XTREEME
Active Member
I do believe that Arizona has the worst drivers in the country, making Phoenix one of the most dangerous cities to ride in.
My son is in his 3rd year at ASU. He commutes with his SV 650 to classes each day (about 10 mile round trip). He was on his way home yesterday on a double lane main city road when a stupid bitch in a minivan from the oncoming side of traffic decided it would be a good time to turn into a parking lot entrance, by crossing through his lane literally right in front of him (didn't see him???), while he was at a 35 mph cruising speed in his left lane. Problem is, the right side lane was backed up and stopped, blocking the entrance of said minivan, who had to stop directly in his lane in front of him. :angry:
The only thing on my son's side is that he has very quick reflexes and reaction time, being a hockey goalie, and somehow was able to pull down and to the left enough to only have the bike crash into the right rear end of the van, while he grazed the back corner of the van and then went flying through the air toward the oncoming traffic on the other side. I think it would have been a lot worse on him if he had hit the van directly at that speed. As it is, the bike was messed up, with front wheel bent in half, handlebars broken, forks bent, all front end plastics shattered, etc.
Luckily he always wears his full face lid, and padded riding jacket. The helmet was full of road rash and actually cracked, and his jacket got warn down through the padding. He was also wearing his backpack, which somehow got driven over by an oncoming trailer, but missed running over him directly.
His only noticable injuries was a broken ankle and severe roadrash to his kneecap (picture it showing through all layers of skin).
At least the minivan driver admitted full fault to the cops right there on the scene (with many witnesses obviously).
The worst part is that I got the call from him just as I got home to Wisconsin, after being out there with him for the last week. Totally helpless feeling.
But he's doing ok today though, and even crutched his way back into class today for an important exam. He's a tough kid, and very lucky to be alive.
My son is in his 3rd year at ASU. He commutes with his SV 650 to classes each day (about 10 mile round trip). He was on his way home yesterday on a double lane main city road when a stupid bitch in a minivan from the oncoming side of traffic decided it would be a good time to turn into a parking lot entrance, by crossing through his lane literally right in front of him (didn't see him???), while he was at a 35 mph cruising speed in his left lane. Problem is, the right side lane was backed up and stopped, blocking the entrance of said minivan, who had to stop directly in his lane in front of him. :angry:
The only thing on my son's side is that he has very quick reflexes and reaction time, being a hockey goalie, and somehow was able to pull down and to the left enough to only have the bike crash into the right rear end of the van, while he grazed the back corner of the van and then went flying through the air toward the oncoming traffic on the other side. I think it would have been a lot worse on him if he had hit the van directly at that speed. As it is, the bike was messed up, with front wheel bent in half, handlebars broken, forks bent, all front end plastics shattered, etc.
Luckily he always wears his full face lid, and padded riding jacket. The helmet was full of road rash and actually cracked, and his jacket got warn down through the padding. He was also wearing his backpack, which somehow got driven over by an oncoming trailer, but missed running over him directly.
His only noticable injuries was a broken ankle and severe roadrash to his kneecap (picture it showing through all layers of skin).
At least the minivan driver admitted full fault to the cops right there on the scene (with many witnesses obviously).
The worst part is that I got the call from him just as I got home to Wisconsin, after being out there with him for the last week. Totally helpless feeling.
But he's doing ok today though, and even crutched his way back into class today for an important exam. He's a tough kid, and very lucky to be alive.
