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Biker seriously hurt in motorcycle crash



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Published: September 11, 2009

CAVENDISH — A North Springfield motorcyclist is listed in serious condition after a crash Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly before 4 p.m., police said, Warren G. Richardson, 45, was riding north on Route 103 on a 2003 Honda motorcycle when he struck a 1997 Volkswagen Golf driven by Haley A. Adams, 16, of Chester.

Police said Adams was stopped at Depot Street and did not see Richardson approaching as she made a left turn onto Route 103. Richardson's bike clipped Adams' car and he crashed, police said.

Richardson was flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., with head injuries, police said, and he was listed in serious condition Thursday afternoon according to a hospital spokeswoman.

— Staff reports








READER COMMENTS


Actually MS you would travel 733 feet in 10 seconds if doing 50 mph. If he was guilty of doing 10 miles over the speed limit or 60 mph he would have traveled 880 feet in 10 seconds. If she had looked North 2 seconds prior to pulling out and looked South 1 second prior to pulling out and then spent 5 seconds pulling out and getting into position. He could have traveled anywhere from 586 feet to 704 feet.
In that 8 seconds or 6 to 700 feet alot of things could have been going on. Another car may have been in front of the Cycle and was turning off the road when she looked. He may have been a shadow of a tree or a building or whatever.

Would everyone quit acting like they are know it alls because they own a bike. I drove 4000 miles per week for 4 years and I went up and down 103 and thru Chester a 1000 times. I have had people of all ages do some pretty stupid stuff in front of me, behind me and beside me. I had 80,000 pounds most of the time and had to be looking 5 times further up the road than someone in a car had to. I needed more room to come to a stop. I had 4 wheelers pull right in front of me and then never hit the gas but be at a stop to make a turn, maybe they thought I could stop on a dime. I have had to hit the shoulder on more than one occassion. 18 wheelers and 4 wheelers is about the same scenerio as 4 wheeler and 2 wheeler. I have seen som ereally stupid manuevers and I will say that females were not in the majority of them. It was MEN of almost any age you want to pick.
-- Posted by None None on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, 5:50 pm EST

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Let's look at some possibilities.

1. it is NOT a no no for her to have friends in the car, regardless if it is a Jr operators. She has to have had her license for a period of six months before having passengers, that aren't related.

2. Was the "A" pillar in her way of a clear view? then car design may have been a factor.

3. Directionals don't mean a thing to most drivers, I learned as a truck driver with 5 directionals per side that everyone thought the directionals I had on were for the drivers behind them. I put a few in the median who didn't want to adhere to my early warnings. Most were middle age and male.

4. Coming home from work would mean, late afternoon and a low Sun and she may have had temp Sun blindness, on account she was stopped and facing a rather southwest direction.

5. Could his bike have blended in the background and did he have a headlight on? Many more shadows in that area, late in the day.

6. Was there something else that may have grabbed her attention for the second it took for her to pull out?

7. Was he going fast enough that he wasn't in her site when she started to pull out and then there he was?

8. Did they continue to drive or did they wait to find a safe place to turn around and head back. Seems Dr Gonzo seems to think they were hit and running until he believes they saw witnesses. LOL Right on Dr.Gonzo always the negative jerk aren't you?
There are many factors and so many variables that all we outsiders can do is not show our ignorance by pre judging someone because they are younger, (NASCAR has had some PRO Drivers in their teens)or pre judging because we want to start an argument rather than deal with facts.


We need to just wish the best for both of them and let the courts do the judging.
-- Posted by None None on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, 5:20 pm EST

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Lucky this did not happen in New Hampshire.
No helmet law....how dumb can that be
-- Posted by My Comment on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, 4:33 pm EST

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This is the most amazing thread ever.... How about this.

Let's hope for the motorcycle drivers speedy and full recovery.

Lets hope that the driver has learned an important lesson, look extra carefully for all vehicles and bicycles too!

There's an amazing number people here that must have never ever made a mistake behind the wheel.(heh, right)

Accidents really do happen, I'm sure that she didn't turn with the intention of cutting off the bike.

MS, I suppose you know that she saw the bike even though she said she didn't. You must be an epic clairvoyant... How about getting off your high horse, and BTW it's legal for a 16 year old to have passengers. Educate yourself. Troll.
-- Posted by Dave None on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, 3:56 pm EST

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My daughter who is a few months over 17 years of age goes for her license test this week. All these posts scare me to death for her.

I chose to make her wait until after she was 17 to get her license because I felt that she was in no way mature enough to do so at 16. I feel one year has made a tremendous difference.

