Reader comments: Motorcyclist rear-ends car on I-15, ends up in hospital

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Gary S. | 12:48 p.m. Sept. 6, 2008
I have always felt that motorcycles are dangerous and should be used with great caution. One of my best friends rides a motorcycle and his brother was killed on one. I have witnessed some tragic accidents myself. I am surprised that Utah does not require helmets like some other states. Traffic violations should be doubled for motorcycles.
Sheesh! | 1:14 p.m. Sept. 6, 2008
You see all of these bumper stickers telling you to SEE motorcycles. Well, here's an example of a MOTORCYCLIST needing to pay attention. All because of him that section of the freeway was closed for three hours just to clear up the mess he caused. Sheesh.
Jackie K. | 3:49 p.m. Sept. 6, 2008
The guy was wearing a helmet, it just flew off on impact. I was stuck on the freeway and they moved us through the wreck area. There were pieces of the motorcycle all over the freeway. It was horrible.
Comments continue below
Harley Owner | 8:24 p.m. Sept. 6, 2008
The facts are that the majority of motorcycle accidents and deaths are caused by vehicle drivers. However, there are drivers of all types vehicles that don't pay attention.

Don't blame the motorcycle; blame the driver. And, please everyone who is in a car, pay attention to the bikers out there. Next time it could be me or someone I know and love.
To Sheesh | 10:44 p.m. Sept. 6, 2008
The guy is in critical condition and all you care about is that the freeway was closed. Look up the word "compassion" in the dictionary.
to Harley Owner | 11:40 p.m. Sept. 6, 2008
I understand and agree with you that most motorcycle accidents are caused by vehicles other than the motorcylist. But in this case I don't understand how the fault of the accident can be placed anywhere but the motorcylclist. When you rearend someone it is usually because you are not paying attention. Everyone needs to remember that motorized vehicles are dangerous and we need to take more causion and SLOW DOWN. I'm tired of driving the speed limit and getting passed as though I'm standing still.
Anonymous | 11:50 p.m. Sept. 6, 2008
As a rider since I was nineteen (70 tomorrow) I have watched many, especially young riders, who dangerously tailgate in highway traffic. Yes, they can stop faster than cars, but they ride entirely too close...like six feet. I don't know what they are thinking. That is very foolish. However, car drivers are very inattentive. They have looked me dead in the eye and pulled out in front of me. Luckily (not skillfully) I have survived all these years with no broken bones or any serious incidents. The worst has been a few skinned up places. If I begin thinking I too skilled to get hurt, I probably will be.
To anonymous | 6:16 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
As a rider for 58 years, I would like to tell anonymous that when he was young, it was true that motorcycles could stop faster that cars, but it is no longer true. The old cars were much heavyer, some reaching 6,000 lbs and they had brake pads which pressed against a brake drum. Also, they were built higher off the ground to avoid ruts and chuck holes frequently incountered on the old 2 lane paved and unpaved roads. The new cars are much lighter using alloys and fiberglass in construction, built much closer to the road providing a much lower center of gravity, and have disk brakes which provide a much greater resistance to motion resulting in much faster stopping. It is true that motorcycles also have disk brakes now, but they have a much higher center of gravity, and with only two wheels on the road their momentum is very difficult to stop quickly. I would recommend that any rider be schooled in laying the bike down on an angle designed to take the bike off the road, and if possible hop on top of it while it is going down. It can save your life.
Sold My Motor Cycle | 10:38 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
I had a motor cycle for 1 year then I sold it. During that time I had two close calls. They and my mothers concern convince me that it just wasn't worth it.

Its fun, but not as fun as not being in a wheel chair.
Hayley Finch | 9:39 a.m. Sept. 9, 2008
I just want to send my blessing to all his family... I also want to let them know what a remarkable person he has been in my life and I will continue to pray

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