Watch for Motorcycles!

A few weeks ago I was riding the SilverWing home from the boring job (not the one at UVSC, but the one that pays the bills) and had a near-death experience. It was after midnight, and the stop light turned green. I twisted the throttle and got about halfway through the intersection when some broad, talking on her cell phone, ran the red light and zipped through the intersection in front of me. I yanked on the brakes and quickly slowed down enough to allow her to go through without smearing the SilverWing and me on the asphalt.

After I made it through the intersection, I turned around and followed her (I know, it's crazy, but it's a reasonably safe thing to do in Orem). Within a few miles, she pulled into a driveway and began to get her stuff out of her car. I parked, got off the bike and pounded her face! No, just kidding! I got out my Palm LifeDrive and navigated to a collage of my four children. I walked up to her, and said:

"I want to show you something."

I held out the LifeDrive, displaying the picture of my children, and said, "These are my four children. Now, back there just now when you were talking on your cell phone..."

"I know, I missed that light."

"Yes, and if there had been one second difference for either of us, my kids could have been without their father."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"I recommend you get off the cell phone and watch for motorcyclists!"

"OK"

"Thank you, good night."

Then I walked away, got on my bike and rode off in to the night. I hope she started crying. I hope she was afraid. I hope she was angry. I hope she had some kind of emotional response, because I certainly did!

Then, just tonight, on the way home, again, someone pulled out in front of me and I had to lay on the horn and swerve to miss them. Again, someone wasn't paying attention.

I ride my "scooter" nearly every day, at least half an hour (about 12 miles per day), and every time I see at least one person do something stupid or illegal while driving and talking on a cell phone. I really just want to take the phone away and spike the stinkin' thing on the pavement! People just don't understand how quickly and easily they could affect so many lives with a single, simple, stupid decision.

The lessons:

1. GET OFF THE PHONE AND DRIVE!
2. Pay attention to your surroundings.
3. Watch for motorcycles!
4. Life is precious, don't be stupid.