Recent fatality during toy run - how to prevent this in the future

[juha_teuvonnen]

There was a recent fatality in Seaside, during the toy run. A civilian blocked the highway onramp with his motorcycle. The goal was to prevent a car from accelerating and slamming into the group of motorcyclists. While he succeeded in accomplishing the goal, he lost his life when an inattentive driver slammed into him.

I am not trying to assign blame or do anything of that nature. I just want to figure out how these accidents can be prevented in the future. One thing that comes to mind is using pickup trucks with big flashing yellow lights for temporarily blocking the traffic. The same kinds of trucks that are used during road work and also for escorting oversize loads on the freeway. A large group of motorcyclists is similar to an oversize load - it's big relatively slow moving.

Any thoughts on the legality of this practice?

[blackOnblack]

I read about this a few days back (i used to work in seaside, and know where that happened). it's sad this happened around the holidays... especially to a nice guy (from what i've read).

but, the fact is "civilians" can't make themselves out to be traffic cops... so there isn't much that can be done... atleast from what I know.

Anyone else want to que in?

[Razel]

First question to ask, I think, is whether or not it's even legal to block traffic for a large group you're trying to keep together. While it's not exactly the same thing, stunters will provide a rolling roadblock so the camera can capture the stunts on the street without having to deal with other vehicles going by them. Folks inconvienenced don't appreciate it...
Flashing lights are a no-no unless you specifically meet the requirements in the CVC, so a pickup truck with flashing lights would be illegal. Oversized loads are specifically addressed in the code.

Other than getting permits up front first, I don't believe there's a way to be/have a road guard.

[motorman4life]

Get a permit for your event and arrange for CHP and local cops to perform traffic control. If you can't get their help, you need to get someone close to the County Supervisors or Sheriff's Office and they can put the pressure needed to make it happen. If the Sheriff requests traffic control from the CHP, it will get done.

I have participated in many, many charity events (both on and off duty) that had traffic control. It is safer for everyone involved.

[enki]

Sorry, but I don't think these things should even be allowed. All it does is piss off the public about motorcycles. How about everyone just rides to the event and follows the rules?

[T-1 Thunder]

In the Marines bootcamp, we'd have a few guys run ahead and block the road, and a few guys trail behind, too. While the platoon marched through. The "guards" stood their position saying "fuck you" to cars and such while we passed safely. I imagine the real danger exists there, too, as much as the bike.

don't blame the procedure, it's been well-thought out by our government to begin with.

Blame the fuckhead bitchbrain retard behind the wheel of the assfaced mankilling shithead machine. God damn bozos on the streets, with money to spend and cellphone calls to make. Eat fuck...Grrrrr.

[Toecutter]

You should break up your BIG group into smaller more manageable sub-groups or chalks. Assign a leader and trail for each smaller group and space out the groups by 10 or 15 minutes . Obey the traffic laws and you should not have any problem with "trying to keep up". Just stay in your smaller group, say 5 to 15 bikes. It is safer for everyone, & cagers wont get pissed off by having traffic blocked for 150 bikes at every intercestion.

I have seen it work on a large ride before. 50+ bikes into 3 groups.

[-Baker-]

These happen more so with clubs and their so-called road captains....there are so many times I have seen road captains almost get hit by other riders or cars when they stop at the intersection.

There will be more riders who do this as groups/clubs are popping up everywhere and will pay the price....what will be the riders name on that incident report or news report?

[ThinkFast]

I just want to figure out how these accidents can be prevented in the future.

Well - one approach would be to, um, not stop your motorcycle in the middle of a freeway onramp. :nerd

I read about this a few days ago, and then took a google earth trip to the scene to see where this guy parked himself and got cleaned up. Now you can certainly argue that the driver should have seen him, no doubt about that. OTOH, why the f*** would you park a motorcycle at the top of a high-speed freeway onramp and expect people to a) see you; and b) stop?

Sorry - on this I rule in favor of the driver. The biker genepool gets weeded out periodically by stuff like this. Common sense ain't all that common.

[motorman4life]

Blame the fuckhead bitchbrain retard behind the wheel of the assfaced mankilling shithead machine. God damn bozos on the streets, with money to spend and cellphone calls to make. Eat fuck...Grrrrr.:wtf What is wrong with you? "Eat fuck?" Jesus man, get some therapy.

[ThinkFast]

:wtf What is wrong with you? "Eat fuck?" Jesus man, get some therapy.

+1

[Johndicezx9]

...The biker genepool gets weeded out periodically by stuff like this.

