Lane splitting accidents

[lkm]

Was surfing through the facebook page of Singapore Reckless Drivers and watching the user-submitted videos of accidents happening around Singapore. I am alarmed, though not surprised, by the number of accidents involving motorcycles. Sometimes it appears to be the rider's fault, other times, no fault of the rider at all. But nevertheless, riders are always vulnerable in an accident. I'm a relatively new rider myself and have been driving for many years (still am driving).

 

I noticed that while generally, most riders lane-split responsibly, there are some who seem to treat it as an exclusive lane. I don't think there are any laws in Singapore which prohibit nor promote lane splitting. But please remember that we are lane-splitting at the courtesy of the other road users (namely drivers). It is not a right of travel passage for bikers. Yes, drivers should be courteous to give a little space to riders lane-splitting. But remember - that's courtesy, not obligation. I believe our roads were designed to allow 2 moving vehicles abreast to flow safely, not 3. The 3rd vehicle in 2 lanes inherently introduces an increased risk of accident. The space between 2 lanes is there to allow a margin of safety should any road dummy inadvertently makes a minor mistake. Introducing a 3rd vehicle in that 2 lanes significantly reduces that margin of safety. While I believe that most drivers in Singapore are tolerant to rider lane-splitting, I think it's the rider's responsibility to do it safely.

 

Riders, let's ride responsibly. Drivers, let's be more courteous. I recall a friend giving me this advise as I was taking my 2B lessons - ride as if everyone on the road is out to kill you; avoid them, and you should be okay. Never insist on your right of way. Because no matter whether if you are in the right or in the wrong, as long as you are injured, you lose.

 

Ride safe everyone!

[DeusExMachina]

Let's put it simply, if drivers actually signalled, and checked their blind spots before changing lanes, most of these lane splitting accidents can be avoided.

 

I drive and ride, so I'm more aware of lane splitting bikes than those who drive only. And I sure as hell bother to turn my head to check my blind spot every single time I make a turn.

[duo]

The only time I got into any accident is when I am not lane splitting. Sideswiped by a car while I am riding in the centre of the lane. Rear ended while waiting for the right turn green arrow. Of course if the road is clear would not need to lane split.

Edited March 10, 2016 by duo

[MRliqiang]

Right. I agree with your post and I always ride with the mentality that everyone is out to kill me on the road. I give way to people and don't expect people to give way to me. At the end of the day, any accidents occured, I'll be the one to suffer. So I rather not take that risk.

[Lokess]

me too. rear ended a car when i was checking blind spot to lane change. if i was lane splitting it wouldnt have happened.

[kb27]

Drivers are not out to kill you.

When you lane split and make your own lanes, drivers can't see you sometimes.

When they are switching lanes, they are looking at the next lane, not the lane split you are making.

Worse still is you speed up between 2 lanes, when a lane appears empty, drivers will switch, and here you come speeding up as a hero, you'll go down.

[reize]

Drivers are not out to kill you.

When you lane split and make your own lanes, drivers can't see you sometimes.

When they are switching lanes, they are looking at the next lane, not the lane split you are making.

Worse still is you speed up between 2 lanes, when a lane appears empty, drivers will switch, and here you come speeding up as a hero, you'll go down.

 

If the driver signal before he change lanes, you think riders will still speed up and rush to their deaths?

[f2racer]

Agree with you bro. IMO both sides wrong la, drivers nvr signal, and motor too hiong sometimes

[duo]

Drivers who do not ride are just not bothered to look out for motorcycles and very bad at gauging a motorcycle's speed. They just cannot register in their brain the existence of anything smaller than a car on the roads. They are however very aware of the bigger vehicles.

 

As mentioned by a number of riders they get into accidents when they are not lane splitting. Drivers are not out to kill them but they feel they have more rights/privileges on the roads. Countless times I have seen and experience drivers simply forcing into a lane when a motorcycle is just beside them (not lane splitting).

 

Perhaps if it is made compulsory for those who wanna acquire a driving licence to have at least a 2B licence and real on the road riding experience for at least say a year perhaps that would make them realise the existence of riders. Simply to give them how it feels like to be a rider. Just like how a rich person will never know what it feels like to be poor till they lose it all. But then again its just wishful thinking coz later the children of those people living in ivory towers very difficult to get to drive. But then again thats just my view.

Edited September 28, 2016 by duo

[Yahmarhuh]

Wud also be beneficial if you can take ur car license and drive on the road abit before taking ur bike lessons. Then u will understand car drivers actions better and able to anticipate their actions better.

 

Agree with TS, when we lane split we encroaching into the other vehicles safety bubble. The onus is on us to make sure it is safe for us and also doesn't inconvenient other road users that are in lane.

[duo]

Wud also be beneficial if you can take ur car license and drive on the road abit before taking ur bike lessons. Then u will understand car drivers actions better and able to anticipate their actions better.

 

Agree with TS, when we lane split we encroaching into the other vehicles safety bubble. The onus is on us to make sure it is safe for us and also doesn't inconvenient other road users that are in lane.

Once get driving licence you think they want to take bike licence? Maybe only for those who have passion for riding. Also how to afford a car just to drive abit then take bike licence when its already cost that much? Hence bike licence first then car. Bike is supposedly cheaper. Also it could reduce the vehicles on the roads. How so? Some drivers cannot even balance or have the guts to ride a bike. No bike licence then no driving licence also. But then again its just wishful thinking seeing how much the gahmen can get from sales of cars. And again just my view only.

[Yahmarhuh]

That's y I said beneficial not that I say it shud be compulsory. Those who have gone through this route will understand.

 

Many ways to "drive abit" not only by owning a car.

