100% agree. The only difference now is people have more distractions with cell phones and TV screens.

I've always kept the mentality that nobody see's me period! I dont give a damn if they are looking me dead in the eye, they dont see me.

 

I had a drunk try to pull a u turn from a right hand parking lane back in the early 70's. Unfortunately for me there was traffic coming from the other direction in the 2 oncoming lanes. He stopped across both of the lanes on my side of the street and I hit him broadside at 45mph. I have not walked without a limp since that night. I was lucky i wasn't killed. I have no patience for drunks or idiots.

 

The thing to do is to assume everyone you pass who is in the right lane is going to change lanes into you...pull a 'U'...do something to take them into your lane. I try to ride so I'm in their mirror. As I get closer, I watch their head/hands, for signs they're planning to turn, also the left front tire. I tuck in close to the center-line as I overtake them (to stay in the mirror) then as I overtake the rear of their vehicle (and just about out of their rear-view mirrors), I swing out wide to the left to make more room (which is space and time) between me and them, just in case. I spend as little time right next to them as possible. I do the same process for each car I pass. It's like jumping from lilly-pad to lilly-pad, with the clear spaces between cars the 'pads'. It's a lot of work.

I remember one time in particular, I let my guard down. Guy started to pull into me. I couldn't do anything but rev the engine. I saw him startle--but he pulled back into his lane. My pipes aren't all that loud. But I guess they're loud enough...

Alan

 

You sure have a negative comment for every thread. I try to ride with as much situational awareness as possible. But if you think you are never vulnerable to a bad decision by a cager, you are not paying attention.

 

There is some truth to this statement.

 

Sorry about your Dad. Mine passed away on September 12th.

 

Why? Why would you ever need to make a U turn from the right lane? What am I missing here?

 

@edilgdaor, norgepa, KBFXDLI,

Thanks for the condolences guys...