Just 1 Second

We are all creatures of habit.  Perhaps some are more creature-like than others. But we’ll leave that thought in the shadows for now.

We get up in the morning at pretty much the same time, take a shower, drink our coffee, and drive to work down the same street, day after day after day, on and on. Have you ever gotten out of your car once you got to work and not actually remember the drive in?  We do it so often it has become common place and unless something out of the ordinary happens, the drive is uneventful and your brain, from a layman’s point of view, shuts down and apparently does not bother to record anything.

This phenomenon is a motorcyclist’s worst enemy.  Why?  Because every time a cager hits a rider, the first thing they say to anyone willing to listen is, “I didn’t see him!”  Now, before we go any further into this subject, let me set some ground rules.  First, the term “cager” refers to anyone in a car, truck, sedan, minivan… pretty much anything not two wheels.  Second, the term “him” in this instance refers to either a man or a woman regardless of whether the biped carries the Y Chromosome or not.  Third, if you are easily offended, I suggest you stop reading now. Full Disclosure, taking responsibility for, catering to, or monitoring your emotions is nowhere on my radar screen.

We are creatures of habit.  We have all, for several decades in some cases, driven our cars to and fro and most of us diligently accept the responsibility that goes with the privilege of driving.  However, with repetition comes complacency.  We come to a stop sign and we glance left and right for oncoming traffic and proceed accordingly.  The brain is an amazing organ, but there is a problem with repetition and complacency—and I think it is self induced.  

When we look left and right, or when we look in the mirror to change lanes, or when we look straight ahead with the intent to turn left and cross oncoming traffic we look for cars, trucks and minivans; many have not conditioned their brains to see motorcycles.  I cannot tell you the number of times a car has pulled out in front of me, ran me off the road by a lane change, or crossed my path as they turn left.  Some do so and never know I’m there even after the sounds of screeching tires, horns and expletives have filled the air.  They are oblivious to their surroundings and need to be put down for the safety of others.  Those that do eventually see me seemed totally surprised as if I have popped into their surroundings from nothingness, or as if a magician has conjured me up from the dust of the ground right in front of them.  I did not pop out of nothingness and I was not conjured up by sorcery, I was there all the time; they just didn’t take the time to see me. This would be the perfect time to go into the practical application of O2DA but that’s a topic for another narrative.

Of course we have the brainless, self-indulgent, and self-important piece of worthless flesh who think it acceptable to drive down the highway or city street talking on a cell phone or sending/reading a text. I’ve even seen people drive down the road reading a book.  It is for this reason I seldom give myself ready access to a firearm while I ride.  The temptation to remove these hazards from the equation can be overwhelming.  Don’t take that as an actual threat, it’s just a flippant comment. If you choose to take it as anything other than flippant, I’ll assume you do so only because you want to, but it’s just a comment with no intended action behind it.  I will also assume most who will take that as a viable threat are the same ones who find it acceptable to drive down the road will a cell phone hanging off the side of the head.  Therein lies the real threat, the driver who will set aside their responsibility, put everyone in danger, so they can send a text.  That is a deliberate intent, not a flippantly made comment.

Indulge me for one second.  Read the next three words out loud, “One Thousand One.”  If you read that in your mind go back and read it out loud.

The one second it took to read those three words is all the time required to end a life.  That short span of inattention, the second it took to look over to grab your phone, the second you looked away while driving 40 MPH will carry you “58” feet (and a few inches to be completely accurate).  A lot can happen in “58” feet.  That same second is all the time it takes to end a Iife or save a life.  Just one second of looking a little harder to see what is actually there.  Take an extra moment to check the blind spot that will not hide a car but can hide a motorcycle.  Most riders will not hang in a cager’s blind spot but sometimes city traffic makes that difficult.

Spring is here, which means motorcycles are going to be out and about 24/7.  Use your seconds wisely.  The life you save could be a family member, your friend, or your co-worker.  For sure and certain the life you save will be a family member, friend, or co-worker to someone.

Take your responsibility seriously or get off the streets.