in a controlled manner no more than 15mph faster than the traffic you are passing then you are perfectly legal. I did have one occasion when a CHP motor cop pulled up behind me after I had split lanes pased about 20 cars at a broken stoplight. I thought "here we go" and pulled into the lane ready to pull over for an ass chewing and a ticket but he was just trying to get to the intersection to direct traffic. I have had people watch in the mirror and try to squeeze over so there is no room in the lane for you, but I just wait for the oppportunity and squirt pass them on the other side. I find most people will let you in and give you room while lane splitting.
Joined
·
10,900 Posts
Re: lane splitting
Not to mention if you head down to Puerto Nuevo in Mexico for some Baja style lobster (grilled tail with rice, beans and tortillas), you can eliminate about 2 hours of border traffic.
You just have to watch out for the peddlers selling sarapes and chicklets while you're splitting.
Not to mention if you head down to Puerto Nuevo in Mexico for some Baja style lobster (grilled tail with rice, beans and tortillas), you can eliminate about 2 hours of border traffic.
You just have to watch out for the peddlers selling sarapes and chicklets while you're splitting.
I think the biggest benefit of lane splitting is reducing the chance of getting rear ended. Even at a stoplight where there is a couple of cars, I still nestle up between them for safety. Damn cagers and their electronic stuff. I rear ended someone last year in my car reading my Blackberry. (Got to admit it).
Joined
·
729 Posts
Would this be the same NPR that ran Max Cleland's very touching Veteran's History Project recollection of coming to grips with war in it's aftermath on Memorial day????
Are you a member of the Utah Sport Bike Association? I am speaking at their meeting Thursday evening. You should come on down and we can shoot rubber bands at each other or sumthin.
-martin
Are you a member of the Utah Sport Bike Association? I am speaking at their meeting Thursday evening. You should come on down and we can shoot rubber bands at each other or sumthin.
-martin
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
