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Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 | 6:51 a.m.
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UPDATED STORY: Motorcyclist killed in crash was a fire captain
A 46-year-old man is dead after an accident that happened near Centennial Road and Aliante Parkway in North Las Vegas, according to police reports.
The accident happened Friday around 8:45 p.m. when the man was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle south on Aliante Parkway.
When the motorcyclist proceeded through the intersection at Centennial Road, it was struck by a 2001 Chevrolet Impala, driven by a 65-year-old Las Vegas resident traveling westbound on Centennial. The motorcyclist was transported to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the report.
Witnesses say the driver of the Impala failed to stop at a red light, according to police. The report says the motorcyclist doesn't appear to be at fault.
Police suspect prescription medication may have been a factor, a report indicated. The driver of the Impala is not under arrest at this time but could face charges, police say.
This is the second fatal accident this year in North Las Vegas.
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Yet another of endless tragedies that result from driving motorcycles. I know too many people who have perished, been permanently maimed, or otherwise seriously injured after driving motorcycles - regardless of who is at fault. From a physics perspective, the machine is inherently unstable. Think twice before riding one if you value your life.
Pravica, I value my life and love to ride a motorcycle. However I fear for my life every time I ride. This city has some of the most atrocious drivers I've ever seen. No signals when changing lanes, not even a glance to see if the lane is clear. Speeding, running red lights, distracted drivers on the phone, or worse texting. Instead of thinking twice before riding, I challenge all the drivers to think twice about their driving habits. Be aware of bikers, we have as much a right to be on the road as you. You're right about one thing, by the sheer physics of it an automobile is going to win against a motorcycle almost every time. Maybe drivers should take into consideration they are driving a potential lethal weapon every time they get behind the wheel.
THAT'S SAD I WAS DRIVING BY AND SAW IT,BUT LIKE OTHERS, I DID'NT WANNA STOP SINCE I'M NOT A DR. OR NURSE?..I JUST SENT THEM A PRAYER BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS OUR TURN:(..MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY...AND YES THERE ARE THE WORST DRIVERS OUT THERE,,,,PROBABLY BECAUSE WE COME FROM DIFFERENT STATES? DIFFERENT LAWS?..OR JUST WE'RE SO IN A SUCH A RUSH!!!
Come on, I am pretty sure that driving while impaired by medication and even running a red light are illegal everywhere.
Just another example of someone who doesn't give a damn about themselves or others on the road. Condolences to the family & friends of the rider and prison to the impaired driver.
He was my Brother. He was an amazing Son.. Brother.. Father.. Firefighter and Friend. He ate at Luckys with his crew after shifts got a glass of ice to go with his orange juice. He was kind and everyones friend. I hope she rots in Hell. The loss she has caused is inmeasurable.
motorcycles should be banned
Drunk drivers and or impaired drivers should be sent to prison.They should be banned from ever being able to operate any motorized vehicle for EVER.
Pravica and mred you're probably far left liberals so why not just keep quiet and let the rest of us freedom loving people enjoy our lives the way we want to and if we get get killed doing it it's really none of your business to tell me what I can or shouldn't do so just shut up.
mred, why ban a fuel efficient vehicle? Most motorcycle can get upwards of fifty miles to the gallon. I enjoy riding and try to be aware of threats on the road. This city is setup for disaster with all of the long straight roads people are too tempted to build up speed and not slow down or stop for intersections.
Yodiracer:
Why don't you chill out and learn how to debate. I'm asking people to think about the stupidity of driving a motorcycle when the conditions in this city are so barbaric that driving a motorcycle (even if they are truly skilled/experienced at it which is actually quite rare) because they are really putting their life in their hands. As a "freedom loving" American, I do have Christian concern for my fellow "freedom loving Americans." And, if you really want freedom, why don't you bicycle instead of being a slave to some machine to toot you across town? On top of that, the health costs incurred by the injured and maimed "freedom lovers" who end up in the ICU with inadequate insurance end up getting absorbed by the rest of the "freedom loving" public often become quite burdensome.
seriously PRAVICA....get a life. did you not notice that this person died due to another person being an idoit on the road. if you ever look up the facts 95% of motorcycle accidents are not the motorcycle operators fault. matter of fact people who drive motorcycles are better drivers then people who drive their cars due to the fact that now at days drivers are using their cells phones, texting, using emails, eating and drinking, changing the radio station, reading maps or just reading while driving...i have yet come to find a person who can do all those dangerous things while riding their bike.
you see all this little mopeds and bicycles running around on the streets how is that any safer. not only that but remember you can get killed by just sitting at bus stop here in vegas...happens all the time.
we have the same right to be on the road as any other vehicle out there.
and what the heck does the health care have to do with any of this...that's totally a different subject in itself.
