Triumphrat

Chadderbox

So half way through my first season riding and I finally got the rude awaking of cell phone drivers.
On the outskirts of Vancouver, relatively open road, driving at a moderate speed, and I see a guy pulling out of the parking lane and into what should have been the right hand lane (I was in the left hand lane), but instead ended up pulling across both lanes to make a u-turn.
Luckily, erring on the side of caution, when I saw him pulling out the parking lane, I slowed down a bit, luckily for me because even with slowing down, I ended up locking up my back tire, slid around while trying to maneuver, and missed his rear bumper by a couple of inches to avoid what would have been a major t-bone as he blocked the road.

While I was doing what I could to avoid hitting him (skidding\maneuvering\laying on horn) all I see is him chatting away on his cell phone, oblivious to the fact that he pulled right in front of me.
I think that as I passed by his bumper he finally heard my horn, but continued on his merry way.

Needless to say after coming to a stop I turned around and followed him at which point he pulled over (still on phone). I pulled up to him and as soon as his window was half way down proceeded to yell and scream about how he could have killed me, etc etc (with much more colorful language....).
All he could say way "Sorry, somebody called....."! After more yelling he was very apologetic, but either way I was pissed.
Finally left and turned around to head home, fuming at the stupidity of this guy on his phone......

Iceseven

Unreal how people are oblivious to things like safe driving.

I had a lady bump into my car this week at a stop light and when I got out to look she just stayed in her car and looked straight ahead like nothing happened, I pulled into a parking lot after the light to check for damage thinking that she would follow and she blasted off, I followed her and called in her plate so the police were going to pay her a visit.

I have had so many close calls on the bike one exactly like you described.

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2006 Scrambler, Previously had 2004 Bonnie Black, 1995 T-Bird, 1974 Trident, various street and dirt bikes.

ohiorider

Don't know how valid it is, but I read somewhere that the American Medical Association published a statement that drivers using cell phones cause as many accidents as those driving under the influence. Truth or rumor .... don't know. But I've seen some very stupid behavior from drivers using cell phones.

Glad you missed the yakker. Maybe we all need to get T-shirts with a message on the back in huge letters with the message from a few years back that simply stated, " Hang Up and Drive!"

Although it doesn't take the place of watching out for these jokers, a set of dual Fiamm horns gets their attention. Older Beemers came equipped with them. Sounded like a diesel train!

Bob

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2003 T100 (790cc) Lucifer Org and Silv: 122/42 jets, TORs, 17T, UNI filter, no AI, Polaris bellmouth, Metzeler ME880 tires, Progressive 440 shocks (105/150 springs),11-1126 fork springs, gaiters, MotoTwin low bars, 6024 lamp, htd grips, 12v outlet.

vanson1200r

It is now illegal in California to talk on a cell phone while driving unless useing a hands free device but of course I still see people doing it. On a good note in my area on the first day the law went into effect there were over 75 citations written before noon for breaking that law

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vanson1200r:2007 Thruxton Red with white stripe. AI, Emgo's, 125's, Shim's, Polaris Bellmouth, K&N.

u wish u could ride

yo!!! you saved it ,give yourself a smile !!!!! living through what just happen just made you 10 years wiser.cagers just dont give a phuck . its up to you to save your own ass !!!!nice job brother rider.

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used to going very,very fast.now trying to enjoy the ride.

Jimi_X

Since the cell phone became popular, I've had more close calls than at any time in my riding history. I don't usually say anything after the ride, I just try to forget. (During the encounter I am usually pretty vocal creating new and unusual curse combinations, with a few threats thrown in for good measure.) If my wife knew how unsafe it has become to ride a motorcycle, it would give her a reason to nag. The attitude on the street is "It's all about me!", " I always win!", "I'm always first!". Anyone driving in Calgary for their first time is in for a rude awakening, and I do mean RUDE!

Case in point: My Buddie was stopped at a light downtown when the driver next to him on his right, threw a drink cup, a paper tray and what looked like wadded up napkins out his window, hitting my buddies car with the drink cup. He knew the cup didn't do any damage, but he put down his passenger window and told the guy to take his garbage home or pull over and put it in a can. This guy comes unglued,...cursing, screaming with many finger, arm and fist gestures,...the light turns green, the guy floors it, swerving in and out of his lane, proceeds to empty all the debris from his mobile pig sty, which included a glass bottle, out the window of his car.

I usually take the shortest route out of the city as possible.

Chadderbox

Yeah it actually IS illegal in Vancouver to use a cell phone while driving. You can get a ticket......Doesn't stop people at all though....

mikeinva

well in time the fools will kill enough people for the law to treat them as bad as drunk drivers.I think i would rather have drunks on the road then people talking on the phone.

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Why do I feel young on my bike

Rainmaker

Next time, instead of yelling, smile and ask very politely if you can see their drivers license. If they show it to you, cut it in half and hand it back. You will at least cause them the inconvenience of having to replace it.

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University of South Vietnam
School of Unconventional Warfare

Time to call an ambulance when you hear a redneck yell "Hey everybody, watch this"

Chadderbox

Haha. I was actually thinking of doing something similar to his phone but thought better of it.