Motorcycle accidents - Why we're not always seen

[Docster]

I just ride with the high beams on all the time, and sometimes even the fog lights. Never can have too many lights

When I approach a car that may be a concern, I often 'wiggle' the front end so the lights do the same to catch their attention

 

[UtahPete]

Listening to the podcast I was struck by the professors most damning words, "we think." I majored in psychology in my undergraduate studies and my big complaint has always been that psychologists are unable to differentiate between what they know and what they think they know.

They 'know' what has been empirically proven true. They 'think they know' what has been supported anecdotally and not yet disproved.

 

[capt.jim]

Macular Degeneration could be one reason a driver looks right at you but doesn't see you. It affects the central focal vision in the direct line of sight, meaning there may be black hole or greatly reduced vision right in the center of where your looking.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

As the survivor of a head on collision on two wheels in 1993, I can assure you that eye contact with the driver does NOT mean they see you. :yikes: I was VERY lucky, the collision was slow speed, she was stopped and I was slowing down because I suspected she was going to turn in front of me -- not slow enough to evade, however. When I realized she was going to hit me, I launched myself off the bike -- my knees caught the handle bars and flipped me over the windshield. Landed on my back on the hood of the car, with the heal of one boot cracking the windshield; then rolled off the hood to the ground with the bike (custom built BMW K75LT) landing just inches from my head. As I said, I was lucky, I basically walked away from this accident -- the worst of my injuries were some badly bruised knees and a VERY angry sciatic nerve that had been tagged by the back zipper in my jacket (intended to zip pants to the jacket). Had I stayed with the bike, I am confident my legs would have been severely broken and lord knows what other injuries I might have had internally. My gear, and attempting to get away from the bike, saved me. To this day, I will not ride without it -- ATGATT for me!

All she said was, "I'm sorry, I didn't see you." Typical response from someone that has hit a motorcycle.

I did not ride again for nearly 20 years …. then, along came a Spyder

As others have said, ride like you are invisible -- to many drivers, YOU ARE!

All the best …. Ann