I will be printing out this article and all these posts for her to read. Hopefully it will make her think twice about consequences of poor decisions.

EVERYONE makes driving mistakes...not long ago I was in my car dwelling in my own mind about a relative that had just passed and I blew through a red light...I could have killed someone...but fortunately didn't.

Just yesterday I was stopped behind a car on Route 7 that was trying to turn left. There was a line of traffic behind me including a motorcycle which was about 7 vehicles behind me. The motorcycle then passed everyone in front of him ON THE RIGHT. It was definitely wront to do that.

But my point is, everyone makes mistakes. There's not a one that has posted here (if they have a drivers license) that hasn't made a mistake.

My brother-in-law almost died from a motorcycle accident 25 years ago because a 70 year old woman made a left turn in front of him.

My nephew almost died 3 years ago because he lost control of his motorcycle going too fast on a curve.

Everyone makes mistakes!

Hopefully the motorcycle driver makes a full recovery and is able to go home to his family quickly.

Hopefully the teen recovers too - I'm sure she is suffering psychologically and mentally in some fashion.
-- Posted by Citizen With a View on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, 8:43 am EST

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Sorry M S but I don't think the town "Scoop" is a fact for #4.

I just hope that Warren can recover from this accident. It's a scary thing.
-- Posted by Rebecca Brown on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 5:50 pm EST

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Posted by Eric Stanson on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 12:47 pm EST
Martin Landon...
"i ride with my hood ornament lined up between the yellow lines so that if 2 motorcycles come at me, they can go around! I might stay there for you though Martin...give you a VW tattoo..."

You apparently have the same attitude as about 30% of 4 wheeled vehicle drivers out there, the yellow lines don't apply to you. Next time any of you are out for a drive, check to see if that center line is being crossed. Far too many people stray too far right. I can only hope this poster takes the same driving line when a semi comes down the road.

Do some motorcyclists ride on the edge? No doubt about it. Are they a significant portion of all motorcycists? Not even close, but they do draw attention to themselves (BTW, most of them will drive a car the same way). I'd hazard that the percentage of motorcyclists and car drivers on the edge is approximately the same.

Any 2003 road motorcycle would have its headlight on, and wouldn't have a legal headlight modulator.
I have one headlight and two spotlights facing from,a s well as two orange marker/directional lights, and am still invisible to far too many drivers.
-- Posted by Jerry none on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 4:51 pm EST

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you people are all just too freaking funny... Some of these posts have to be the funniest things I have read all year here.
Fact 1: The intersection where this took place is clear for the better part of a mile heading North (the direction that the motorcycle came from). I know this is a fact because I have been driving this stretch of highway for almost 15 years 5 days a week.
Fact 2: The speed limit is 50mph. Do the math, at that speed a vehicle is covering just under a mile a minute... so figure that you are moving approx. 500feet in 10 seconds.
Fact 3: The young lady driving the car pulled out in front of him forcing him to take evasive actions. For those of you that haven't ever been on a bike, don't even attempt to say you understand this. You are attempting to either stop or turn a motorcycle not a bicycle. The weight difference alone would throw an inexperienced driver to the pavement in the blink of an eye. So yes, he clipped her car. He was probably very lucky to not t-bone her.
Fact 4: 3 witnesses dialed 911. 3 witnesses reported she had 2 passengers in the car (illegal under state law). 3 witnesses report her leaving the scene and returning.
Fact 5: She used the excuse that 99.9% of cage drivers use when they have an accident with a motorcycle " I didn't see them". totally lame.

So stop with the supposition and face the facts. She caused the accident thru carelessness and now has to pay the consequences.
-- Posted by M S on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 4:31 pm EST

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None None,

A) The 16 year old wasn't on the bike.

B) I was comparing HP of a 1000cc vs an old 5.0 Mustang just to help them understand my point of view. Yes, it was a bit extreme but we don't know what kind of bike was being driven.

C) http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/1268531.html

Bike costs under 9k, brand new, and is well over your 9k RPM limit.

They mention 5% more power @ 12,500 RPM. So that is most likely the bikes "powerband". Where it creates the most foot lbs of torque. So the bike most likely can reach higher RPM's. 16k-18k possibly. Maybe higher. I'm not sure.

We don't know if this, above, was a Crotch Rocket or a casual riding bike. Even casual riding bikes can have 100-130 HP. As much as a 2 to 3ltr 4stroke engine found in a CAR! At a fraction of the weight.

