British biker, 83, is killed in a horror crash in Thailand after car pulls out in front of him

[Spamhead]

4 hours ago, Classic Ray said:

I’m same age as you, had 40 years collision free motorcycling in U.K., but after third non-fault one in Chiang Mai in six months (one drunk rider rear ended, one songtaew sudden lane change, one unlicensed woman on wrong side of road broke my wrist)  decided to stick to Wave for short trips to 7/11, otherwise car. I once did a road trip with Keith, very skilled rider, RIP.

 

Wonder if Chinese woman looked the wrong way as they drive on the right in China.

What a strange comment. If your assertion were correct that would mean she knowingly 

drove out onto a motorway against the flow of traffic.

[pattayahenry]

I have seen video many times, the motorbike did nothing to avoid the crash, not swerve, not brake, and far to fast for a crossroad, 

If a car comes from the sideroad, overtaking is not allowed, he must stay behind the white car

[Naamblar2014]

5 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

wowzers, how fast was he riding ?

Not fast enough. If he were riding faster he would have been gone before she pulled out.

[2009]

Women drivers

[FriendlyFarang]

Here is the CCTV video: https://www.newsflare.com/video/498646/british-pensioner-83-killed-in-horror-motorbike-crash-in-thailand

The driver in the car clearly in the fault, if she had used the left lane instead of pulling across into the right lane, after doing the left turn, the accident would not have happened.

The motorbike doesn't seem to be going very fast, was probably going at about the speed limit.

But it looks like he didn't pay much attention, I don't see any significant braking by him, looks like he just drove into the back of the car. While the accident is not the motorbike riders fault, if he had paid more attention maybe he could have avoided it, or at least reduced the severity.

Edited June 14, 2022 by FriendlyFarang

[mahtin]

Bailed out of the UK in 1981, but remember a "Think Bike" TV campaign with frequent shorts promoting the need for ordinary car drivers to be extra aware of Bike riders when pulling out of a secondary road.

 

Not expecting Thailand to do anything like that.

[Dellboy218]

27 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

I am pretty sure it will max over 180 anyway.

So?  What has the max speed ( which is about 180) got anything to do with this case?  What was the max speed of the car that caused the accident!.  If it was a racing bike it would be capable of 300 which again has no bearing on the accident has it?

[Iamfalang]

11 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

Theres a certain level of basic road user ignorance that no amount of defensive driving can avoid. 

which is why you NEVER ride a motorbike in LOS.   I'm sorry, NEVER.  No exceptions.  Not one.  It's your life.  It won't happen to me!!!!  OK, I'll save my typing fingers and end here.  

[Gandtee]

9 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

An 83 year old doesn't have the quickest of reflexes no matter what you have done before when younger. So you need to adjust to the current reflexes.

There is no reason to suggest that he wasn't riding according to his reflexes. I've not seen the video but if someone drives straight across in front of you and you are on a motorcycle or in a car, you are extremely  lucky to be able to avoid a collision, whatever age. I and my family have and still ride motorbikes in different parts of the world. I stopped 35 years ago when I came to Thailand for obvious reasons. At 88 I drove to immigration today and after 35 years I'm well aware of other road users and abusers. Age comes differently to different people. RIP Keith. The bastards got you in the end.????

[Neeranam]

RIP

 

Better to go out doing what you love than in an old people's home. 

[richard_smith237]

52 minutes ago, Spamhead said:

What a strange comment. If your assertion were correct that would mean she knowingly 

drove out onto a motorway against the flow of traffic.

I don’t think he meant that.... 

 

She may have had such a brain-fart that she thought she was pulling out onto a two lane road, straight into the right most lane thinking she was pulling into the correct direct / lane of that two lane road. 

 

Its a stupid but innocent mistake that many make.... I’ve momentarily done it (driving on an empty road Spain at 20 years old)...  a US Diplomats Wife (Anne Sacoolas) did it in London...  and on this forum there was a recent news story of a foreigner doing the same...  sadly its easily done.

 

https://thainewsroom.com/2022/05/27/foreign-tourist-seen-driving-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-road-in-chiang-mai/

[sawadee1947]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Why is it not a good Idea to ride a Motorcycle at 83?  Are you serious in your views?  MAny of the folks I know that are in there 80's keep in shape and actually look a lot younger than some 60 year olds that I know who drink and smoke and do not take care of themselves.  This Gentleman (may he RIP) was an avid Motorcycle enthusiast who had years upon years of experience.  I find your view offensive, and even if he had been a young man in his 20's death might have occurred as well.

It's not about "younger looking". It's about overconfidence, which might an issue, accompanied by bad eye sight. And your reaction time might not be the same as with 20 or so.

It's not offending. In my home country you have to test your ability more often when you are old.

And......with a car this fatal accident might not had happened.

But I know there are a lot of bikers outside who knows everything, and even better.......for them.????????

[sawadee1947]

2 hours ago, transam said:

If the ol' fella was driving a car at that speed, it would have probably been the same outcome with more damage to the SUV...

