Thursday 15 May 2008

What is more important than life?

When driving on the free way why do motorbikes drive between cars? Why can’t they use the far right small lane which is normally unused and it is not an emergency lane either? Is it illegal to do so? I have seen so many motorbikes involved in accidents as a result of driving between the cars. I am always aware of them on the road especially when they have their head lights on bright it makes it easier other motorist to monitor them on their rear view mirrors.

Earlier this morning just before 06h00, a black Volvo was joining the onramp at high speed right in front me. I was driving on the middle lane at about 70km per. That car came straight from the on ramp to the lane on my left going past in front of me on the middle lane and straight across to the right lane. On joining the right lane not to mention that it did not even indicate the intentions to change lanes a motorcycle had just passed me, and two seconds later what I saw was horrific.

The Black Volvo bumped the motor bike. The impact didn’t seem to be that much until what followed, the bike flew to the air like a piece of wood sending the biker soaring to a big lamp post and back to the far right small lane . On the ground he did not make any movement and I assumed he was dead. I immediately I stopped the car and ran to what looked like a lifeless body. By the time I reached him more people have stopped their cars and ran to help. To my relief he was still alive, he could still move his body including his feet.

There was a young lady whom when we all panicked and didn't know what to do was very calm. She took charge of the situation like and accident professional if there is any thing like that. I was very impressed she called metro police who took ages to come. Seeing that so many people were helping and they were coping I decided to leave as early as I could.

I have seen the Think bike guys pleading with the motorists on freeway bridges, on TV and on the radio, but by the look of things no one is listening. Lets respect them as we respect other motorists. I don’t want to imagine how many people were inconvenienced by just what happened this morning. One accident can cost one up to an hour on the road. Lets think bike.

4 comments:

Ridwan said...

Hello Muzi. I trust you are well brother.

Just last weekend I was watching bikers split lanes without much care in the world.

It is very dangerous like you say but unfortunately lane splitting is legal in South Africa.

So bikers can put their motorcycle in-between cars for the purpose of getting past them.

I am not sure if bikers can ride next to each other in a single lane. If I remember right they can't.

In the US (most states) a biker cannot ride past a car in the same lane.

They can however ride next to each other in the same lane (most states).

Most states also require a helmet but there is no restriction on what kind of bike can be driven.

In Japan there are restrictions that monitor who can ride what kind of bike.

I was in Klerksdorp when a young man on a Suzuki 1000cc bike flew past in the left lane doing what must have been close to 200kmph.

You can only imagine what would happen if he had an accident at that rate of speed.

Apart from cars and careless drivers, the road conditions make riding a bike in SAfrica a really dangerous affair.

Peace broer,
Ridwan

Beenz said...

Wouldn't it be great if, on the whole, we could just be more considerate of each other?

Muzi said...

Hey Ridwan are you still in the country? nice to hear from you... I am not a motorbike fan and I must admit I didn't do any research before writing this I was very disturbed by what I had just seen. Your immense knowledge have prompted me to do some reading on motor bikes. As Beenze said all we need is a simple decency and be considerate. Is that too much South Africa? I hope not
keep well

Ridwan said...

Hello Muzi:

I am indeed still in the country.

I am, as I think you may know, an avid fan of all things motorbikes.

I am, however, scared of riding in SA. So I keep it to a minimum.

Beenz is absolutely right. We would be so much better if we were more considerate.

Peace to both of you.

Ridwan