(The point I was making if you it's possible for you to understand is... These bikes can go from 0-60 in less time than a car. Speed limit in Cavendish is 35?... A bike can be where it wasn't in a hurry.)

Yup.. If she was driving defensively. It most likely would not have happened. But it is possible to STILL happen even if she did everything right. Same MAY be said about the man on the bike. IF he was horsing around and driving aggressively. It may have been avoided on his part.

She may be 100 percent at fault. But the story doesn't explain that.. yet. I just didn't like people's tone against young adults. Assuming they are always at fault. Personally, I've had more problems with elderly drivers cutting me off because many only use mirrors. They are not as limber as they used to be. Some do not check blind spots.


Mav Eric,

Yes, on the "20" age thing. But if we didn't give licenses out til people are 20.

Then how many years experience do they have behind the wheel at 20? If they start at 20?

Would it fix the issue?

Would for some .. Wouldn't for others.

Adults use the phones while driving. Adults put on makeup while driving. They change CD's, stations, and do other attention grabbing activities.

Accident's happen. $h!^ happens. Even when you do everything right.

Sometimes even nature can play a hand in it. I know some streets/intersections, during certain times of the day, that the sun is blinding. I can't see a car coming, let alone a motorcycle.
-- Posted by CF Reality on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 3:52 pm EST

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" no 16 year old jack ass is going to be riding a bike with 170hp."

I think the None None that wrote it needs to re-read anyways. The gentleman that was on the bike was 45 yrs old, not the 16 yr old.
-- Posted by Rebecca Brown on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 2:45 pm EST

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cf reality you are just pulling numbers out of your ass. A 4 stroke motorcycle does not, will not, and will never push 20k RPMs. A 4 stroke doesnt even push 8 or 9k. 4 strokes are meant for low RPMs. 2 stroke push 7 or 8k sometimes upwards of 9k. You do not know your ass from your elbow. If you are doing 8k RPMs in your car or truck you are a fool.
And you show me a bike that has 170hp that isn't worth 20 grand buddy, no 16 year old jack ass is going to be riding a bike with 170hp.

You sir, know nothing about what you speak
-- Posted by None None on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 5:15 am EST

Is this the pot calling the kettle black, or just a bad case of diarrhea of the mouth? A stock zx14 will push 200HP at the motor, over 170 at the wheel. The cost for this beauty? $12,100. A far cry from the $20k you so falsely speak of. Oh yeah, it's a four stroke with a red line starting above 11,000 RPM. An R6 (four stroke, $10,400) redline is over 16k rpm. While not the 20k you unknowingly speak, it is far above what you perceive to be the limit. Please do us a favor and research a little before spreading lies. It makes us other "None None"s look bad.
-- Posted by None None on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 2:09 pm EST

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Martin Landon...
does the manual say anything about crossing over the double yellow line like I was suggesting happens?

i ride with my hood ornament lined up between the yellow lines so that if 2 motorcycles come at me, they can go around! I might stay there for you though Martin...give you a VW tattoo...
-- Posted by Eric Stanson on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 12:47 pm EST

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There is some confusion about where this accident happened. The intersection of Depot St. and Rt. 103 is in Proctorsville (which is in the town of Cavendish) The speed limit there on 103 is a safe 50 MPH. The line of site in both directions pulling out of Depot St. onto Rt. 103 is about 1000 feet in each direction.
-- Posted by Moses Page on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 11:07 am EST

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CF Reality

The motorcycle rider in this accident was 45 years old. It is my experience that the wheelie popping, street racing, reckless biker you speculate about is not in this age category.

And you are totally speculating about the performance characteristics of his specific motorcycle. At his age, it is more likely he was riding some kind of touring cruiser.

Even your weight figures are wrong. No matter what the power characteristics, the total weight to be moved is the mass of the motorcycle and the driver combined. I have never seen a motorcycle riding itself down the road, nor have I ever seen a rider that weighs 0 pounds.
-- Posted by Ray Makul on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 6:56 am EST

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Mav needs to find a biker and tell him or her how it is
-- Posted by None None on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 5:43 am EST

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cf reality you are just pulling numbers out of your ass. A 4 stroke motorcycle does not, will not, and will never push 20k RPMs. A 4 stroke doesnt even push 8 or 9k. 4 strokes are meant for low RPMs. 2 stroke push 7 or 8k sometimes upwards of 9k. You do not know your ass from your elbow. If you are doing 8k RPMs in your car or truck you are a fool.

And maverick is right, its not the rider its the moron on their cell phone not paying attention to anything but themselves.

