Analysis - Hard Braking Incident

[1/2%er]

I just recently had a hard braking incident.  I am doing a bit of self analysis here, and welcome any other thoughts.  The below of course happened much faster than what I can put into words.


I was traveling in moderately heavy morning commuter traffic on a two lane road.  The road connects two large towns/small cities.

The road is unfortunately littered with both private drives and business drives.  Speed limit is 50-55 MPH depending upon the section dropping down to 45 MPH when you are close to either city.

I was approximately midway between the cities following a car with somewhere between a 1 and 2 second gap  the car behind was MUCH closer.  A car in the oncoming lane was stopped and waiting for a gap in traffic.  He pulled out directly into the path of the car I was following (There was a rise in the road which prevented perfect visibility for either car).  Car in front of me does slam on brakes because I remember seeing the lights,  but hit the left turning car after the car had pulled about 2/3 across (hit back of back door and trunk.  

I began to apply brakes quite firmly.  At the same time I checked my rear view mirrors, pulled in the clutch and dropped down a couple of gears (6th to fourth).  

I could tell the car behind me was braking but was also catching up to me fast!  Letting off the brake would send me into the crash going on in front of me and not letting off the brake would make me a hood ornament at best, and a sandwich at worst.

Oncoming traffic was stopping if not already at a standstill, so I let off the brake and dove left aiming for a gap created by the crash and oncoming traffic avoiding the crash.   I started reapplying the brake and could have come to a stop abreast of the crash scene, but instead just slowed to 10-15 and slipped through the gap and back to the empty lane beyond the crash.

Thoughts:

1. I should have made up for the tailgaters lack of space by making more space up front.  Incidently the car behind me did manage to stop before the crash, but there was little more than a car length between them.

2. I was proud of my initial reaction.  I have made it a habit - or muscle memory reaction - to check my mirror EVERY time I brake whether it is hard braking or just coming up on a red light.  The gear dropping was from parking lot drills - that a I still do after 24 years of riding.

3. I am not sure how much of my diving left and getting around the crash had to do with actually measuring up the incident and reacting appropriately (as I described) or was just an avoidance of the primary incident mixed with a little luck that the left was free.  I probably could not have dived right as that would have been across the whole lane and into the incident itself.  Post incident I believed I thought through the decisions - but recognized the reactions were largely faster than normal processing.

4. I was lucky.  Now, I do not believe in dumb luck, I believe in smart luck.  Training, and proper habits helped me to react the correct way, and I was lucky lots of other small things did not go wrong that could have made me involved in the crash such as the driver behind me being even closer at the start, car directly ahead of me did not get pushed way out to the left cutting off that egress, clear road (no oil, debris, etc.)

Thoughts are welcome.  Positive and negative.

[chornbe]

4. I was lucky.  Now, I do not believe in dumb luck, I believe in smart luck.  Training, and proper habits helped me to react the correct way, and I was lucky lots of other small things did not go wrong that could have made me involved in the crash such as the driver behind me being even closer at the start, car directly ahead of me did not get pushed way out to the left cutting off that egress, clear road (no oil, debris, etc.)

 

[mlinkibikr]

I think your analysis was spot on. Yes - if you are bing tailgated you should slow down a bit to increase the gap in front.  But your situational awareness saved your bacon. Good job!

[bomber]

+1 on smart luck -- sounds to me like you did the best you could given the situation -- and your best was just fine!

In many areas, including my general neighborhood, if you increase the amount of space in front of you, said space fills instantly with other vehicles . . . . . I know that might not necessarily be the case in your scenario, but, sometimes, following the "rules" or guidelines simply isn't practical.

Well done, and huzzah for being able to ask the question!

[1/2%er]

In many areas, including my general neighborhood, if you increase the amount of space in front of you, said space fills instantly with other vehicles

AGREE! You might have noticed  I said the road is littered with drives.  Leave too much space and someone is going to try and use it to get on the road.  I do try to be judicious with space but it's a losing battle when everyone else does not give a crap.

[Dan K]

Sounds about right - you handled it as well as could be expected and most importantly kept the rubber side down with no impacts.  Sounds like you are second guessing yourself just to be sure, but it sounds like you did good.  I never enjoy those close calls, and wonder whether I was smart lucky or just saved by dumb luck.  Smart luck every time.  (Tho dumb luck aint so bad either...)

- Dan

[Rusty the Scoob]

Sounds like you handled it perfectly to me, you had some luck on your side and made the most of it.  Nice work!

