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By Steve Alexander Reporter

M60o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Motorcycle Fatalities Raise Safety Questions

Published: Mon, March 31, 2008 - 8:05 pm

Steve Alexander

The fatality accidents in Mobile County involving motorcycles are raising questions about what type of training cyclists may need.
For instance, in Alabama, you don't need to take a driving test or agility test to get a motorcycle license.
Ray Fleet is a retired Mobile Police motorcycle officer and an instructor at Gulf Coast Motorcycle Safety in Daphne.
He says all it takes in Alabama to get a motorcycle license is taking "a twenty-five question test from the Department of Motor Vehicles."
What's more, if you got your Alabama driver's license before 1990 and have kept it since that time, you don't even have to take the test.
Fleet says, "Some people are grand-fathered in. They have an endorsement on their license which means they know how to ride a motorcycle regardless of whether they do or not."
Fleet says most motorcycle accidents involving cars happen at intersections.
He says, "Motorists don't see motorcycles, first off. They don't perceive a motorcycle being there."
Fleet also reminds motorcyclists to wear the proper safety equipment and check out their bikes for worn tires and other problems before riding.
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I’m an extreemly new rider, having only rode my bike in the “real world” twice so far. During the MSF course one of the coaches, Gene Weir, told us one day out riding he noticed a motorcyclist wearing a yellow helmet long before he would have noticed another color. From that point on he has always worn a yellow helmet. I’ve taken his advice and wear a bright yellow jacket at all times. In my opinion this color is more noticeable than any other. Yes, motorists should be more alert and watchful but they often aren’t as seen from this report. To help avoid it happening to me and mine I want to do my part to make myself more visable. Wear bright colors and watch your lane position while riding. There are things we can do to make ourselves safer. Maybe WKRG could/should do a story about “Motorcycle Awareness” for the “cage” drivers. When you’re riding “expect something to happen.” Be safe all!

Posted by Scrollergirl on 04/02/08 - 8:19 am • Report Abuse

One more thing.

There’s a lever on the left side of all vehicle steering column called a TURN SIGNAL, Please try to use them is though a life depends on it. Knowing every drivers intention is a huge help to all motorists.
Thanks for the signal and be Blessed!

Posted by MeAmerican on 04/01/08 - 8:51 pm • Report Abuse

I hope this tragic story, that took the life of my friend Jim Crane, doesnt turn into the typical “blame it on the biker” story. I’ve known Big Jim for many years and I can say the world was a better place with him in it. My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of riding with Jim, pretty much every weekend, for the past several months. I can say with the utmost confidence that Jim WAS NOT in the wrong March 30. Jim lead us on many trips. It was always 6-10 bikes. Who’s gonna lead us now?
Jim will be missed not only by us that rode with him, but I’m sure by his co workers at Coca-Cola, by the customers who’s accounts he serviced, by his many friends in west mobile and most of all, his family! Ya see, he was a real person, with a lot going for him, not just a biker who was obviously doing something wrong.
People need to PAY ATTENTION to bikers! If that 82 y/o had looked before turning out in front of my friend, he would be here to RIDE ON!
Rest In Peace Jim Crane!
EVERYONE misses u

Posted by kerr1218 on 04/01/08 - 5:03 pm • Report Abuse

“Look for other vehicles because they can’t see you”? More often than not, that’s simply not true. Although it is possible for motorcyclists to find themselves in blind spots easier than a larger vehicle, for the most part drivers of other vehicles can see motorcycles just fine—if they look! Motorcyclists may not be as easy to see as a bus, but we’re not invisible. Many automobile drivers also pull into the path of other automobiles, trucks, etc. Can they not see them either? Of course they can, if they look. They just need to pay attention to their driving.

Defensive motorcycle rider training is great, and I recommend it, but automobile drivers also need to be made aware that we are there.

Posted by rocknrider on 04/01/08 - 4:45 pm • Report Abuse

About this motorcycle safety thing...I did’nt know there was a safety course to tell you how to avoid being slammed by a person in a vehicle. If there is please send it to me so my husband can read it.
This is not about the motorcyclists being safe… These accidents where the result of people not paying attention to what or who was around them. Wake up people! You know us motorcyclists come out of hibernation in the
Spring and stay til the fall!

Posted by tellitlikeitis on 04/01/08 - 4:19 pm • Report Abuse

I felt that the story made it feel like the motorcyclist are at fault, not the people driving cars, not paying a bit of attention. I love riding, I will do it as long as the Lord will let me. I drive as defensively as I can, but phones, new (and old) drivers, and distracted people make it tough for us. Once again, PAY ATTENTION ON THE ROAD!! Thank you.

Posted by mycomment on 04/01/08 - 2:32 pm • Report Abuse

I just want to say that I think ALL motorists NEED to ride a bike to be able to get their AUTOMOBILE license that way they would know how it feels to be NOT SEEN by a car while on a be bike! They need to do what NY has, NO CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING unless you have a ear peice.
PEOPLE WAKE UP the person on that bike just may be YOUR son, daughter, mother, father or your CLOSEST friend.
And justremeber that those bikers pay taxes too they have a right to be out there enjoying the road as much as the automobile drivers do!

Posted by SarahSarah on 04/01/08 - 2:26 pm • Report Abuse

From my understanding none of the three drivers that caused these accidents even received a ticket. Nothing.
The elderly woman that killed Jim Crane on Sunday probably should not even be allowed on the road. 82 years..... Come on someone in Montgomery needs to take notice of issues like this and come up with some sort of formal testing for elderly drives. It’s a proven fact that with age comes diminished skills ie..sight, reflexes, depth perseption etc.
The people who caused these accidents need to be held accountable for their serious lack of judgement.
The above story seems to put safety in our court as bike riders, but no amount of safety training can save you from a misguided 3500lb car

Posted by gypsyblood on 04/01/08 - 12:14 pm • Report Abuse

I agree with all the bikers. Sure there are some ignorant motorcyclist out there, but most are good, safe drivers just wanting to cruise the roads and enjoy a pretty day.

Its the morons in the cars that don’t know how to drive. Its a real shame too, because Id love to take my cycle out and drive it to work during the week to save gas but my family and friends dont want me too, fearing for my life.

Most people think the road is for cars and cars only.

Posted by RufusHannah on 04/01/08 - 8:39 am • Report Abuse

Jim Crane was a close friend. I rode many miles with Jim leading the way. Jim was an experienced, safe rider.
Jim attended a motorcycle riding safety course. His training did not save his life. A car driver didn’t allow enough distance before crossing his path.
The high cost of gas is creating new riders. ALL MC riders should be required to ride for a license. I’m a 53 yo female from Florida, rode for my MC license in 2007, safely maneuvering an obstacle course and safely suddenly stopping at 20 mph ...compare to a sudden stop at 30 or 40 or 50 or 60 mph. If I die while riding my bike I hope it is due to my mistake and not a car driver’s mistake. I cannot imagine being in Jim’s boots the day he died OR being the driver of a car who kills another. What is a car driver thinking when they put their massive metal mass in front of a MC riding person where the MC rider cannot avoid a collision… I guess they are just NOT thinking. BAlive2Ride.

Posted by reno2door on 04/01/08 - 8:03 am • Report Abuse