The motorcycle debate is one that will go on through the ages. As a rider, I do understand the freedom that a motorcycle gives you. As a driver, I do apreciate my car when I am driving it. accident do happen and if it is between a car an a motorcycle, we all know who the looser will be. There are bad drivers and bad riders out there. So lets just agree to look out for one another. Now.....Lets get rid of those darn scooters out there (how about that?) riding w/o a helmet at 45mph in the left lane. lets put a ban on those air head!!!!
Another Senior driving under the influence of prescription meds and killing someone.
Take away the license of old people when the meds get prescribed. My mom used to have siezures and they nabbed her license for fifteen years. It is time people on meds get treated like DUI's because they are driving impaired.
i've thought about getting another bike many times but there's just too many idiots on the road in this town. and the next person who says to me it's the drivers from california that are the problem i'll punch them in the face. i've lived in socal and it's worse here believe me.
why does every city think they have the worst drivers? I have never been to a city where people say, they have nice drivers. bottom line: motorcycles are inherently dangerous period. I dont really see the risk vs reward balance tipping in the favor of cycles. most of the riders are so fat if a car did not hit them they would have a heart attack
He was an old friend of mine with a big heart. I find it disturbing someone could put ANY of the fault on him for being on a bike, its dangerous to walk down the street too but if people would pay more attention to driving then talking on the phone or texting or a number of other things both bikers & pedestrians alike would be safer. What is needed is much harsher laws to MAKE people think twice, I hope this person rots for what they are puting his family & friends through, I'll miss you bud....RIP.
MAXSWIFE21:
If you read my posting (assuming you CAN READ ENGLISH), you would see that I'm not saying that that the motorcyclist was at fault. The point is that when you drive a motorcycle, you are putting your life in your hands - especially in a city where people won't look out for you and many have little value for human life (including their own). That's simple logic. Bicyclists at least go much slower, ride on the side of the road, and have much more control of their machine knowing just how much effort they need to expend per horsepower. Think, please before your comment.
las vegas does have the worst drivers I've ever seen. I live in washington state and drive in portland and seattle often. The vegas locals drive like its a race track and the tourists drive around lost,like they have their heads up their butt. I've never seen another city where its normal for six or seven cars to go thru an entersection after the light turns red.If ever a city needed red light cameras, it's las vegas.
I guess pravica got his physics degree from Crackerjacks. Motorcycles are more stable the faster they go.
But Vegas has to have the worst drivers in the US. Really a bunch of don't care, cut you off, turn right from the left lane, bunch of jackasses driving here.
I find the comments on this post very disturbing... ban motorcycles because they're dangerous??? Idiotic... what happened here is an impaired driver ran a red light and murdered someone... doesn't matter if he was on a motorcycle, bike, skateboard, walking, sitting at a bus stop or driving another car... it was still murder. In my opinion, if you kill someone, whether it's on purpose or just stupidity (as in this case) you should be prosecuted as a murderer... This man, a Fire Fighter that risked his life every day to save others was murdered and left a son fatherless and it all would have been prevented if this impaired idiot wouldn't have been driving...
It's really bizarre how when all you do is ask that drivers think twice about riding a motorcycle in a very dangerous city and you get bizarre comments by Scott about Motorcycles being more stable at higher speed. Yes, there is more angular momentum in the wheels when they rotate faster which helps resist tipping but when you travel faster, you have to react faster and the exact same issue becomes a nuisance as it becomes harder to rapidly change your angular momentum and thus your direction of travel. MOTORCYCLES ARE PERFECT EXAMPLES OF UNSTABLE EQUILIBRIUM. You give a small perturbation and boom, they fall down. I will have to assume that Scott never got a physics degree.
