RJGold wrote:
I also ride a motorcycle and have found over the years that requires more defensive driving techniques than when I am in my pickup, along with the understanding that I would never win in a vehicle to vehicle confrontation. I have also seen folks blatantly take advantage of me on my motorcycle (i.e. look at me, make eye contact, pull in front of me anyway because they know I will stop or move).
I've been riding since 1968 and you definitely have to stay extra alert and anticipate drivers actions. However, in many instances, those situations where they pull out in front of you are not intentional. The brain is a funny thing, and many drivers, sitting at a stop sign or intersection, will look right at a motorcycle approaching and not "see it", because their brain is looking to see if a car or truck is coming and the bike just doesn't register. I've had to run off the highway to dodge one 3 times because of that...and in all 3 cases, I saw them looking right at me just before they pulled out in front of me. It was in the small rural area where I live, and I knew the drivers. They were all horrified at what they'd done, but swore up and down they "didn't see me" and I knew they were telling the truth. After that first incident I learned to watch their face as I approach...If they turn away and look straight ahead, watch out, because that indicates they think the road is clear and they are probably about to pull out. All three of those "pull outs" happened back in the 70's and 80's and I think it was more common then because there were not near as many bikes on the road...it seems like today, people are much more aware due to the vastly increased number of riders on the road.
