Parking lots and the elderly

I was in a parking lot looking for a space and out of the corner of my eye I saw something coming at me. Turns out it was a little car backing into me and I had to lay the bike down at the last second. The elderly guy admitted he was only using his driver's side mirror. Fortunately his insurance is going to pay and nobody got hurt.

Lesson I learned: Be aware of those little cars that hide behind the bigger ones, and don't assume they will actually look behind to see where they're backing up.

glad to hear you didnt get hurt and hopefully the bike will be fixed asap.

a guy on the "other" website said it best, when you are in a parking lot your head should look like a sprinkler...... glad you made it out ok.

madmanmaigret said:

a guy on the "other" website said it best, when you are in a parking lot your head should look like a sprinkler...... glad you made it out ok.

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That's a great way to think about it or you end up with one of these...

not just dangerous with bikes they dont see cars or even trains a guy a few years ago here where i live drove into the side of a train.......

08fz6 said:

not just dangerous with bikes they dont see cars or even trains a guy a few years ago here where i live drove into the side of a train.......

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I have nothing against old folks, but maybe they should have to get their eyes checked or have another driver test after a certain age.

aprimiano said:

I was in a parking lot looking for a space and out of the corner of my eye I saw something coming at me. Turns out it was a little car backing into me and I had to lay the bike down at the last second. The elderly guy admitted he was only using his driver's side mirror. Fortunately his insurance is going to pay and nobody got hurt.

Lesson I learned: Be aware of those little cars that hide behind the bigger ones, and don't assume they will actually look behind to see where they're backing up.

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Thats when an upgraded horn louder than the stock one will come in handy, even if the elderly don't have hearing aids. Not sure if you had time to use the horn, but if you had a second or two, it could have saved ya.

I drive trucks and i was talking to another guy that used to drive cross country. He told me that you can actually call the cops and give a plate of elderly folks that are driving inaproprietly and they have to be investigated. If they have set number of investigations they get revoked. I have yet to try this, but if it is true I am sure more people would call on the more dangerous situations. Here in NY all you have to do is get any doctor to give an eye exam and you can mail it in to renew(along with $$). So there is very little done about aging minds/reaction times.

bullofspadez said:

I drive trucks and i was talking to another guy that used to drive cross country. He told me that you can actually call the cops and give a plate of elderly folks that are driving inaproprietly and they have to be investigated. If they have set number of investigations they get revoked.

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There should be a non-emergency number for the cops where you can report that stuff. In Cali you can call 1-800-TELL-CHP. They ask for the county you're in and what the problem is, then if there's a cop available nearby they'll send him out to see what's up.

VEGASRIDER said:

Thats when an upgraded horn louder than the stock one will come in handy, even if the elderly don't have hearing aids. Not sure if you had time to use the horn, but if you had a second or two, it could have saved ya.

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There was no time but it definitely would have come in handy after I got hit... the guy's car just stayed there pinning the bike. Finally he moved forward after I approached his window. What's unbelievable to me is he said he thought he ran over a soda can.

aprimiano said:

There was no time but it definitely would have come in handy after I got hit... the guy's car just stayed there pinning the bike. Finally he moved forward after I approached his window. What's unbelievable to me is he said he thought he ran over a soda can.

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The horn is the most basic and easiest defensive tool available to a rider. It's a shame how many riders don't use it.

Nice to hear you are ok.

Most riders forget to use their horn...how about you??

Its not a critisism, its just a fact.

Steve

aprimiano said:

he thought he ran over a soda can.

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Maybe the DMV should administer audiograms as well...

steveindenmark said:

Nice to hear you are ok.

Most riders forget to use their horn...how about you??

Its not a critisism, its just a fact.

Steve

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Horn and/or high beams when I can foresee a possible problem.

damnpoor said:

Maybe the DMV should administer audiograms as well...

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... second that!