You need to think faster, especially before you type.:mad

It was an unfortunate situation, sadly Richard (the rider) felt the need to protect other riders doing something for a good cause.

Sadly, the woman felt the need to rush to be in front of the pack of motorcycles.

I feel bad for both, but one has the "luxury" of living with guilt, and I know that can be worse.

[ThinkFast]

You need to think faster, especially before you type.:mad

It was an unfortunate situation, sadly Richard (the rider) felt the need to protect other riders doing something for a good cause.

Sadly, the woman felt the need to rush to be in front of the pack of motorcycles.

I feel bad for both, but one has the "luxury" of living with guilt, and I know that can be worse.

Did not mean to enrage you or anyone by my comments. I agree with you - it is most definitely a most unfortunate situation with a tragic outcome. While Richard's intent was most likely positive - he was trying to help - reality stepped in. Good intentions unalloyed with clear thinking can result in bad outcomes.

I've been on many group runs - some using blockers at intersections, some not. It's a sketchy practice at best, and I've seen a couple near-misses. I am hoping that others who go on big group runs will learn from this - that's why I said what I did (maybe I could've have said it with a bit more regard to people's feelings who were there, or otherwise felt connected to it).

[T-1 Thunder]

:wtf What is wrong with you? "Eat fuck?" Jesus man, get some therapy.

Sorry. I got very serious personal issues with dangerous drivers on the road.
I may not be alive as long as I wanted to because of dangerous drivers.
I endure greater pain, everday - than most people in their life. All from the damn accident.

So forgive my mouth - but I have a damn right to be livid.

[}Dragon{]

:wtf What is wrong with you? "Eat fuck?" Jesus man, get some therapy.

5149.75:rofl

----

Boys and girls: No matter how many flashy lights, cool uniforms or how many bikes (cops or road captains) block a road;

It is NEVER a good idea to play on the freeway.:|

[-Baker-]

Sorry. I got very serious personal issues with dangerous drivers on the road.
I may not be alive as long as I wanted to because of dangerous drivers.
I endure greater pain, everday - than most people in their life. All from the damn accident.

So forgive my mouth - but I have a damn right to be livid.


I'm with ya in a sense....just not so upset or verbal. I acknowledge the dildoes behind the wheel of a cager using a cell phone but theres nothing I can do about it. BUT you better believe if I see some Dil driving and on a cell phone who gets into an accident you better believe I will be a witness for the other party!!! lol

For now I just rev my shit next to their window to quickly jestur my hand to my head like I am on a cell phone. They tend to look at me with this Dil like face.... :wow and carry on....

[RolnCode3]

If I understand this thread, properly, this is my understanding -

A rider was blocking an onramp during a toy run. Not a CHP or police officer.
They had no authority to do so.
They got run over.

The question is how to prevent this.

But getting a permit and having agencies provide traffic control is not considered an acceptable option.

Is that about right?

I'm not going to critique, but I want to make sure I understand.

[enki]

To be more clear. Just don't do these runs. I've talked to the CHP in Yakville, and they don't approve of these things AT ALL. In fact, unless a city specifically approves a funeral run, the CHP opposes them. Down here, we had two funeral escorts crash into one another. One died, and the other fled the scene.

What's with the funeral escort anyway? Is the dead guy in a hurry?

[Razel]

If I understand this thread, properly, this is my understanding -

A rider was blocking an onramp during a toy run. Not a CHP or police officer.
They had no authority to do so.
They got run over.

The question is how to prevent this.

But getting a permit and having agencies provide traffic control is not considered an acceptable option.

Is that about right?

I'm not going to critique, but I want to make sure I understand.Pretty much, adding that the toy drive in this case is overall sponsored by the Hells Angels, and having agency support is perceived as unavailable for that reason.

[RolnCode3]

Pretty much, adding that the toy drive in this case is overall sponsored by the Hells Angels, and having agency support is perceived as unavailable for that reason.
OK, thanks.

[CHICKenstrip]

It's a sad situation all around, the fatality. In regards to getting law enforcement escort, I'm thinking it wouldn't even so much be that HA was sponsoring the run, as the liability the CHP or local PD would take on by becoming a part of it. I don't imagine there'd be many "unofficial" rides like that they'd put themselves in a position to be sued over. I'm trying to remember if they escorted Sac to the Bay, though...they may have.

As for this particular case, didn't someone say that the geography of the on-ramp would have made it difficult for the driver to see the motorcyclist until the peak of the ramp, and by that time, the speed one builds up to enter the freeway would make it hard to stop without colliding?