DriveSmartBC

The July 19, 2001 edition of the Status Report looks at crash avoidance systems, red light cameras and motorcycle helmet labeling requirements.

Rock the Gear Inc. is a national, not-for-profit organization that focuses on motorcycle safety apparel education and provides a community of support for those who want to learn more and/or become involved. Brittany Morrow is the President and founder, this is her story:

For as long as I've known people that were nearly old enough to acquire a license I've been hearing the same things over and over again. It doesn't seem to matter how young or old someone is, almost all of them will offer up the fact that they are "really good drivers".

There seems to be something wrong with car and truck drivers, something that resides deep down in their souls and forces them to make things more dangerous for motorcycles.

SMIDSY, or Sorry Mate, I Didn't See You is a constant worry for motorcycle riders. This accident is easily avoidable, in order to understand why they occur, riders need to be trained to spot tell-tale signs and know how to deal with these situations. This video teaches riders to do both.

There is a lot of disagreement about the proper use of the rear brake. People that don't understand braking at all, particularly if they have experience in cars, often gravitate toward the rear brake and avoid the front brake.

This case decides the liability for a collision where a motorcycle overtaking two vehicles is struck when the second vehicle pulled out to pass the first. All three had been following together at a speed under the limit. At the first available opportunity the motorcycle passed, not seeing a signal from the vehicle in front.

A motorcycle rider decides to try and beat the yellow light and pulls out to pass other traffic that is stopping for the yellow reaching an estimated speed of 130 to 140 km/h in the posted 90 km/h zone. The driver of an oncoming car, observing traffic stopping, begins to turn left.

I do a lot of night riding, and with the days being as short as they are, I'm doing a bit more every week. At this time of year when it's dark on the island there is also a good chance it's going to be raining too, and if not, it's going to be cold enough that traction will be significantly reduced.

There is one part of a motorcycle that has no reason for existing except for making you safer, and yet most people don't seem to think about it, and hardly ever use it.