And you show me a bike that has 170hp that isn't worth 20 grand buddy, no 16 year old jack ass is going to be riding a bike with 170hp.

You sir, know nothing about what you speak
-- Posted by None None on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, 5:15 am EST

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Yes, your hypothetical situation created an accident that was the motorcyclists fault.
Congrats.
Now tell me how many car/motorcycle accidents in the paper this year involved a under 20 y/o behind the wheel of the car?
How many were clearly caused by the motorcyclists high power to weight ratio bike?

Yes, motorcycles are dangerous vehicles, statistically not from the rider or speed of the bike, but because the drivers of cars have more important things to do, other than pay attention to the road..like yell at the kids in the back, answer the phone, drink their coffee, light a cig, put on make-up, you get the point... all those things that are so much more important than another human life...

God forbid if people start taking responsibility for their actions, or holding others accountable.
-- Posted by Mav Erick on Sun, Sep 13, 2009, 6:27 pm EST

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Silly comments section doesn't allow extra spaces or editing. >.<
-- Posted by CF Reality on Sun, Sep 13, 2009, 8:50 am EST

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Mav Eric,

You totally missed the point.

The point is... Motorcycles have an extreme amount of torque and can reach high RPM's. Some have AS MUCH HP as a small sports cars. AT A FRACTION OF THE WEIGHT.

If you still don't understand.
(400lb motorcycle at say 170HP. And can reach extremely high RPM's. Some excel above 20k RPM's. 2500lb car at 170hp. That may top out at 8-9k RPM's.) Not sure what kind of motorcycle he has. 2003 Honda... Could be a casual riding style. Or could be a racing bike.

Point is... If he was horsing around, pulled out of a driveway or business, and was driving excessively fast/quick. It's very possible that she did not see him. Because he was not there when she looked. (Motorcycles have a lot of "get up and go". And many drivers that drive motorcycles like to "get up and go".)

Point is... It's not always the Car/Trucks fault.

We will not know the person at fault until they finish the investigation. It's also possible that both made a mistake.

People are using THEIR experiences and assuming SHE is at fault. Because they been there and did that.

Motorcyclists are not perfect. They do make mistakes and they do put themselves at risk. You can't tell me otherwise. I've seen them do it.

120? Huh?

Fast speeds are not the only thing that cause accidents. Cavendish speed limit is 35? Is it possible he didn't slow down?


Bad truth about motorcycles....
__________________________________________________________

-------------------------------------<Bike)---------------
_______________________( car/truck >_______________
Car |
Ready|
to |
Turn |

Say you look right, you don't see anything. You look left and a vehicle is just about to go by and nothing behind it. You look right again and you see nothing, but a motorcycle is hidden by a car/truck/18-wheeler. (Nothing has come from the direction the Motorcycle is traveling. Nothing is seen in that direction.)

Technically this driver did everything right. They looked both ways, even twice, and felt save enough to go. Being extremely attentive can still put you in harms way.

Motorcycles are dangerous. It's that simple.
-- Posted by CF Reality on Sun, Sep 13, 2009, 8:47 am EST

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It is sad when people who have probably never been on a motorcycle in their entire lives offer definitive opinions that "because the motorcycle hit the car" the motorcyclist is at fault.

Inattentive auto drivers are the biggest hazard to the motorcyclist. They can, and often do, pull out in front of you at any time, the same as a deer jumping in front of a car.

I assume you also think that every time a car hits a deer, it is the driver's fault. Well, even the insurance industry does not view it this way. An insurance claim for hitting a deer is an "act of God" comprehensive claim. And I am not blaming the driver because of her age. Inattentive drivers come in many ages, but a car full of kids is conducive to inattention, particularly if the driver is inexperienced.

And I base this on my personal knowledge of my own youth, not speculation.
-- Posted by Ray Makul on Sun, Sep 13, 2009, 7:52 am EST

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I can quote myself all day too Bill. I also said that "you were NOT there so who knows if either were really paying attention or what happened." you left out that part.