MANSLAUGHTER...The driver of the auto was guilty of driving while impaired (DWI). The guy failed to stop for a red light also. A person died, why not charge this person. I guess if he had shot him with a gun, there would be no doubt. Do your job Mr. DA.
My year of motorcycle riding as a teen was the scariest year of my life. I remember driving down Victory Drive in Savannah, GA. A 4 lane boulevard with trees and huge azaleas plants in the middle. A car decided to change lanes into mine and it was either let the car hit me or drive into a 8 foot tall azalea. Needless to say, hitting an enormous azaleas bush going 45mph was not a fun experience. Every motorcycle rider has their own stories to tell. Why many keep riding is beyond me.
WoW! How about showing some deceny and more importantly RESPECT to the family who has just lost a member of their family to this awful tragedy. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but there is a time and place for everything and this is not it!!!
Sgoodale, my heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time.
"Pravica" wrote
"bicyclists at least go much slower, ride on the side of the road"
Bicyclists are even bigger targets than motorcycles. Just ask a cyclist. They are smaller than motorcycles, have smaller lights (if any), and don't make noise. All of those things help you see/hear a motorcycle easier than a bicycle. And people pull too far out into the road from driveways/side streets when turning right, usually into the bike lane. Then there are the people who think a bike lane is their own personal 1000 yard right turn lane with no speed limit. And don't forget to add in rocks, holes, storm drains, trash/broken glass, and everything else that ends up on the side of the road for the bicycles to ride through.
Then there is the speed difference between a 3 ton SUV and the little bicycle. No, I don't think bicycles are any safer than my motorcycle. They just have different threats to their safety.
pravica--putting sown someone's intelligence is not debating. many actions are dangerous. I've never seen as many accidents, many drivers that refuse to signal, turning left from the right lane than I have in Las Vegas. A debate is a give and take, just imposing your line of thought on others is not debating. someone lost their life, it's obvious you did not know them or you would show some respect. A story yesterday stated a bicyclist in a cross walk was hit--try to show some human compassion or try to find some friends it's obvious you must not have any or empathy
I would just like to say that it's a tragedy that an accident happened this way, but even more so that people come here to lay blame on anybody they can to try to find some justification for it. This article states that prescription medication may have been a factor, it doesn't say narcotics. It may have been an allergic reaction for all we know. It doesn't sound like it was an intentional act, such as someone talking on the phone or texting. My husband rides a Harley and I ride with him. I'm sorry for the firefighter and his family's loss. I know that everyday my husband takes his bike to work to save on gas, I pray he comes home. Accidents happen whether you are on a motorcycle, walking down the street, driving a car, or riding a bicycle...sometimes it's nobody's fault and sometimes it is. I work in the emergency room and see it everyday. Either way, we should being sending prayers to these families and being thankful that there were not more deaths involved.
Wakeup:
You have completely misread and misunderstood everything I said. Where is there any lack of compassion for the poor fellow who died on the motorcycle? He made a tragic mistake and he paid the ultimate price for it. My sympathies to his family. I know it wasn't his fault! I'm trying to encourage people not to make the same mistake by driving motorcycles here. What's so wrong with that?? If one life is saved because they stop driving motorcycles, my efforts will not be in vain. Yes, there are horrible drivers of SUVs, drunk tourists, and whatnot - that's the reality. Walking, biking, driving, etc. all have huge risks in this out-of-control city. Accept the reality. Where am I putting down someone's intelligence? Where am I lacking compassion? Where am I debating incorrectly? If someone doesn't understand basic principles of physics and calls a Ph.D. in physics from Harvard "crackerjack," I feel compelled to call them on it because that's how people end up driving poorly and misunderstanding the dangers of driving motorcycles. I personally know two people who were killed driving motorcycles - vibrant young men - each 19 years old - who weren't bad drivers but crashed nevertheless. I also know dozens others who have been seriously injured on the motorcycle and I know others who benefited from the organs (heart, e.g.) harvested from bikers who died in accidents. People need to be aware of these tragedies. I'm not finding fault with bikers - I'm just explaining that driving a motorcycle in a city like Las Vegas is a death wish. What's your problem with this?
