DECONSTRUCTING DEATH: The left turner

Dancing with Mr. Death

Death is not someone to mock or make fun of, especially when you dance with Him every time you go out for a ride. There is, however, advantage in taking apart the known facts of a fellow rider's demise to see what could have prevented the death.

Sure, it's ice cold, but it reminds us of how to keep ourselves alive.

For instance, in a classic case of "didn't see 'em," one rider was killed and another rider and passenger severely wounded when a Lexus lady pulled a left turn in front of them in the DC area.

According to NBC News Washington, two SOBs were cruising around Fairfax when the lady pulled a Louie. Both bikes struck the passenger side of the vehicle, one man dying at the scene and the other, with passenger, being badly busted up.

Naturally, Lexus Lady was not hurt. Police said no alcohol or speed appeared to be involved.

Of course all of the facts aren't there, but let's consider what we do know and how to avoid it.

First, stay alert and focused. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends a Rider Radar approach to safety where you scan the road ahead from four seconds to 12 seconds. The 12 seconds gives you an idea of what might bite you while the four seconds is what's going to chew your shoes like, right now.

With the 12-second scanning, the rider should be watching for left-turners. He should also never assume a left turner knows what they hell they're doing and should always assume that he cannot be seen.

High Viz works. White helmeted riders are 30 percent less likely to be in a crash

Second, take steps to be seen. A motorcycle is hard to see for oncoming drivers because their eyes are attracted to large objects with width. At best, a motorcycle is merely a point of headlight, unless the driver is wearing a Waste Management safety vest of electric lime green.

Yes, lime green works. Yes, it's ugly. And, it's a cliche, I know, but it's likely that lime green was not part of the riding gear.

With a slim profile, a motorcycle does not give the appearance of speed. However, merely weaving in your lane or shaking your handlebars to create side-to-side motion of the headlight and body will create a false width and the side-to-side movement may help wake up a dreaming driver and give them pause.

Third, when approaching an intersection with a possible Lefty looming, cover your brake. If you do not normally run bright lights, switch your light to high beam. DO NOT FLASH THEM: That's the universal signal for "after you."

Fourth, the bikes hit the car, apparently, at close to the same time. That makes it appear as though they were riding side-by-side or, if staggered, close to one another. Give yourself room between you and your buddy, even if you know how well they ride. Crap happens on bikes and it happens at a mile a minute so ride staggered with a second or two between you. That may have given the second rider a chance to swerve out of the way.

And, in general, practice emergency braking on your bike every time you ride. Practice swerving around manhole covers and hit the brakes hard -- using both brakes -- at a stop sign now and then. When all hell breaks lose on the road, you'll have body memory in your favor.

Ride well.

Rainman