I agree with No Justice and Thank you Carrie.
-- Posted by Rebecca Brown on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:54 pm EST

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Rebecca, I know what I read and here are your words..."It also says he clipped her car, which would mean there was some room..." You also wrote "Re-read the article again, it states HE hit her car." Perhaps you didn't mean to, but by your own words you were clearly taking the cyclist to task there, while offering the driver a defense by assuming that she didn't see him..."Which would mean that NO she didn't see the bike after making her stop and proceeding threw [sic]".
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-- Posted by Bill O. Rights on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:28 pm EST

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Thank You Carrie Atwood for putting this into the exact light that it needs to be. Pray for the motorcyclist - negative thoughts will do no one any good. God Bless the young girl that hit him - how easily we forget that we are all human - there is so much judging and assuming - people assume age is a factor - how many of you can honestly say that you have never made a mistake while driving and had one of those "almost incidents". This poor man is in the hospital and this young girl is I am sure going through an extremely difficult time as well - all of your anger towards her will help no one. Pray that you never end up where either of these people are - and be thankful that you haven't yet - it could be any of you. To assume this young driver is a snot nose brat is ridiculous - for all you know she could be a wonderful young woman - Quit the hate and anger - if you want to do something offer to help out the man in the hospital - get off your computers and put your money where your mouth is - mow their lawn, bring the family a meal. Don't complain unless you are going to be part of the solution.
-- Posted by No Justice In Vermont on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:12 pm EST

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(I guess it was Rebecca's desperate attempt to rationalize away the guilt that the car operator will face for violating the cyclist's right of way

No Bill, but since you seem to to know EVERYTHING people are saying here was.. Warren clipped the car, meaning Haley was already pulling out of this intersection, Which would mean that NO she didn't see the bike after making her stop and proceeding threw. That corner is nasty to start with as i stated before. I was defending the "snot nosed brat" comment that was made though. Just because she is 16 doesn't mean that shes that. Sorry to disappoint ya there Bill.
-- Posted by Rebecca Brown on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 9:31 pm EST

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Michelle, you erroneously attributed the he"...should have gone around her..." remark to me. I was defending the cyclist's right of way in response to one Rebecca Brown's assertion that because he "clipped" the young driver's vehicle it would indicate that there should have been room for him to get around her (I guess it was Rebecca's desperate attempt to rationalize away the guilt that the car operator will face for violating the cyclist's right of way). I've been in the cyclist's position before, having to avoid inattentive drivers, and know the challenges associated with doing so.

Talk to Rebecca about her need to defend the automobile driver...
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-- Posted by Bill O. Rights on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 8:44 pm EST

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I know Warren & his wife. Warren is a great guy. Please just think positive thoughts and send your prayers. Name calling isn't going to help anyone in this situation. I'm sure Haley is not a "snot nosed brat." I know her family too. She is a young, inexperienced driver with a lot to learn and has obviously made some bad choices. We're all human and occasionally we all make mistakes, some worse than others.
-- Posted by Carrie Atwood on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 6:01 pm EST

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Okay I feel the need to comment, first of all Dr. Gonzo you need to look at the facts. a junior operator CAN have others in the car. for the first 3 months, no one can be in the car unless they are over 25 then for 3-6 months of having it they can have 1 sibling and then from 6 months to when ever others can join them I know my son is 17,.
now as far as this "SNOT NOSED TEEN" my husband was in a motorcycle accident June 8th 2005. he was driving south on route 7 and some lady in her late 20's ran the stop sign and didn't have her corrective lens on. so it has nothing to do with age as far as accidents.My husband t-boned her right between the two doors. pushed the doors in 8 inches. people are always saying you should have gone around her.
someone, I think it was BILL O RIGHTS said the same thing. my husband said you can't you know your body just "shuts down" my husband also had a brain bleed, small but had one and he had a fractured leg. thankfully he is okay
Most motorcycles now come where the head light is always on.
This was just an accident, I am sure the 16 year old didn't set out to purposely hurt him. Just lets be more aware and yes there are some motorcyclist who like to have the thrill of speeding and drive reckless, not saying this man was doing this but there are some
Hopefully both parties are okay
-- Posted by Michelle Burnett on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 1:32 pm EST

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"But I've seen snowmobiles with as much or more Horsepower than a mustang 5.0. (A stock thundercat has ~175HP and the old stock mustang 5.0 had ~178,
-- Posted by CF Reality on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:17 am EST "

Your comparing early '80s V-8 to modern off road racing snowmobiles?... isn't that kinda like saying a new lawn tractor has more HP than a VW Beetle?

You might have a point if Warren was traveling at 120 mph, but he wasnt.
Motorcycles could be wearing Neon Green and have more flashing lights than the Las Vegas strip, and inattentive drivers still wouldn't "see" them.
-- Posted by Mav Erick on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:40 am EST

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Question to Warren's neighbors or family friends:

Has there been any improvement in his medical condition?
-- Posted by Bruce Michaels on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:23 am EST

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Juliet,

The state can issue a learner's permit at the age of 15...not a license. After a year of having a learner's permit, they can take the test and get a junior's license, IF they pass all requirements. If they have a junior's license, there are restrictions on them.
-- Posted by Rebecca Brown on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:21 am EST

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Just to give you an idea...

