F
From MARS
Guest
Most of my riding is done riding alone on two-lane highways. Over the years, I've become a very defensive rider.
On an empty road, I ride the inside track of my lane. This position gives me the best view of what's ahead and keeps me as far from the potential danger of critters running onto the road as is possible. But when faced with an approaching vehicle, I purposely drift over to the right track since the potential danger from an oncoming vehicle outweighs that of the suicidal critter, then I return to the center when the threat has passed.
The extent of the danger from an oncoming vehicle was brought home recently by the death of a motorcyclist that was struck by a piece of pipe which had shifted on a trailer as they met. As I heard the story, the biker was hugging the centerline; so the pickup driver moved over to give him more room. The considerate move resulted in a piece of irrigation pipe, which was not secured properly, striking a culvert marker and spinning on the trailer to protrude across the centerline by several feet. It hit the rider in the chest.
Yesturday, I decided to closely monitor what effect my actions had on oncoming drivers. I found that 9 out of 10 drivers responded by also moving to the right as we approached each other resulting in a greater safety margin between our respective vehicles. Their reactions also gave me comfort as an indication that I was seen.
So, the next time you're out riding the two-lane roads, do your own experiment and see how the drivers in your area react.
Tom
On an empty road, I ride the inside track of my lane. This position gives me the best view of what's ahead and keeps me as far from the potential danger of critters running onto the road as is possible. But when faced with an approaching vehicle, I purposely drift over to the right track since the potential danger from an oncoming vehicle outweighs that of the suicidal critter, then I return to the center when the threat has passed.
The extent of the danger from an oncoming vehicle was brought home recently by the death of a motorcyclist that was struck by a piece of pipe which had shifted on a trailer as they met. As I heard the story, the biker was hugging the centerline; so the pickup driver moved over to give him more room. The considerate move resulted in a piece of irrigation pipe, which was not secured properly, striking a culvert marker and spinning on the trailer to protrude across the centerline by several feet. It hit the rider in the chest.
Yesturday, I decided to closely monitor what effect my actions had on oncoming drivers. I found that 9 out of 10 drivers responded by also moving to the right as we approached each other resulting in a greater safety margin between our respective vehicles. Their reactions also gave me comfort as an indication that I was seen.
So, the next time you're out riding the two-lane roads, do your own experiment and see how the drivers in your area react.
Tom