8/29/2005: Swedish cycle/car wreck @ 155 MPH

[chronos]

I would point out to the people who assume the motorcyclist is at fault that the original post does not give enough information to make that case. I'm not a motorcycle guy (too much of a pansy) but I know a lot of people who are and typically bike accidents are due to drivers not seeing the biker and taking them out.

There are certainly a ton of idiot cyclist out there but I'm not sure if, as a group, it's fair to say they're worse than drivers.

This picture reminds me of what they tell you when driving in Europe vs. the US. "There are a lot fewer traffic accidents in Europe but a lot more traffic related deaths". Basically, you're pretty much dead if you get in an accident there. That's why their drivers are so well behaved. It's freaky to watch people move out of the way of faster moving vehicles and never hover in the left most lane. Everyone is so polite and they follow the rules. Interestingly enough, hand gestures while driving are illegal in germany and can get you arrested.

[dar512]

Originally Posted by OriginalChronos

I would point out to the people who assume the motorcyclist is at fault that the original post does not give enough information to make that case.

I think the fact that the cyclist was going 155mph is enough to guess that the cyclist was at fault.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by OriginalChronos

I would point out to the people who assume the motorcyclist is at fault that the original post does not give enough information to make that case. I'm not a motorcycle guy (too much of a pansy) but I know a lot of people who are and typically bike accidents are due to drivers not seeing the biker and taking them out.

While it's true that bikes are often taken out by cars, I think that since the bike was going 155 mph, the bike was clearly at fault. This was Sweden, not Germany. Even Germany has a suggested speed limit on the autobahn, and if I recall correctly it is about half the speed this bike was traveling. Also, the accident occurred at an intersection, not on a superhighway. The only way the driver of the car could share the blame would be if he/she ran a red light. Even if the car stopped at a stop sign, and then pulled out in front of the bike, the bike is still 100% at fault because it was going too damn fast.

[chronos]

The autobahn only has speed limits within the city limits. So the point about this happening at an intersection is well taken, they only happen within the city limits.

Outside of the cities they tend to have speed requirements, like if you're going less than 70Kh you need to be in the right most lane. I've gotten up to 130 mph on the autobahn and was still being passed by other cars. It was a great experience. Thrilling yet terrifying.

Jerry