No, BS

[Ralf001]

44 minutes ago, FriendlyFarang said:

Here is the CCTV video: https://www.newsflare.com/video/498646/british-pensioner-83-killed-in-horror-motorbike-crash-in-thailand

The driver in the car clearly in the fault, if she had used the left lane instead of pulling across into the right lane, after doing the left turn, the accident would not have happened.

The motorbike doesn't seem to be going very fast, was probably going at about the speed limit.

But it looks like he didn't pay much attention, I don't see any significant braking by him, looks like he just drove into the back of the car. While the accident is not the motorbike riders fault, if he had paid more attention maybe he could have avoided it, or at least reduced the severity.

looks like he had the room to  swerve... old man did not have the reflexes to do so.

[sawadee1947]

53 minutes ago, 2009 said:

Women drivers

No, Keith was a man

[Ralf001]

57 minutes ago, Naamblar2014 said:

Not fast enough. If he were riding faster he would have been gone before she pulled out.

watching the vid he had the time to swerve though.

[sawadee1947]

11 hours ago, RandiRona said:

I would argue that for a 83 year old everything is a sudden or surprising event. Car is your best friend on Thai roads.

According to the smileys there are a lot of bikers outside who would not agree with you.

I do 100% ????

[RichardColeman]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

and said if the driver - believed to be a Chinese woman - was found to be at fault, she would be prosecuted

More likely smoothed over in the interests of Chinese/ Thai relations

[sawadee1947]

9 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

4 wheels, surrounded by metal, is my preferred transport mode.... everywhere!

All bikers would tell you they are are the most excellent Riders Since ages.

[ThailandRyan]

7 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

All bikers would tell you they are are the most excellent Riders Since ages.

Know many that rode 30+ years on police bikes and never had a mishap.

[Shocked farang]

It's very tempting to ride a motorbike in Thailand, but due to the unpredictability of most vehicles on the road, I avoid it at all cost. RIP Keith, ????

[soi3eddie]

12 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Car is your best friend on Thai roads.

As a biker in Thailand, cars are your second worst danger after trucks. 

 

[tonypattaya]

"CCTV footage shows how the female driver accelerated across the road onto the outside lane straight into the path of McVeighty" 

So often, Thai drivers pulling out of sideroads and needing the outside lane, try to do it in one go, rather than taking the nearest lane and then gradually changing lanes to the one which is desired.

[KhaoYai]

Just to add to my earlier post. Approaching a junction is precisely where extra care should be taken - especially when you're on a bike. You expect people to pull out on you - even in the UK. That was one of the first things I was taught.

 

As I said earlier, the woman drove like an idiot doing what she did but its not uncommon and her actions are exactly what I expect in such locations - I see similar almost everytime I ride over there. I believe the deceased is not a newcomer to riding in Thailand.

 

And again, with the greatest of respect, did anyone see any attempt at braking? Any dive on the forks indicating braking? Clearly the woman should not have done what she did and ultimately was at fault but in my opinion, that accident was entirely avoidable. 

 

Another thought which indicates a lack of awareness or concentration - when riding a bike you often have to make split second decisions.  If you were suddenly presented with the rear end of an SUV 30/40 meters in front of you, where would you aim?  Up the left side would be my choice or even the right - not the car's tailgate. 

 

Having watched the video several times, I'm absolutely certain that I would not have hit that car.

 

Someone suggested that he couldn't go up the left side due to traffic - watch the video, there is no traffic in the left lane.

Edited June 14, 2022 by KhaoYai

[impulse]

Tragic story, but a thought provoking cautionary tale.  His riding skills didn't save him and neither did his helmet.

 

Had he been in a 4 wheeler with seat belts fastened, the driver probably wouldn't have pulled out in front of him in the first place.  And if she did, we'd be discussing who should pay for the damages if you rear end a car that cuts you off like that.  And he'd be around to participate in the discussion.

 

Riding a scooter is 20-40x as hazardous per km as driving a car, even with a helmet and skills.

 

[Gottfrid]

10 minutes ago, Wagga said:

Your making up stories again

What am I making up?

[KhaoYai]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

Tragic story, but a thought provoking cautionary tale.  His riding skills didn't save him and neither did his helmet.

We don't know the official cause of death but I think his age will have had a lot to do with his chances of surviving such a crash.

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, Dellboy218 said:

So?  What has the max speed ( which is about 180) got anything to do with this case?  What was the max speed of the car that caused the accident!.  If it was a racing bike it would be capable of 300 which again has no bearing on the accident has it?

Yes, it has, but you are probably British and blindly defend all like a true patriot. 

[Bday Prang]

38 minutes ago, Wagga said:

Your making up stories again

he seems to like doing that

 

[Bday Prang]

25 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, it has, but you are probably British and blindly defend all like a true patriot. 

Another nonsense post  why do you do it,? have you been smoking cannabis now that its legal ?