Pravica read the above post, consider it my answer to your supposed debate, and then do like I originally said. spnkiblnd has it right, you have it way out in left field.
lv2gen:
I never said that driving a bike is not dangerous. Bike or motorcycle are just a decimated with it comes to a collision with a SUV - no difference there except that the bicyclist has more control/ability with his bike than a motorcyclist to exit from the SUV's path by falling to the curb. The bicyclist will also have a far better chance a survival because he/she are moving at a much slower speed. I've biked some 10,000 miles myself and I know and agree with everything you are talk about as far as the horrible disrespect that some drivers show toward cyclists and toward the law. Nevertheless I disagree with you about biking being more dangerous than motorcycling. If you look at the statistics, I think it's pretty obvious that motorcyclists die at a much higher rate than bicyclists nationwide and in Las Vegas.
Yodiracer:
Debate requires honest discussion of issues - not immature name calling ("ultra left liberals") and telling people to "shut up." That's not civilized debate. That's what the mainstream media does and that's destroying this country. As far as I know, America is still the "land of the free" and that means that all Americans have to right to express their point of view. My point of view is that motorcycles, no matter how good the driver, are extremely dangerous machines. They work well on the open and empty road, but are inappropriate in cities like Las Vegas. You do have the right to do foolish things. I'm not saying not to if that's your wish. But I also have the right to encourage people to see reality because I care.
Yodiracer:
One more thing: I completely agree with everything that spnkiblnd said. This just demonstrates that you (and some of the others criticizing my posts) didn't understand anything that I wrote.
People have died while driving scooters, bicycles, cars, trucks, and riding on trains as well as airplanes. Should we ban those too?
pravica:
If you read my posting (assuming you CAN READ ENGLISH),
yes i can read english...why you sitting there trying to critize what i wrote...i stated facts that you should know.
The point is that when you drive a motorcycle, you are putting your life in your hands
do you think that riders don't know that already...you must think we aren't very smart indiviuals. and by the way it's our RIGHT to make these choices.
especially in a city where people won't look out for you and many have little value for human life (including their own).
that's our point right there....if people would just care then we wouldn't be having this problem.
Bicyclists at least go much slower, ride on the side of the road, and have much more control of their machine knowing just how much effort they need to expend per horsepower.
seriously...you really just said this...obviously you don't have very much common sense for the real world.
Think, please before your comment.
and on this comment alone i will state again you really just need to get a life...because you have to much time on your hands at this point
if you feel like it's your mission to try to stop riders from riding just cause you think it's too dangerous...i have to say do it somewhere else cause as riders we are tired of you trying to tell us something we already know.
as for me i'm not wasting anymore time on this subject i have some RIDING TO DO!!
maxswife21:
I don't really know how to respond to your post as, yet again, I see everything going around in circles. Obviously, being concerned about in many cases preventable loss of life is being misconstrued as taking away one's "RIGHT" to ride which is not what I said or even intended to say. I guess that you wouldn't support the warnings on cigarette packs about smoking being deleterious to one's health either. When people insult me and tell me to "get a life" when I actually have quite an interesting one (more than you might care to imagine) and then tell me facts that I already read but somehow thought I wasn't aware of because they misread my post, I have to seriously ask them if they read English properly. This is obviously quite an emotional issue with some people here and as a result, I'm seeing alot of irrational accusations and distortions coming from nowhere.
No, believe it or not, I don't have alot of time on my hands and don't usually post on forums as it appears to be a murky world populated by many (not all of course) anonymous and angry people and I do regret posting anything here. But I have to call a spade and spade and when someone insults me/attacks me, I have to respond and will go the distance to make sure my point of view is at least understood if not accepted. Obviously, I won't be doing this again in the near future.
No, it is not my mission to stop riders from riding. I just think they should be aware of tragic accidents like this one which seem to happen at least monthly if not more frequently here and realize just how precarious driving can be here in Las Vegas. And great if they are already. However, in today's vicious and angry world, just making a comment about the dangers of motorcycling becomes "telling us something we already know." So what? Why don't I have as much right to comment on a public forum as you do? Last time I checked, this was a free country. You don't have to read my comment - you can just ignore it. Not only motorcyclists read the forum but young people who might be thinking about learning to ride a motorbike and, after garnering more information/perspectives, might have second thoughts.