I don't know a TON about motorcycles. But I've seen snowmobiles with as much or more Horsepower than a mustang 5.0. (A stock thundercat has ~175HP and the old stock mustang 5.0 had ~178, motorcycles/snowmobiles are at a fraction of the weight.)

He could have easily put himself in the position to get into an accident. I've seen many people do it. Getting up to speed quickly is not against the law. But it can definitely affect someone else's judgement. And make it appear to be someone else's fault.
-- Posted by CF Reality on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:17 am EST

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This is a preliminary report.

Investigation has yet to be completed.

For all we know he could have pulled out of a driveway, or business and accelerated quickly. Or maybe he was traveling too fast? Not sure yet.

Motorcycles have a lot of Torque. And many drivers LOVE to use it. He may NOT have been where she looked 1-2 seconds ago and quickly caught up to her as she made the decision to go onto the road.

He clipper her.

Is it possible that he had a blinker on and was near the white line. Did it appear he was going to turn somewhere?

Personally, I've seen Bikers leave their blinkers on for miles. It's extremely dangerous but they sometimes do not hear or see the warning.

Not every driver drives defensively. If either of these drivers drove defensively than this accident may NOT have happened.


Age of drivers plays a role.

I think younger drivers may take more risks. I know I certainly did when I was younger.

You learn with experience. Starting drivers off older only means they will have less experience at that older age. Will it change the results much? I don't think so.
-- Posted by CF Reality on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:43 am EST

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http://www.iihs.org/laws/GraduatedLicenseIntro.aspx

Some interesting info on all state teen driving laws and their rankings by the IHSI...about age and restrictions....VT still issues licensens during 15th year...and lifts restrictions before 17. The accident rates drop the higher the actual age restrictions are lifted.
-- Posted by Juliet Chien on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:29 am EST

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As someone who has had a motorcycle license for 45 years now, one must be very fearful when approaching an intersection with a car sitting there waiting to pull out in front of you. I had an accident very similar to this one in 1965. The car driver just did not see or notice me, even though there was nothing to obstruct the vision.

What I do is to concentrate on the car driver's head, to see if they are looking my way, and also look at the car's wheels, to see if they are moving at all.

Who was at fault here has nothing to do with who hit who. Traffic proceeding on a highway has the right of way over vehicles trying to pull out onto the highway.
-- Posted by Ray Makul on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 8:38 am EST

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When you see someone on the road and you think they might do something--like pull out in front of you or turn across in front of you--it's best to slow down on the assumption that they will. If they don't, well, you haven't lost anything. If they do, well, you have gained something.
-- Posted by SC Boy on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 5:32 am EST

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Time to raise the driving age to 17...the statistics according to the ISI improve in just that one year!

I hope they can drive because at 18 they can be handed a weapon a told to defend a nation...
-- Posted by Mikie None on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 10:32 pm EST

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Juliet, do you think that may relate to the year of driving experience that these teens have gained?
I still remember my driver's ed teacher Mr Brown telling us that the only thing a blinker tells you is that it works. You can't depend on the blinker for the driver's intentions. Not sure if a blinker is involved here, but it's info you could pass on to young ones. I have drilled that statement into my own kid's heads.
Also, on a bike, it doesn't really matter if you are in the right or wrong, you are the one that is going to get hurt. I've been riding for 20 years, and have had numerous close calls from "cagers" not seeing me.
-- Posted by None None on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 10:19 pm EST

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eric as a bike rider if you get the manual to get a permit to ride in vermont law says you ride side by side on the road so take your vw and ride dirt roads or go back to the flat lands
-- Posted by martin landon on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 9:13 pm EST

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Time to raise the driving age to 17...the statistics according to the ISI improve in just that one year!
-- Posted by Juliet Chien on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 7:04 pm EST

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Defensive driving has to be the rule of the road today. Too many distracted, irresponsible, discourteous, offensive, and/or unlawful drivers out there today. And even then, a good defense may be no match for their "offense"-iveness!
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-- Posted by Bill O. Rights on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 6:30 pm EST

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not to poison this otherwise positive discussion with my 2 cents...

but you bikers have to admit that some of your comrades are a little crazy on the bikes...so the line..."We have just as much right to be on the road as you do" irks me...I have been wildly tailgated and passed in absolute horrible bends by bikers who think they own the road...or riding side by side on a one lane road so that one biker is in my lane...why is this when I have chosen a steel box and they are out in the open? I think bikers believe they shoul dget special treatment...in my oinion..they shouldnt...

as to the intersection...it goes down to 30 mph i think after most are going 55 for the last hour...so trafic moves through there pretty quick...i would guess (as opposed to assume) that the cycles speed will be a factor...
-- Posted by Eric Stanson on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 4:22 pm EST

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You are absolutely right about the helmet light Bruce. Bad idea all the way around. Sorry I even mentioned it.