[antvq]

Post incident I believed I thought through the decisions - but recognized the reactions were largely faster than normal processing.

Don't sell yourself short.  I have found in any situation that requires that panicked "oh shit I'm about to die" thinking, that your brain can keep up just fine.

Good job on seeing the available avenue of escape and having the skills to take it.  

[OrangeSVS]

I'd say it's just about text book.

One thing I would suggest considering though is a "war mode". You feel like you're being squeezed into a tight spot, immediately drop a couple of gears ahead of time. I don't like 6th gear in tight spots, ever.

It's exactly these situations why I prefer 2-finger braking exclusively.... In your position it was fine to keep on the throttle while riding down the highway... (I mean who can really slow down for EVERYTHING that could POSSIBLY happen? If we did that, we'd just be parked on the side of the road all of the time...), but at the same time, being able to cover the brakes is huge.

[1/2%er]

I'd say it's just about text book.

One thing I would suggest considering though is a "war mode". You feel like you're being squeezed into a tight spot, immediately drop a couple of gears ahead of time. I don't like 6th gear in tight spots, ever.

It's exactly these situations why I prefer 2-finger braking exclusively.... In your position it was fine to keep on the throttle while riding down the highway... (I mean who can really slow down for EVERYTHING that could POSSIBLY happen? If we did that, we'd just be parked on the side of the road all of the time...), but at the same time, being able to cover the brakes is huge.

I was probably actually in fifth.  I never check the gear indicator, I check my revs- I was in top gear for that road, and upon reflection I can not remember ever being in 6th on that road so fifth was probably the top gear.  (Not that - that makes a huge difference).

I do two finger the brake in most situations (keep two fingers on brakes at all times).  I was doing so here.  

[scottzilla]

You went for the escape route.  Nothing wrong with that!

[Espada]

Your story serves as a fine example of what smart riding can do for you when the brown stuff hits the fan.  I wish you continued safe travels  

[thatguy]

Sounds like a pucker moment. However good habits and sound riding kept it at that. Good job. Funny how scary stuff that happens very fast burns itself into memory so well the recall is total.

[fastdadio]

Taking this down to the basics. Target fixation. You didn't do it! You found your escape, executed the manouver, and pulled it off. Glad we get to read your story today. Hug and kiss your babies babies tonight.

[JNUNZMAN]

Your body reacted by doing exactly what it needed to do to save your bacon. Good job....
We can all look back at pucker moments to see if the reaction was "spot on" or needed room for improvement.
I had a deer run out of the woods on Sunday in "panic mode" and spotted it just as it exited the forest ahead of me and to my right which then led to 70 feet of field. Looking back, I instinctively was on the brakes as soon as I saw the deer come out of the woods. I knew that by the way she was running that she would continue at full speed and cross in front of me. She did. My instinctive reaction saved me from a "venison incident", much like your reaction saved yours by doing the right thing subconsciously.
Little things that we do like riding with your fingers on the brake lever, covering the clutch with a few fingers save a moment or two which translates to a quicker reaction and more pavement to do it in.

[Kneescrubber]

Taking this down to the basics. Target fixation. You didn't do it! You found your escape, executed the manouver, and pulled it off. Glad we get to read your story today. Hug and kiss your babies babies tonight.

Bingo! One of the hardest things to not do. You did great.

[Snowbird]

You're one lucky guy. Not for the incident, but because the STN riding whizzes are not critiquing your every move.... yet. 

[chornbe]

You're one lucky guy. Not for the incident, but because the STN riding whizzes are not critiquing your every move.... yet. 

he didn't die

he didn't "lay 'er down"

he kept a cool head

he wins

[riverbound51]

Sounds like you did exactly what you should do.  Avoided the accident, removed yourself from the potential problem behind you as well.

If I am reading your post correctly.  In Motor School, we practiced this exact manuever for exactly what you just posted.  It's called the "40 decel" in which you reduce your speed in a very short distance and then ride away from or around the problem, rather than stopping and possibly getting hit from behind!

[boogeyman]

Well, you coulda kicked a mirror off on the way by the crashed cars, if you'd been thinking a little faster.  But, all in all, not to shabby.

[Biking Sailor]

Well, you coulda kicked a mirror off on the way by the crashed cars, if you'd been thinking a little faster.  But, all in all, not to shabby.

I'm just impressed he could throw BB's that far in front of him!

[TuffguyF4i]

You could not have put better into words, why i do NOT commute on my bike.  

Ever notice how many of the close call stories on here, are on my way to work?  I'm sure that has alot to do with the frequency of that ride and miles traveled, but you are dealing with sleepy/aggressive/pissed off people on their way to work.  Not a fun ride for sure.