I have absolutely no idea what your criticism of my comments on biking. Perhaps it had to do with control. When you have a combustion engine supplying high horsepower to the relatively light motorbike, a common problem with inexperienced riders is that they overdo the throttle and lose control of the motorcycle. I've seen it happen right in front of me. That obviously doesn't happen with bikes.
Who was it that made the argument that you shouldn't ride a motorcycle because it will lose everytime against a car... so should we ban cars because they will lose against a semi? Or should we ban semis because they will lose against a train? More people die in cars than motorcycles.. so is it a mistake to drive a car Mr. Pravica? How about if people just start following the traffic laws and drive with a little courtesy to others? That would cut down on thousands of traffic deaths per year.
RIP John.. I never met you but have friends that have... I know that you will be missed. My thoughts are with your family and friends during this tragic time.
Pravica - You are a complete moron. You have the audacity to bring up rising health care costs due to motorcycle accidents, which are caused 95% by bad motorists? How does that even make sense? How do you even justify such a rediclous statement? How does one have more control over a bycicle than a motorcycle? I have both and fail to see this. Who are you to tell me where and when to ride my motorcycle!? You need to spend less time trying to rid your beloved city of motorcyles and more time promoting motorists either learning to learn how to properly drive and not murder innocent people with their vehicles, or to take public transportation.
Get a grip
Saying motorcycles should be banned is the height of ignorance. My husband and I ride a motorcycle and I can tell you from years and years of personal experience that it's YOU CAGERS that cause (like someone else mentioned) about 98% of the accidents WE wind up getting seriously injured or killed in. You cut us off CONSTANTLY, most of you NEVER check your rearview mirrors, and most of you ride SO CLOSE behind us it's almost like you're trying to catch a lift on the backseat! I lost a brother in a motorcycle accident many years ago (and no, it wasn't his fault), and I feel for the family of this man. You people have no decency, trashing motorcyclists. We're some of the kindest, most law-abiding, conscientous folks you'll probably ever meet (I'm talking about the majority of us who are not in some outlaw group that you all like to throw us under the same spotlight as).
I witnessed this accident and cant seem to get it out of my head. My heart goes out to the man on the motorcycle and his family. I cant imagine what you are going through, I never met this man but for some reason I cry everyday just thinking about it. That night will forever stay in my memory and the question of why I was a witness to this horrific accident will always be unanswered. I can tell you that several people got out of their cars and rushed to the center of the intersection to possibly help him and for the person that ran the red light, I have no doubt they wish they could re-live that moment as well. It was a moment in time that no one there will ever forget and again my heart goes out to the family of the victim that is no longer with us. In times like this there are no answers only alot of questions of why? So for all the people that feel lashing out on others, please stop, its your opionion only and that opinion is best kept to yourself in times like this. Rest in Peace!
A person is dead, another person has to either live with the fact she is a murderer, or continue to medicate herself our of her guilt, and you people want to take away the rights of the victims...
Pathetic...
Those of you who ride, armor up, and ride safe. Those of you that don't, maybe there is something you will never understand.
Both of you. More government is never the answer.
You should have listened to my original post Pravica but,... debate. Thank You for that. We ride bikes (which have just as much right of way as 4 wheeled - 3 wheeled vehicles). If you want to save a life then start educating yourself about the current laws and help stop the murder of law abiding citizens (cars, bikes, etc.)that are obeying the law, and stop the people who are really causing the loss life by being vocal against the idiots that are really causing deaths. Point in case is this very sad event which happened in our community but also happens everyday across the U.S.A. People are just so self centered and callous nowadays. Thank You for the Debate Pravica. It's been on my mind the last few days. I hope you understand my frustration with this issue. I have been riding for 25 years and have constantly dealt with the lack of knowledge from non riders about motorcyclists rights on the road (Same as every other vehicle). It seems like most people consider us skateboarders to be on the road. I do know there are some idiots on bikes out there but the same goes for cars (Like ten fold more). Let's just keep this issue in perspective and work together to save lives without taking anything away from fun loving law abiding citizens.
Yodiracer:
I completely agree with you. We need better enforcement of laws and better scrutiny of poor drivers to protect fellow citizens regardless of what vehicle they choose to ride. Daily I witness the callousness of people driving Las Vegas roads and this incident has also been bothering me. If more people would obey the laws, this accident might never have occurred. May the deceased person rest in peace.
