Crash avoidance - How would you?

[yamaha fj rider]

Some people get in the car then on the phone, play with the radio, ipod and everything else. Try and stay in front of or behind the cars around you. If the dumb A** is talking/arguing with the woman in the car with him stay far away!!!! 

Kurt     

[axiom-r]

I have commuted for 15+ years in some pretty unpleasant traffic, so I'd like to give my .02.

I always ride in the third of the lane closest to the other cars, because most of the time the dummies don't have their mirrors adjusted to see the lane to the far left and behind. If you can't see their face they can't see you. If you can see their face they can't see you. People in cars are blind and stupid.
Besides the mirror thing, I can get a better look at their steering wheel and turn signal lever. If the wheel turns, guess what? So does the car, and I have two thirds of a lane left to accelerate and swerve around the drone in a cage. There is no need for drama if someone comes in your lane, you should see it coming a mile away.
All of the above is a moot point anyway, and is what I used to do. Now I never ride beside a car. Easy as that. Either enough room to pass, or stay behind until there is room to spend about .01 seconds beside it. Truckers will thank you for this. I have never been thanked by a trucker, but I feel my day is coming.
I don't know what anyone else is doing when they are combat commuting, but I am paying 100% attention to not dying. Whiskey is killing me at just the right pace, thank you!

Good stuff Threkin.

Another reason to stay out of the center of the lane (if the reasons above didn't do it) is because most cars and trucks that leak any fluids - do so from the middle of their width and typically the oil for example would fall onto the center of the lane....that's why the center is darker.   So the center of any lane is generally the slickest area and should be avoided. 

I aim for the lighter strips while in formation with other riders or solo...

tim

[FJmonkey]

[quote author=axiom-r link=topic=6906.msg61443#msg61443 date=
Another reason to stay out of the center of the lane (if the reasons above didn't do it) is because most cars and trucks that leak any fluids - do so from the middle of their width and typically the oil for example would fall onto the center of the lane....that's why the center is darker.   So the center of any lane is generally the slickest area and should be avoided. 

I aim for the lighter strips while in formation with other riders or solo...

tim
[/quote]
If it has not rained in some time, the oil has been building up, the first 30 min (even with traffic to help disapate it) after a rain makes the center a suicide zone. Living the South Westen states teaches this lesson quickly.