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View Full Version : One Way Streets With Multiple Lanes - Curb Lane Traffic Accident


supertireguy
05-21-2007, 06:45 PM
Witnessed a moderate injury scooter vs car accident near the corner of Geary & Larkin in SF at 3:45pm today.

This section of Geary Street has 3 lanes of westbound one-way only traffic. The right most #3 lane is marked for Bus or Right Turns Only. The left most #1 and right most #3 lane have metered parking during most hours but is marked No Stopping Tow Away from 4pm-6pm for rush hour traffic. The center #2 lane has no restrictions. Traffic can use the left most #3 lane if clear.

Traffic is slowing and stopped for a red light at Larkin. Red car moving slow in the #3 lane makes move thru openings in stopped traffic across #2 and #1 lanes to enter Motel 6 driveway on left side of street.

Along comes scooter travelling in the clear #1 lane at 30mph-ish when the red car crossing lanes enters the #1 lane at an 75 degree angle in order to enter hotel driveway. Scooter driver cannot brake, did not brake in time and did not evade in time. Left front side of car makes contact with scooter knocking driver onto the ground. Scooter driver was wearing open face helmet, tennis shoes and street clothes. Scooter driver was down on the ground close by, conscious but not moving much, bloody chin visible, didn't look horrible, other injuries unknown.

In my analysis I can only say...

#1 Wear a full face helmet and some sort of armored gear.

#2 Be careful jamming down the curb lanes on 3 lane wide one-way stop & go city street traffic because drivers in the center lane might just flip a right or left turn bitch into some driveway or at the next intersection.

#3 Try to spot the shit coming before it happens. Sometimes choosing to jam down that wide open lane when other cars are stopped in traffic looks so good. Be on the lookout for other cars wanting to be in that empty lane too.

elbacalao
05-21-2007, 08:59 PM
Originally posted by supertireguy


#1 Wear a full face helmet and some sort of armored gear.



+ 1. I've seen so many scooter riders wearing nothing but a helmet and business suits. On the freeway even. Hope the rider is ok.

DataDan
05-22-2007, 12:01 PM
The similarity of this to other kinds of crashes really highlights a general rule: when riding in traffic, keep the speed difference down.

One example of a similar crash is the most common lane-splitting crash--when a cage crosses the splitter's path to enter a gap in the adjacent lane. Another example is the "deadly gap" where stopped traffic in a lane adjacent to the motorcyclist opens a gap for a crossing vehicle. In both cases the motorcycle's speed relative to traffic is a key to avoiding a crash.

A lower speed difference in cases like this has two benefits: First, it increases the time the motorcycle spends in the visual field of a driver about to cross the rider's path. Lower speed, greater visibility time, greater probability of being seen. Second, it reduces the distance the rider needs to identify and react to a problem, and it reduces braking distance.

redline
06-11-2007, 05:50 PM
Great observations by all above. Sounds like a painful crash. I wonder if the rider is considered partly at fault? For example, will Insurance claim that he/she was traveling "too fast for conditions" if the other lanes were stopped?

A similar scenario that I hate is when the left turning lane backs up and the other lanes (to the right of the turning lane) are open. Cars just love to jump into the #1 lane from a full stop--especially just when a motorcycle is cruising by in that lane.

Man, it's rough out there!

Climber
06-11-2007, 07:19 PM
+100 on the Delta (difference between your speed and the speed in the lane besides yours)!

It doesn't matter what the speed limit is, if the delta is too high you are in real danger if somebody doesn't see you (common occurance) and comes into your lane with a much slower speed.