hmmm, another interesting observation

[Gisser]

Riding improves one's driving--considerably.  

I reached that conclusion after hitching a ride home from the aforementioned rainy Bay Area (Los Altos) last week with a younger brother, his kid, and the kid's mother.  

Things were fine for the first 8-hours until we left the Interstate for the 4-hour two-lane highway leg.  Brother wanted to maintain his 80 mph pace which brought out my inner backseat driver.  It was pitch black, it was pouring rain, and I advised him to back off as we headed into the mountains--which he did, momentarily, before casually resuming his previous pace. :x

We soon began passing yellow road signs bearing the silhoutte of an antlered animal and I reminded the fool of the recent collision one of our relatives had with such an animal in which she totaled her cage (as in smashed beyond recognition) while miraculously (it was agreed) avoided serious injury to herself.  This story had no effect whatsoever on the needle position on our speedometer. :x

Under such miserable conditions, visibility with our headlights was about 150 ft, which I pointed out to our stubborn driver, along with the opinion that the cage's stopping distance might be 150 ft at 60 mph with an experienced test driver, with fresh reflexes, on dry pavement.  In other words, he was over-driving his line of sight and, consequently, his ability to avoid a potential road hazard.  Of course, I was advised to shut up.

Soon, we zoomed past a herd of those antlered animals standing at roadside which startled driver and passengers alike  but we continued on between 65-and-75 mph on a 55 mph highway.  I mentioned that 55 was actually intended as the upper limit during good conditions which was not the present situation.  :x    

Rain turned to snow.

Up ahead a ubiquitous tractor-trailer was approaching on a downhill (for him) grade and was simply hauling ass.  We passed on the outside of a curve.   How stupid was that?  Plus, the speed we were traveling left no room for evasive action should the need have arisen.  Basically, my ignorant younger brother put our collective fate in the hands of a reckless trucker that obviously had no concern for anyone else's life let alone his own. :x  :x  :x

At this point, I forcefully informed my brother that, since he was not respecting the safety of his passengers, if he didn't slow down I would rip him out of the fookin' driver's seat and I would personally take us safely the rest of the way homeward.  He protested that he'd already slowed to 60 mph (in a 55 mph zone).  I told him that 60 was not a magical number and that if the conditions warranted a slower speed then for the sake of safety he'd better slow the fook down.   After all, it was past midnight, we were driving through a snowstorm, over a winding mountain highway, with a fatigued driver, and had hours to go.    :x  This wasn't no macho man endurance contest, I bitched loudly.  

I tell you, no respect--no respect, and a few miles later the '04 Altima goes WHUMP!!! as we launched over an obstacle in the road--a block of ice, it turned out.   Scared the shaZam! out of everybody.  The kid's mother suggested that maybe it was time to change drivers but brother had possession of the keys which instilled in him some sort of power trip.  

Not long after emerging from the mountains, a local cop lights up his christmas tree as we were doing 10 over his towns posted limit.   -end story.

Maybe I came off as a wuss, but I've spent alot of time on a motorcycle riding close to my limit and I KNOW when I'm pushing my luck.  I don't know if it's the performance aspect of riding or the greater likelihood that mistakes can be fatal that makes the difference, but I have learned:

to expect the unexpected

about riding (and driving) within the vanishing point http://home.comcast.net/%7Ealan.s.moore/vp/vanish.htm  

about traction

about anticipating potentially difficult sections of road

about not taking the competency of the drivers with whom I share the road for granted

about my own limitations with respect to skills and accident avoidance and of the knowledge that advanced training is available to riders and drivers alike.  

I've learned there's a time for speed and a time to be aware when you're placing yourself at risk.  
         
My brother (if he hasn't disowned me) was pushing all of our luck and he didn't even seem to know it.  Worse, I think he's a typical driver.  

[snowey]

Riding has made me a more aware driver in the sense that I instinctively notice left turning vehicles and people pulling out of parking spots and the such.  
However, I have also started to feel bullet proof in the car.  Its  a pretty bad feeling to have.   I can't escape the feeling that even if I get hit I have a huge cage around me which makes me unlikely to get hurt.  Hence, I have been driving faster and more "confidently" (though not healthily so).  

Does anyone else share my situation?

[calamari]

there's no fun in pushing a pedal up and down, and turning a wheel. those are all the 'skills' you need to drive a car.




now, driving safely is another thing from outer space.

[Phaedrus]

there's no fun in pushing a pedal up and down, and turning a wheel. those are all the 'skills' you need to drive a car.

now, driving safely is another thing from outer space.

Haha, nahh. It takes a little more coordination than that, especially when driving a car with a manual transmission. Automatics..yeah, pretty much just goose the pedal and hang on tight but you still need to know how to handle it in snowy / rainy conditions, tight corners, etc.  

[calamari]

Haha, nahh. It takes a little more coordination than that, especially when driving a car with a manual transmission. Automatics..yeah, pretty much just goose the pedal and hang on tight but you still need to know how to handle it in snowy / rainy conditions, tight corners, etc.  

i know, but does the average driver knows?

average driver = the ones I have to dodge everyday.

[cobalt135]

I generally don't like being a passenger.  I never like being a passenger when it is raining or there is snow down.  If my little bro did that I may have had to beat him up :lol:

[GeeP]

You're not alone, not by far.  I choose who I ride with very carefully.  Most have no clue what the consequences of their actions are.  Most eventually find out the hard way.

I see young people on the the side of the road every winter when I'm out clearing the roads.  It's pretty easy to tell who was driving the car.  Old ladies generally just slide off the shoulder.  Young male drivers generally have a 5-minute trudge back to the road.  Sometimes I have to help the EMT's make the 5-minute trudge with the kid on a stretcher.

If you're ever in that situation again, get out of the car at the next town and call a ride.  I've done it before.  Not only does it keep you safe, but it sends a clear message to your friend.

[gsmetal]

Sounds like you should have PUNCHED that stupid F*$# in the nose for almost killing you and everyone else in the car.

That's the LEAST he deserves.

[Gisser]

However, I have also started to feel bullet proof in the car.  Its  a pretty bad feeling to have.   I can't escape the feeling that even if I get hit I have a huge cage around me which makes me unlikely to get hurt.  Hence, I have been driving faster and more "confidently" (though not healthily so).  

Does anyone else share my situation?

http://www.hwysafety.org/research/fatality_facts/general.html

I would venture to say that quite a few of the 40,000 souls lost on American roads every year shared your feeling of invincibility.  

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans 2-34 years old.  

It's true that with shoulder belts and airbags a person can survive some fairly horrific crashes, but being broadsided by an out of control tractor-trailer wouldn't be a likely example.  

On a motorcycle, you don't put yourself into dangerous situations in the first place or else you'll be having a lesson in Darwinism before you know it.

[scratch]

I have felt that way (safer) in a car, but I also know that I'm more aware of my surroundings because of riding.

People who have ridden motorcycles are less likely to be in an accident with a motorcycle, while driving, than people who haven't. Which also, goes to say that motorcyclists tend to be safer drivers.