Lane Change

[jefj@lightspd.wa.com (Jef Johnstone)]

Hey folks,
 I'm pretty sure everyone one on this list is some what of a responsible
driver. Being a motor cycle owner/rider (90'FZR1000) I all to often encounter
getting caught in peoples blind spots, I always try to stay in their line of
sight but this isn't always possible. More often than not it's some idiot in a
Ford Tempo  or those damn Mini Vans (these are the worst!!) that cuts me off.
I've had to lay it down once because because the driver of the older
Monte'Carlo "didn't see me". I escaped with a broken finger and toe and about
$3200 damage to the bike, all of it cosmetic. I was lucky. 
  I've found that people either "Drive" a car (Being aware of what the
automobile is doing in reaction to the drivers input and their suroundings, and
do a lane/head check) or, people that simply "Aim" the car, hoping it somehow
(usually by luck...) gets them to their desired destination. I *always* do a
head check, I also have a wide angle mirror I picked up while in Japan that
works great. (Properly adjusted, I don't even have to look at my big head..:).
It gives a full field of view behind and to the side and also cuts down on
head light glare. These should be standard issue on all Mini Vans (I really
don't like them things...).
 I think the main problem is that it is all to easy to get a "Drivers Lic." in
the united states. Japan requires an extensive (and expensive, about $2K US!)
Driver "education" course. Also, all of the cars on the road are usually no
less than 5 years old and in excellent mechanical shape (No duct tape holding
blinkers or head lights in..) Other countries have very strict guidlines about
how safe your car is (brakes, light etc.). Ever notice the sh*t they alow on
the roads in this country? If you can fog up a piece of glass, you can get a
"drvers" lic.
Just my .03 on the subject!

Cheers,
JefJ
jefj@lightspd.wa.com
90 90CQ 39K
90 FZR1000 10K (Vance N' Hines, new plastic and good as new...:)

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