Take it for what its worth, but i don't see the point in riding to work unless you have a fun ride.  

[rgbeard]

You could not have put better into words, why i do NOT commute on my bike.  

Ever notice how many of the close call stories on here, are on my way to work?  I'm sure that has alot to do with the frequency of that ride and miles traveled, but you are dealing with sleepy/aggressive/pissed off people on their way to work.  Not a fun ride for sure.

Take it for what its worth, but i don't see the point in riding to work unless you have a fun ride.  

Or - if commuting to a particular location (Downtown L.A. as an example) is much more difficult with a car.

Cycle wins, and gets me there at a predictable time.  Car does not.

[fotomoto]

You could not have put better into words, why i do NOT commute on my bike.  

Ever notice how many of the close call stories on here, are on my way to work?  I'm sure that has alot to do with the frequency of that ride and miles traveled, but you are dealing with sleepy/aggressive/pissed off people on their way to work.  Not a fun ride for sure.

Take it for what its worth, but i don't see the point in riding to work unless you have a fun ride.  

Ding, ding, ding.  We have a winner.  Ed, tell him what he's won.  

To the OP:  you did good considering the circumstances.  

[1/2%er]

I've had a handful firm braking over the years I've ridden.  This is the worst (closest call) that I've ever had and the ONLY one I've had while commuting in at LEAST 5-6 years.

Thing is if I only rode when others told me it was a safe time/trip etc.,  I'd never ride.  

Every time I'm one the bike it is a pleasure.   And normally I can get around all the car clusters - whereas in a car I'm stuck in my little place in line.

Besides I think commuting in addition to pleasure riding trips/weekend jaunts - adds up to make me a more well-rounded rider.  

[bomber]

Every time I'm one the bike it is a pleasure.   And normally I can get around all the car clusters - whereas in a car I'm stuck in my little place in line.

Besides I think commuting in addition to pleasure riding trips/weekend jaunts - adds up to make me a more well-rounded rider.  

I agree with this sentiment entirely --

[Yankee Dog]

You could not have put better into words, why i do NOT commute on my bike.  

Ever notice how many of the close call stories on here, are on my way to work?  I'm sure that has alot to do with the frequency of that ride and miles traveled, but you are dealing with sleepy/aggressive/pissed off people on their way to work.  Not a fun ride for sure.

Take it for what its worth, but i don't see the point in riding to work unless you have a fun ride.  

my communte is straight down the freeway for about 15 miles.  It is a heck of a lot more fun on the bike than in the cage.  

just sayin ya kno

Yankee Dog

[napper]

You could not have put better into words, why i do NOT commute on my bike.  

Ever notice how many of the close call stories on here, are on my way to work?  I'm sure that has alot to do with the frequency of that ride and miles traveled, but you are dealing with sleepy/aggressive/pissed off people on their way to work.  Not a fun ride for sure.

Take it for what its worth, but i don't see the point in riding to work unless you have a fun ride.  

My motorcycle is toy, not a real form of transportation.

FTFY.  

[theWolfTamer]

FTFY.  

 

[Explorer]

 

[STJoe]

Funny how in retrospec the surreal sense that it seemed to happen in slow motion, when in fact the brakes, shift, and mirror check was an instinctive response, as the mind sorted through the options and chose the correct course in split second.   Had you been less experienced, or riding closer to the car in front of you, it might have been a good deal more than a "Hard Braking Incident".  

Well done.      

[fotomoto]

Funny how in retrospec the surreal sense that it seemed to happen in slow motion, when in fact the brakes, shift, and mirror check was an instinctive response, as the mind sorted through the options and chose the correct course in split second.      

Click on the "listen to" button as it's more in depth than the written copy on this link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129112147

[Mr Sunshine]

Welcome to my time on the track...hard braking once every 1:40seconds.

[coho]

Welcome to my time on the track...hard braking once every 1:40seconds.

I see squids doing something like that on 15th in Ballard every couple days.  Except it's more like 1.4 seconds from light to light.  


To the OP:  

[TuffguyF4i]

FTFY.  

Whats the point?  My motorcycle(s) are a toys and not a form of real transportation.  So what?  I still log 30k/yr...those miles are spent in beautiful places on awesome rides.  

In my opinion, commuting on the bike is not a value added prop.  Clearly, some differ and thats cool...my way is not the only way, just like yours isn't either.

[chornbe]

You could not have put better into words, why i do NOT commute on my bike.  