CrazyPirate:
The person who died might have survived had he been in a car. Trucks should have separate roads (that's why, e.g. they are banned from the fast lane in many cities) away from passenger traffic and their usage should be severely reduced by using rail for cheaper and more efficient transportation of goods between cities.
HDRider:
Regardless of who is at fault, when someone gets in a terrible accident, someone has to pay for treatment which can be enormous (>$50,000/week) and our nation suffers a net loss. Whether or not 95% of accidents involving motorcycles are not the fault of the motorcyclists, I do personally know of a number of accidents that were the result of a mistake made by the motorcyclist as well as the other way around. I've also seen many smaller motorcycles and scooters around town without license plates and probably without insurance (in at least some cases, I know without insurance). For these individuals (often youths joyriding up and down local streets), the motorbike is a cheap and quick method of transportation and thrill. When these individuals suffer an accident and survive, someone has to pay for their rehabilitation. I knew someone who was permanently paralyzed from the waist down riding an ATV. He had insurance but society had a net loss because of his mishap. If these individuals would have taken public transportation (for example), society would have been better off than when they were illegally and legally riding their bikes.
I'm not telling you not to ride your bike. I didn't even say bikes should be banned - that was someone else. But I said that we should weigh the consequences of our actions often which many people around us will have to pay for and/or suffer from for decades to come. Yes, you are taking a risk when you walk, bike, take the bus, drive, and just sit in your home. But the point is to minimize risks.
I've already explained the issue of control and I don't know why it's so difficult to understand. Bicycles go at much lower speeds and thus have reduced (not zero but reduced) issues of reaction time, following distances, blowouts, slippery road surfaces, rapid change of direction, unexpected surges of horsepower for the inexperienced, etc.. You just can't compare going 25mph on a bike on a street to going 65mph on a motorcycle on an expressway. Bicycle cops don't have to go through the kind of stringent training that motorcycle officers go through. Controlling a domestic cat is much easier than taming a heavy lion.
I have written published letters on the issue of getting people to be more cognizant of the rules of the road and aware of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other fellow Americans on the road, so yes, I do try to save lives not by blaming motorcyclists as you have misinterpreted but by recognizing that there are major problems in this city (and others) pertaining to the rude and poor driving habits and skills of many who should never be allowed to drive. I do have a grip on reality but you obviously lost yours in your angry and barbaric post.
pravica, you can stop selling, no ones listening.
Pravica - I am starting to truly understand your frustration. I am getting the impression that maybe you were involved in a motor vehicle accident? Maybe you were involved in a motor vehicle accident where a motorcyclist lost their life? Maybe you were involved in a motor vehicle accident where a motorcyclist lost their life and you were found at fault? But you truly believe that it wasn't your fault. You truly believe that the motorcyclist shouldn't have been there. Now your fighting your cause from behind your computer because you are not allowed to drive. That is quite courageous.
Maybe us motorcyclists should have our own roads just like trucks? That's realistic. Separate roads for separate vehicles. That won't cost the tax payers any money. And you're worried about providing health care for innocent people who are mamed or killed by murderers. That is exactly what you are when you drive an automobile irresponsibly and take others lives into your hands, a murderer. I have had my class A license for 15 years now and will tell you with 100% certainty that truck drivers are the best drivers on the road. Again, at least 90% of all accidents involving a truck are caused by motorists. I have been in several and have never been at fault.
Comparing cats and lions to bicycles and motorcycles? Separate roads for all vehicles? Blaming some who was hit by a bad motorist for rising health costs? You have completely lost touch with reality! Scroll up to the 50 posts above, see a pattern? NO ONE agrees with your absurd comments.
This Thursday is the start of Las Vegas BikeFest, if you are allowed to drive, do me a favor and watch out for me and my fellow bikers. We know how to drive, your turn to learn.
And if you would like the opportunity to continue this debate, why don't you stop being such a coward and head on down to Hogs & Heifers Friday night and tell all us bikers again why it's our fault that you motorists can't remember to check for us when driving. I mean motorcycles have only been on the road for 110 years now, so I know it's still really new.
"Witnesses told police the driver of the Impala failed to stop at a red light".
