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AIBU?

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Original poster

to actually feel sorry for the driver of the car? WARNING- upsetting video.

496 replies

ToThePark · 04/09/2014 21:55

Ok, so I've been a wimp and name changed in case I get totally flamed.

www.suffolk.police.uk/newsandevents/newsstories/2014/september/hardhittingvideolaunched.aspx

The motorcyclist was travelling at 100mph past a busy junction. I watched this video and thought, as a car driver, this could easily happen to me. What an horrific thing to have on your conscience.

What if it had been a child crossing?

OP posts:
Wadingthroughsoup · 04/09/2014 23:12

Very, very sad.

To those saying that the accident still would have happened had the motorcyclist been going slower... I think it's hard to say.

For one thing, had he been going slower, he'd have had a better chance at taking evasive action by braking or changing course. In addition, the car driver would have had a longer period of time in which to see the motorbike, so he, too, would have had a chance at taking a different course of action.

Chances are, there would still have been an accident, but it may not have been as serious as it was.

recall · 04/09/2014 23:17

I'm not surprised the car driver didn't see the motorcyclist. He was coming towards him at 97mph, it was a dull day, and the bike is black and red and it looks like the motorcyclists is wearing mostly black clothing.

5madthings · 04/09/2014 23:20

Knowing the road I can say that yes the accident would still have happened even if the motorcyclist had been doing 60. And the driver not only didn't see the motorbike but he didn't see the car behind him.

Honestly that turn out is lethal, there are flowers there nearly all the time, there have been so many accidents there. :(

EugenesAxe · 04/09/2014 23:20

Not a motorway; A-road. A typical T-junction that he ran up to at 97mph, despite the potential for someone to be turning off the road across his path or onto the road at a much slower speed.

Very true that adrenaline makes you feel invincible, and precisely the reason why A-roads are this country's most dangerous. I feel terrible for all involved.

mollypup · 04/09/2014 23:20

Those who are saying it is the drivers fault...seriously?! If it had been a split second later the car would have been turning and the motorbike would have probably gone straight over the side of the car. The timing of the accident shows the car just about to movie into the road having had approximately 0.01 seconds to realise what the hell was going on. The motorcyclist took the risk by driving at that speed, it is hardly fair to blame the driver who has become a helpless subject to those conditions as a direct result of the motorcyclists actions.

ReadyToBreak · 04/09/2014 23:21

I believe both were at fault.

The driver for not checking properly and taking a risk and the motorcyclist for going way too fast.

However, I will say, even at lower speeds 40mph-60mph a biker is unlikely to be able to take safe evasive action in this situation.

I am a biker of nearly 10 years now and braking on a bike is a whole different kettle of fish to braking in a car.

Either way the motorcyclist would have been injured in this situation even doing 40mph.

And yes, even as a biker I cringe at the stupidity of some fellow bikers. The majority of us are law abiding motorists!!!

And we all "think car" if we didn't we'd be knocked off our bikes every bleeding outing!!!!

mollypup · 04/09/2014 23:21

*move

muffinino82 · 04/09/2014 23:22

To play devil's advocate, would people defend a car driver in the same position as the bike rider doing the same speed and overtaking?

MaidOfStars · 04/09/2014 23:25

Yes. It is the driver's fault. You and only you are responsible for turning across the flow of traffic in a safe manner.

5madthings · 04/09/2014 23:28

The driver hadn't seen the car either, he hadn't looked properly. That turn is notorious and anyone local avoids it. The collision would have happened even if he was going slower and even at 60 would probably have resulted in death if not serious injury.

Honestly if you knew the road you would know that.

recall · 04/09/2014 23:29

Also, the motorcyclist is overtaking at the approach of a staggered cross junction.

Agree with ToThePark, under those circumstances, this could have easily happened to me too .

EugenesAxe · 04/09/2014 23:30

Bloody hell... about 30 posts in the time I responded to the description of the video. Massive cross post with LRD.

KneeQuestion · 04/09/2014 23:30

Those who are saying it is the drivers fault...seriously?!

Er, yes and the court agreed hence his driving ban, points and fines.

The motorcyclist can't be done for speeding because he is dead.

Some of the attitudes here are very telling.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/09/2014 23:31

You obviously described it much more clearly than me!

EstellaSpitsEmOut · 04/09/2014 23:32

ReadyToBreak not all motorcyclists 'think car'. They can't possibly, otherwise they wouldn't be so reckless.

I feel car drivers are always held responsible and campaigns are targeted solely at them. But motorcyclists, as well as all road users, must take responsibility too and drive according to Highway Code.

KneeQuestion · 04/09/2014 23:35

I feel car drivers are always held responsible and campaigns are targeted solely at them

Why do you think that might be?

There is a massive number of accidents that are caused by car drivers just not looking for motorcyclists, thats why campaigns such as 'think bike' are needed.

EstellaSpitsEmOut · 04/09/2014 23:38

Yes I agree KneeQuestion, but I also feel bikers need more awareness over their actions. It should be awareness on both sides.

muffinino82 · 04/09/2014 23:39

There is a massive number of accidents that are caused by car drivers just not looking for motorcyclists, thats why campaigns such as 'think bike' are needed.

What, because some motorcyclists undertake illegal, dangerously reckless manoeuvres such as the one in the video? I'm very sorry the man in the video died and I think the driver should have paid more attention but the biker should not have been overtaking at the speeds he did where he did - I would say the same had it been a car driver

mollypup · 04/09/2014 23:41

but you do see a lot of motorcyclists dangerously weaving in an out of traffic on a-roads, motorways etc at very high speeds. Its difficult enough to watch for potential hazards around you anyway without the added risk of motorcyclists behaving stupidly.

muffinino82 · 04/09/2014 23:43

That's not to say that some car drivers aren't in the wrong, of course they are, but some bikers are, too, both motor and push bikes. And horse riders (of which I am one). Sadly, some people are complete idiots no matter what they drive and think they're titanium Sad

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/09/2014 23:47

I think the issue is that, obviously, the road is wide and straight with good visibility, and the driver himself said he'd not seen the bike or the other car. I reckon the judge made a harsh decision partly because that driver has been up front about feeling he got it wrong.

CurlyWurlyCake · 04/09/2014 23:47

Very recently a local young lad died in our area.

The car driver was stuck in traffic and threw a u turn without thinking about the biker whizing up the outside lane. The biker died instantly on scene and the driver is now awaiting sentence.

We all need to be more aware of every thing.

TiffanyToothache · 04/09/2014 23:47

My heart goes out to his mother and family, and the driver of the car and his family too.

I have a genuine question for those who know the junction: why is it such a notoriously difficult one? I had a look on google street view and it seems a long straight view from either direction and a straightforward right filter lane / turn.

Thanks.

KneeQuestion · 04/09/2014 23:48

What, because some motorcyclists undertake illegal, dangerously reckless manoeuvres such as the one in the video?

No.

Because some car drivers just don't bother or think to look out for bikes before manoeuvering.

5madthings · 04/09/2014 23:50

It's not good visibility because of the hill and camber of the road, but you need to drive it to realise that. But the driver has admitted fault. He didn't look and like many on that road do he took a chance. Honestly dp sees drivers do the same on that turn everyday :(

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