in praise of watching crash videos--with moderation

[flyingzonker]

http://motorbikewriter.com/lessons-lear ... e-crashes/

[flyingzonker]

I know a lot of riders are scared of these vids, but I feel they have been a great help to me. I have watched a lot of them and almost always I can see something the rider could have done to avoid the problem.

One great culprit is too much speed, too much confident speed. Also:

Too much trust that drivers will do what they're supposed to do. Also:

Too much trust in what flashing turn signals indicate is about to happen.

And on and on etc.

[iceman]

That 1st YT video of the guy being rear-ended - ouch! (hope I would have time to move our of the way and let the car rear-end the other one). That car must have been going at some speed as you hear the squeal of brakes for ages before he hits.

[flyingzonker]

That 1st YT video of the guy being rear-ended - ouch! (hope I would have time to move our of the way and let the car rear-end the other one). That car must have been going at some speed as you hear the squeal of brakes for ages before he hits.

I'm not sure what he could have done but it is evident that he wasn't aware of what was coming his way. If you check mirrors and see something approaching at a speed that does not indicate an intention to stop, you may have time to take some kind of evasive action before likely becomes inevitable.

[flyingzonker]

It is funny how riders avoid these videos--they would rather not know what can happen than learn how to avoid these catastrophes. You have to bite the bullet with some of these vids, but it is worth the pain to learn what to avoid and what to cultivate. At least, IMHO.

[GatorGreg]

It is funny how riders avoid these videos--they would rather not know what can happen than learn how to avoid these catastrophes. You have to bite the bullet with some of these vids, but it is worth the pain to learn what to avoid and what to cultivate. At least, IMHO.

Agreed, I have watched dozens if not 100 of these vids. Nothing beats real experience but IMO the crash vids still afford us an excellent opportunity to learn what not to do and what to watch out for without having to learn it "the hard way".

[flyingzonker]

Agreed, I have watched dozens if not 100 of these vids. Nothing beats real experience but IMO the crash vids still afford us an excellent opportunity to learn what not to do and what to watch out for without having to learn it "the hard way".

Exactly.