Pravica, are you trying to convince me that if he was on a bicycle he would have lived...or that this was somehow his fault?
Maybe one day you'll be in an accident like this in your car or on your bicycle. When that happens I dare you to look the other driver in the eye and say. "Sorry, that was my fault".
The driver of the car was obviously in a daze, and didn't see the red light or him. That's not his fault and it's absurd to make it sound like it was because of the vehicle he chose to ride to work. I sure hope his family doesn't read anything you wrote because it's very disrespectful.
I grew up around motorcycles my entire life. I have my license to ride but I don't because I fear for my life because of absent minded auto drivers. I don't want to be killed due to someones lack of awareness or driving skills.
However, some people are willing to take that chance because they love it so much...and that is their choice. Motorcycles and cars have been around hundreds of years, so to suggest that people just stop riding motorcycles is extremely unrealistic...it's like me saying that everyone should stop driving cars and ride motorcycles or bicycles. It's ust not going to happen.
Motorcyclists need to wear DOT helmets and protective gear. It's dangerous out there and auto drivers need to wake up. LISTEN & LOOK for motorcyclists while you are driving. We have shared these roads for decades and will continue to do so drive accordingly.
Check twice...save a life!
Another sad saga of a well meaning, intelligent person trying
to make a reasonable argument on a forum filled with angry
ignoramuses who can't read. Let this be a lesson to you, Pravica.
I've lived here since '68, and yes, the drivers here are atrocious, but
the city streets have been laid out in ragtag piecemeal fashion due to
the explosive growth of Las Vegas. Streets widen and narrow seemingly
at random, intersections do not align, constant construction projects and
work zones etc. It's like driving an obstacle course. The city has always had
to play catchup in street construction with poor planning as a result.
This makes it even more dangerous to drive here, IMO. I myself got scared off
my motorcycle back in '78, certainly wouldn't ride one here in Vegas '09.
I sold my last bike due to the lack of respect by other drivers. I have come to the conclusion that most drivers couldn't care less about their brothers and sisters that ride, It's all about them first! GOD bless his soul.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionar...
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionar...
"Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway."
John Wayne
does anyone know where i can send flowers??? any help would be appreciated.
My friend is dead and I have to read some BS comment from pravica??? If you leave a comment just remember it will hit someone hard. Have you two cents but show a little class and dont debate in this setting. Thank you to everyone with your kind words and respect. John was a great freiend, co-worker, and father. His service will be Friday, Oct 2 10 am @ First Henderson United Church, 609 East Horizon Dr.
dipstick:
If no one's listening, why are you responding??
NTSFF:
I am sorry for your friend and had no intention of provoking the firestorm of irrational and emotional responses. But I would like to prevent another fellow human being from perishing needlessly because of riding a motorcycle. Just a few days ago, yet another motorcycle fatality occurred here. When is it going to stop? I have malice toward no one - not even toward the ones on this forum who don't know how to debate and use insults and irrational arguments when they just don't know how to properly respond. I just want people to be aware of just how dangerous bikes are no matter how good the driver in a dangerous city like Las Vegas.
HDRider:
It's really tragic that some of my fellow Americans have no sense of decency or rationality to debate anything such as yourself. Their view of debating anything with someone who disagrees with their point of view is to insult them and accuse them of imaginary crimes. You are behaving exactly as the mainstream media behave and this doesn't bode well for our "freedom loving" nation. For the record, I haven't had a traffic ticket for over 8 years and have never been involved in a traffic accident involving any injuries. You need to chill out and think about what I said in my earlier posts. Yes, we should have separate lanes of traffic for widely different vehicles. That's the idea of a bike lane. How often do I have to make evasive maneuvers when I see some motorcyclist going between the lanes during rush hour which is incredibly stupid and dangerous. I don't care if truck drivers are the "best drivers" on the road. They damage roads with their weight, spew rocks and unburned hydrocarbons in their wake, and are tremendously inefficient at high speeds. They have also had their share of "at fault" accidents" here in the city and like SUVs there are many blind spots and it is difficult drive them in the very odd streets of Las Vegas. They should only be used for local intracity traffic. Rail transport is the most energy-efficient means of transportation of heavy goods for long distances. With your ridiculous comments, you obviously just didn't understand what I wrote. You should be ashamed of yourself. I'm not a coward (from what??) but you just can't debate ignorance and I don't resolve my issues with force as the pen is mightier than the sword. And, let me repeat as many times as is necessary: I AM NOT BLAMING BIKERS FOR THE DEATH OF ONE OF THEIR OWN. I am only asking that they use this tragedy to think very carefully about whether or not they want to continue riding in a very danerous city.
