UTMC

So in a brief discussion with the new warehouse manager here at work, we were talking about our commutes.
He said by the time he hit the freeway it was like a parking lot.
I suggested he get on two wheels for the lane-splitting fun.
He said he "opens his door when he sees people lane splitting.

I said simply, "thats why I have a CCW."

Fucking people.

Man, what a douche.

That's the same guy that will tell you lane splitting is dangerous. "Yes it is, because of ass heads like you!"

Lane-sharing here in WA state is a potential reckless-driving citation. I've had cigarette-butts, aluminum cans, and beer-bottles tossed at me while doing it (not like I do it all the time, very rarely, in fact).

I've often imagined how it might play out in the case where a 4-wheeler did open a car-door on me... I'd have to slow the bike enough to prevent going over the bars (I don't move that fast when splitting anyway) but still make sure to hit the door hard enough to spring it permanently-open, and then I'd have to make sure and fall off the bike INTO the passenger-compartment, and then I'd have to start flailing around to be able to get myself out of someone else's vehicle. Sooner or later, the police would arrive...

"Honestly officer, I have no idea why he opened the door like that. I tried to avoid it, but once I hit the door I really had no control over where everything landed. I don't think my helmet or gear is damaged, and I'm pretty sure I can ride my bike home. ...and I have no idea how the other driver's nose got smashed and broken like that... maybe he bashed it into my helmet when I fell into his car? I hope he's going to be OK.".

...seriously... this would definitely be lose-lose, but I often wondered why anyone would want to piss off someone wearing full armor and then invite them inside their passenger-compartment.

I'm also pretty sure that the penalty for vehicular-assault is at least as dire as the penalty for reckless-driving.

This happened to my uncle a good many years ago in Melbourne. He was riding along a 2 lane each way strip in the city centre, lane-sharing past the backed-up cars when dickhead driver opens his door.

Uncle: 'Scuse me, your door's in the way.
Dickhead: You shouldn't be doing that! It's dangerous!
Uncle: Ummm... what you've just done is dangerous. Will you close your door?
Dickhead: No!
Uncle: Ok.
...as he slowly releases the clutch, front wheel mating with the door, and gently bends it on its hinges, never to close again. Waddled back and around the waiting cars, accelerating off feeling a tad naughty but knowing he'd done the right thing.

I like my uncles.

I can relate to that guy. You know, when I see people going into the express lines with 13 items instead of 12, I put a fucking gun to their head!!! And when I see people put an aluminum can in the garbage(when a recycle bin is right next to it), I pull out my knife and charge at their throat.

Give me a loaded revolver and I could kill 6 people. Give me a car with a full tank of gas and I could kill hundreds. Cars are a hell of a weapon.

Seriously, it amazes me how stupid people are with automobiles. I generally feel like, as motorcyclists, we just have to get over it with regards to asshole cagers, but there are some times when it really feels like so much more than just being careless. An automobile is a deadly weapon and deadly weapons should not be used to threaten people over minor disagreements (or major ones for that matter).

Rev wrote:

Rabbit_Fighter wrote:I can relate to that guy. You know, when I see people going into the express lines with 13 items instead of 12, I put a fucking gun to their head!!! And when I see people put an aluminum can in the garbage(when a recycle bin is right next to it), I pull out my knife and charge at their throat.

I saw someone driving on the shoulder the other day, so I followed him home and slaughtered his family. That shit's dangerous.

Funny you mention that. I know this ninja... one time he was eating at a diner when somebody dropped a spoon on the floor. he flipped out and killed the whole town. really.

It's a reckless driving charge as well here in VA. I tried it once and must have past a cop who blipped his siren. I got back into line and didn't get pulled over. I decided it wasn't worth donating to the commonwealth.

icycle wrote:It's a reckless driving charge as well here in VA. I tried it once and must have past a cop who blipped his siren. I got back into line and didn't get pulled over. I decided it wasn't worth donating to the commonwealth.

Yep, it's wreckless driving here. You were lucky. I got to donate to the Commonwealth AND get my license suspended for 6 months.

At least I avoided jail time. I like to think that's why I paid the laywer, as he was otherwise a total useless fuckwit.

--Jaeger