In any event, I hope Warren gets well soon and that this tragedy heightens the awareness of the car-driving public to the plight of motorcyclists. Keep an eye out for us when entering the highway. We have just as much right to be on the road as you do. We may be a little harder to see than a car so take a second look before proceeding. In an accident with a motorcycle, if you make a mistake in judgement you generally only get a dent in your car, but we end up with far worse problems so be careful, share the road and drive safe.
-- Posted by Just Me on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 3:44 pm EST

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I don't think it was a matter of a "snot nosed brat" or a bike, That intersection is bad. You can't see around the corner and IF someone comes around that corner even slightly over the speed limit, it gets scary. It get scary even without speed involved. Been there when tractor trailers come threw and it's not where I wanted to be. There isn't a mirror( or wasn't) last time i've gone threw there. Don't even think there is a place for one to see what is coming around that corner.
-- Posted by Rebecca Brown on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 3:13 pm EST

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The flashing light in the helmet won't work for another reason. Even if riders were willing to wear them (and they won't). There is the problem of powering them. Since it is not connected to the motorcycle's electrical system, it would need it's own batteries. They would need to be replaced or recharged all the time. That's just not gonna happen. The flashing headlight might improve a motorcyclist's visibility during the daytime, but tests would have to be done and state laws would have to be changed and then there is the problem of all older bikes on the road. I am tired of people always pulling out in front of me too but I don't know what the answer is, other than stop riding my motorcycle, and I sure don't want to do that just yet.
-- Posted by Bruce Michaels on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 3:08 pm EST

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Yes I know, the flashing orange light on my bike is called the turn-signal and they do seem to get people's attention rather quickly. As soon as I turn it on, drivers out pull in front of me thinking I'm turning so I always have to be careful when I use them. The fact that it is flashing seems to be the key to getting people's attention though. I suspect that if the bike's headlight was designed to flash during the daytime, it would be far more noticeable to other drivers than the constant-on headlight. You could argue that a flashing light built into the helmet would also be in improvement, but that would really look goofy and it would be a very sell to get bikers to wear them.
-- Posted by Just Me on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 2:22 pm EST

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Thank you Dr Gonzo for that excellent update and to Ron Pulcer for his input.

A side comment to Ron, I have to ride my motorcycle with my headlight on during the daytime and some people still don't see me, even when I am riding slow around town. I just don't think that an orange vest is going to help much. Construction workers wear them and get hit from time to time. Heck, hunters even wear orange and they are standing still and they even get shot. People just don't see things from time to time...... hmmm.... I wonder if a "flashing" orange colored light on the bike might help. I bet if it was flashing blue it would help :-)

The family and I sure hope that Warren fully recovers quickly.
-- Posted by Just Me on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 2:01 pm EST

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Hopefully this link to map will work out better:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Cavendish&state=vt&address=Route%2B103%2BAnd%2BDepot%2BSt

.
-- Posted by Ron Pulcer on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 1:11 pm EST

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Best wishes, thoughts and prayers to the motorcyclist, Mr. Richardson.

Here is a map of the Depot St and Route 103 intersection:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Cavendish&state=vt&address=Route 103 And Depot St

I commute on Route 103 five days a week, so this is a scary story. None of us were there to witness this terrible accident. But it does appear that there is a curve in Route 103 just before the Depot St. intersection. Whether the motorcyclist was before / within / after the curve at the time the teen driver was at the stop sign, we don't know.