BTW HDRider:
Were you threatening me in your barbaric post? If so, why don't you give me your real name and address instead of being a coward and hiding behind an anonymous name and we'll proceed accordingly.
MJB:
Thank you for your words of support. It is indeed tragic that our nation is so highly polarized and charged on so many issues that you just can't find any middle ground and debate has been reduced to shouting matches where the most vicious, barbaric, and loudest wins. Debate is an essential requirement for our democracy and the lack of true debate in much of public discourse just doesn't bode well for our future.
Nieka:
No, I'm not trying to convince you of anything since you didn't understand my posts. Everyday when I drive, I see people like the woman who ran the red light and slaughtered the motorcyclist. In fact, in the philosophy of reduced expectations, I expect the worst on the roads whether I drive a truck, SUV, car, bicycle or walk and I've employed all of these forms of transportation here in Las Vegas. But I will never drive a motorcycle.
To HDRider:
Hey waste of space, let me guess you're fat with a beard, bad breath and the only action you get is with a woman of questionable gender. Do you realize what a LOSER you sound like by arguing against Pravica? Why don't you shut your pie hole and realize that the barometer of a free society shouldn't be how much we're allowed to be dumb and risk our lives. Pravica is simply stating the reality of the INHERENT DANGER involved in riding a motorcycle. Hey, if you want to be an ass and feel like a rebel WITHOUT a cause as you play with fire, by all means do so. But this pathetic attempt to feel like a "man" by straddling a machine, designed by someone far more intelligent that you, and squish your balls, doesn't negate the risk. Any honest, somewhat intelligent bike rider admits it's not a matter of IF you'll have an accident, it's a matter of WHEN. And your immature, feeble-minded tripe won't change the facts. Pravica, you've convinced me never to ride a motorcycle. You've done a lot of good and it takes a real man "to suffer ignorance and smile."
boys..get a freakin grip...a person died, lets put the ego's aside and all realise how tragic and unavoidable this accident was!
Krankins
Your comments are meaningless... crawl back under the rock... or go to Hogs and Heifers tonight and look for HDrider I'm sure he could help you sort it all out you...
missyfromcanada,
yes, the name calling and insults are too much. But I would like to "respectfully" point out that this accident was completely avoidable, had the female car driver not been driving while medicated and run the red light. That action was completely avoidable, and that is the real tragedy here. This gentleman lost his life because someone was too selfish or unaware of their own actions. Very sad.
To those who don't like motorcycles:
If the victim was driving a Smart Car or a Toyota Yaris, etc. he was in as much danger as on a motorcycle. To paraphrase from somewhere above, "it's a freaking physics problem". Smaller always loses, whether it is a motorcycle or a very, very small car. And getting slammed by a car that ran a red light can kill you if you are in an Escalade or a Hummer. If he had been driving a car it doesn't mean he wouldn't have died anyway, just would have had a better chance. But I guess it was his fault for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Prayers to his family.
I cant begin to tell you of the shock and pain I felt hearing about Johns accident. I had the pleasure of meeting John, and his son, and spending some time with the two of them when I came to Vegas, for the "ride for Autism" we did last May. John was one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He picked me up from the airport, welcomed me into his home, and offered me one of his motorcycles to ride without hesitation. I got to sit by his pool, and talk with him and play with his son for a few days. I can tell you that the love and dedication to his son, and his son's "cause" was unmatched. His son was his life! John even called me this summer when he heard of the wildfires in British Columbia to make sure that I was OK.
I hadnt known John for very long, but the news of his passing has struck me very hard. I cant seem to shake the thought of that cute kid growing up without his Daddy. Johns son was his world. The absence of John in his son's life will surely be felt immensely. I can only hope that Johns friends and family pick up where John left off. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends...
He will be missed greatly!
~Ride Free Captain~