Ever notice how many of the close call stories on here, are on my way to work?  I'm sure that has alot to do with the frequency of that ride and miles traveled, but you are dealing with sleepy/aggressive/pissed off people on their way to work.  Not a fun ride for sure.

Take it for what its worth, but i don't see the point in riding to work unless you have a fun ride.  

Meh, I dunno... a varied-style commute could really help to hone certain skills, if you survive it any length of time.

Someone who deals with traffic is likely going to have a pretty good rapport with his machine; gear selection, rapid gear shifts, intuitive throttle control, multitasking his Looking, mirror and head checks, etc.

Someone who deals with multiple season commuting, or a volatile climate is likely to have a decent understanding of weather, its affect on traffic patters, varying road surfaces and tire grip, etc. He probably has a clear understanding of maximizing temperature regulation, and balancing comfort and "bulk" of layering, etc.

Someone who deals with a lot of start/stop/start driving is likely someone who has learned to maximize his efficiencies in routine maintenance of the machine, as start/stop driving tends to beat up a machine pretty well.

Someone who commutes across various types of roads and terrain, from city to "country" driving is probably someone who sees a little bit of everything, and has developed a pretty clear head for "uh oh" moments, reading traffic patterns, finding "the zone", etc.

Whats the point?  My motorcycle(s) are a toys and not a form of real transportation.  So what?  I still log 30k/yr...those miles are spent in beautiful places on awesome rides.  

In my opinion, commuting on the bike is not a value added prop.  Clearly, some differ and thats cool...my way is not the only way, just like yours isn't either.

The nerve of you suggesting there are more ways than just one to look at a situation!

[napper]

Meh, I dunno... a varied-style commute could really help to hone certain skills, if you survive it any length of time.

Someone who deals with traffic is likely going to have a pretty good rapport with his machine; gear selection, rapid gear shifts, intuitive throttle control, multitasking his Looking, mirror and head checks, etc.

Someone who deals with multiple season commuting, or a volatile climate is likely to have a decent understanding of weather, its affect on traffic patters, varying road surfaces and tire grip, etc. He probably has a clear understanding of maximizing temperature regulation, and balancing comfort and "bulk" of layering, etc.

Someone who deals with a lot of start/stop/start driving is likely someone who has learned to maximize his efficiencies in routine maintenance of the machine, as start/stop driving tends to beat up a machine pretty well.

Someone who commutes across various types of roads and terrain, from city to "country" driving is probably someone who sees a little bit of everything, and has developed a pretty clear head for "uh oh" moments, reading traffic patterns, finding "the zone", etc.





The nerve of you suggesting there are more ways than just one to look at a situation!

If you can achieve that, anything else is just gravy.

[jay547]

i had a hard braking incident this morning also. i was on a three-lane, northbound heading to work at about 40 mph. two lanes went straight with the right lane turning to a highway ramp. i was in the middle lane and about to change to the right lane. there were two cars in front of me - not signaling, not braking. i signaled, checked the mirror, then glanced back to make sure it was clear. when i looked back forward, the two cars in front of me had suddenly slowed to about 20 mph to also change lanes. i immediately (panic) grabbed a handful of front brake and it momentarily locked up - i heard the tire squeal. i let off a little and slowed safely. i've been riding off and on since 1973 and this was the first time i'd ever locked up the front brake on a street bike.

[JJones-lg]

Braking to a stop and counting on the guy behind you is asking for trouble. I'm always looking for the escape route with equal priority. I've had to use an escape route several times in heavy traffic.  Just last week I'm riding to work and see brake lights ahead.  I'm in the left lane and  looked down the road to see what appeared to be brake smoke and a car on the shoulder.  The Nissan Titan in front of me locked up his brakes about time I was grabbing mine.  I grabbed a bit too much rear brake and the back end stepped out as I dived for the shoulder.  Wouldn't ya know it so did he and I thought I was a goner.  I squeezed as close to the k-rail as I could and slipped though.  Needless to say I'm paying more attention to my following distance and adjusted accordingly.    

jj  

[Dan K]

I've learned more about my bike and riding from my 48 mile round trip commute to down town Chicago than any class.  

But I will say that if my ride home was no fun, I'd likely take the cage (there's no hope for the ride in).  I have a decent car that I enjoy driving, with lots of bells and whistles and a great stereo to keep me entertained. I don't need to ride, I just prefer to.  Way better gas mileage too. Getting ready to leave work now. Friday nights, ride home is a crap shoot for some of the way, but I'm looking forward to it!

- Dan