I have a suggestion to possibly prevent these types of accidents. I know it might not be fashionable for the bikers, but if they wore a flourescent orange vest over their black leather jackets, it would make them more visible to other drivers. In Amish country (Pennsylvania and Ohio), the Amish have been putting the orange triangle signs on their wagons to make them more visible to motorized vehicle drivers. Just a thought.
.
-- Posted by Ron Pulcer on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 1:06 pm EST

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The local scoop in Cavendish is this......(there were 3 witness' who saw the whole thing and called 911)
Warren was traveling south (not north) on his way home from work in Ludlow like he does every single day. Haley had two other girls in the car with her (a no no for a Junior License) when she came to the Depot St/ Rt 103 intersection to make a left headed back to chester. As Warren came around the turn, Haley pulled right out in front of him. Warren tried to swerve and miss her and ended up clipping the rear edge of the car sending him out of control into a crash. One witness said the girls all turned around and watched him crash, then kept going south. They stopped and went back when they realized there were witness'.
Warren has a broken skull and 4 different brain bleeds.
The next few days will tell if he will make it or not. If he does make it, he may not be himself anymore.
ALL young drivers must understand that driving a car is serious business. If you have a teenage driver at home, keep pounding them with this point. It might save a life some day.
-- Posted by Dr. Gonzo on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 12:42 pm EST

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Marianne, the trolls know aaalllllll...

Question not the trolls....
-- Posted by Dave None on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 11:42 am EST

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Just to jump on the assumption band wagon and knowing this corner:

OR The motorcycle was not visible when the driver checked before taking her turn but due to his speed he came into view after it was too late for her to take evasive action and also due to his speed he didn't have time to react.

I have to say you guys crack me up with your assumptions. JUST ME I thought you had been on scene the way you were hypothesizing.

And BTW I sign my real name.
-- Posted by Marianne McGee on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 11:36 am EST

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Typo correction to my post below. RT103 not 130
-- Posted by Just Me on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 11:23 am EST

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The motorcycle driver hit the teen's car because she pulled out in front of him. He was traveling north on the highway. The teen unexpectedly entered the highway from a side road directly in the motorcyclist's path. The side road (actually a fork in the road) has a stop sign that people frequently ignore if RT 130 looks clear. Unfortunately, the teen failed to yield to the on coming traffic as required by law and caused the motorcyclist to hit her car. It would appear that her inattentiveness was the direct cause of the accident and subsequent serious injury. There are no excuses for this unless :

* Her car experienced brake failure, preventing her car from stopping at the stop sign, or

* She experienced some sort of medical problem which prevented her from actuating her brakes. OR, (and this is a very big "OR")

* The motorcyclist had his turnsignal flashing to make a right hand turn on to Depot Street. In that case, his inattentiveness to his machines settings would be the cause of the accident.

Accident's don't just happen. They each have a cause. My experience has shown time and time again, the vast majority of traffic accidents are a direct cause of driver error. Unfortunately these errors occur at a much higher rate among young inexperienced drivers which is precisely why those drivers receive the highest insurance policy rates. However, in this case, the cause could be with the motorcycle driver. I just hope that the on-scene accident investigator noted the position of the turn signal switch on the motorcycle. If it was in the right-turn position the teen will have a reasonable defense in court.
-- Posted by Just Me on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 11:18 am EST

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Yes Bill that's what it says. It also says he clipped her car, which would mean there was some room, and for None None to call a 16 year old a "snot nosed little brat" and go off like that is totally un-called for. As I said, I hope Warren recovers fully.
-- Posted by Rebecca Brown on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 10:34 am EST

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Rebecca, the article states that "Police said Adams was stopped at Depot Street and did not see Richardson approaching as she made a left turn onto Route 103." That would indicate that she pulled out in front of the motorcycle and denied his right of way, forcing him to then initiate evasive action in order to try and avoid her.

At least cell phone use hasn't been cited as a factor...yet.
-
-- Posted by Bill O. Rights on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 10:28 am EST

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Unfortunetly we motorcycle riders seem to be invisable to the general public,Lets all hope warren is all right and not beat up on a young driver who probably feels bad enuff right now.
-- Posted by Patrick Fowler on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 9:07 am EST

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None None,

I'm sure you were one of those "snot nosed little brats" at one time. Re-read the article again, it states HE hit her car...you were NOT there so who knows if either were really paying attention or what happened.

I hope Warren can recover fully and my thoughts and prayers are with him and family.
-- Posted by Rebecca Brown on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 8:47 am EST

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Stay Strong Warren!! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
-- Posted by None None on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 7:51 am EST

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Yeah exactly why snot nosed brats need to stay off the road until they are an adult and can handle these situations, instead we let pubescent teens full of hormones and not a care in the world, on to the roads where they continually kill people or send them to the hospital.
-- Posted by None None on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 7:32 am EST

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Very sad. A 16 year old driver with only a couple months behind the wheel can change your life forever by accident.
Scary. Real scary.
-- Posted by Dr. Gonzo on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, 7:11 am EST

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