[duo]

That's y I said beneficial not that I say it shud be compulsory. Those who have gone through this route will understand.

 

Many ways to "drive abit" not only by owning a car.

For those who can afford or have their parents pay the entire thing. Sorry for being poor.

[Yahmarhuh]

For those who can afford or have their parents pay the entire thing. Sorry for being poor.

 

many times is a choice what we want to spend on... Eg, some people factor in the cost of a good helmet, riding gears, personal accident insurance when buying a bike. Some just max out their budget on bike n ride with the cheapest helmet they can get along with slippers n singlets... usually its about choices.

 

Sometimes its also due to unavoidable circumstances and that's unfortunate.

[kb27]

If the driver signal before he change lanes, you think riders will still speed up and rush to their deaths?

 

As a biker, you should protect yourself and not rely on others "signalling".

So what if you're right and they are wrong ?

 

No point blaming drivers or worse ride in vans and trucks blind spot, when you get hit then you kpkb which is a little too late.

[lkm]

This is probably gonna ruffle some feathers.... I am both a rider AND a driver, and so I'm gonna comment WITHOUT taking any sides. In my personal experience, I actually notice more RIDERS who are riding dangerously than drivers who are driving dangerously. Every time I notice a rider executing a manoeuvre that will put somebody in danger (be it him/herself or to another party), I cringe and shake my head, and truly wonder if this person even values his life. And just when I thought motorcycle riders in Singapore are bad enough, I notice that many of the particularly bad ones are riding J-plated bikes.

 

Are drivers all saints? Hell, no! There exist (true, genuine) idiots amongst drivers too. And some don't even deserve to be on the road.

 

But I think ultimately, ALL road users should practice DEFENSIVE driving / riding. ESPECIALLY MORE SO for motorcycle riders. In the event of an accident, like I mentioned in the opening post, it doesn't matter whether you're right or wrong, the probability of getting (sometimes fatally) injured of a motorcycle is significantly higher than a caged-up driver.

 

Let's recap the not-too-long-ago fatal accident of young Ducati rider. Was it his fault? NO! Was it the driver's fault? Very much so! But.... and that's a BIG BUT, should the rider NOT have been riding in the middle of 2 lanes and thus reducing that zone of safety bubble between vehicles, he might have been able to live to tell the tale... (although much of it will probably comprise of some strong swear words.)

 

 

Ultimately, my point it this... I DON'T CARE who is in the right or in the wrong. But I DO CARE (and I really do extremely care) that I be able to stay alive! By choosing to ride a motorcycle, I have consciously opted for a mode of locomotion that has significantly elevated probabilities of injury during an accident. And so I CHOOSE to rider very defensively, and occasionally split lanes if (and ONLY if) I assessed it to be very, very safe.

 

I'm not about to tell every to "stay safe". But, yes, my message to everyone here is to STAY ALIVE! =)

[duo]

This is probably gonna ruffle some feathers.... I am both a rider AND a driver, and so I'm gonna comment WITHOUT taking any sides. In my personal experience, I actually notice more RIDERS who are riding dangerously than drivers who are driving dangerously. Every time I notice a rider executing a manoeuvre that will put somebody in danger (be it him/herself or to another party), I cringe and shake my head, and truly wonder if this person even values his life. And just when I thought motorcycle riders in Singapore are bad enough, I notice that many of the particularly bad ones are riding J-plated bikes.

 

Are drivers all saints? Hell, no! There exist (true, genuine) idiots amongst drivers too. And some don't even deserve to be on the road.

 

But I think ultimately, ALL road users should practice DEFENSIVE driving / riding. ESPECIALLY MORE SO for motorcycle riders. In the event of an accident, like I mentioned in the opening post, it doesn't matter whether you're right or wrong, the probability of getting (sometimes fatally) injured of a motorcycle is significantly higher than a caged-up driver.

 

Let's recap the not-too-long-ago fatal accident of young Ducati rider. Was it his fault? NO! Was it the driver's fault? Very much so! But.... and that's a BIG BUT, should the rider NOT have been riding in the middle of 2 lanes and thus reducing that zone of safety bubble between vehicles, he might have been able to live to tell the tale... (although much of it will probably comprise of some strong swear words.)

 

 

Ultimately, my point it this... I DON'T CARE who is in the right or in the wrong. But I DO CARE (and I really do extremely care) that I be able to stay alive! By choosing to ride a motorcycle, I have consciously opted for a mode of locomotion that has significantly elevated probabilities of injury during an accident. And so I CHOOSE to rider very defensively, and occasionally split lanes if (and ONLY if) I assessed it to be very, very safe.

 

I'm not about to tell every to "stay safe". But, yes, my message to everyone here is to STAY ALIVE! =)

All I wanna say is those J plated vehicles are untouchable in this tiny island.

[Yahmarhuh]

All I wanna say is those J plated vehicles are untouchable in this tiny island.

 

yeah... I read somewhere that SG cannot impose local regulations on non sg registered vehicles. I'm sure this is meant for mods & aftermarket parts but I'm not sure if the J platers can be booked for reckless/inconsiderate driving

[duo]

yeah... I read somewhere that SG cannot impose local regulations on non sg registered vehicles. I'm sure this is meant for mods & aftermarket parts but I'm not sure if the J platers can be booked for reckless/inconsiderate driving

They can be booked for reckless riding. Got to see which officer is brave enough only. By right their country also supposedly practicing the same. SG vehicles also with LTA approved aftermarket parts they cannot book. But then again see who got bigger balls.

 

For parking offences no need to say already.

[lkm]

yeah... I read somewhere that SG cannot impose local regulations on non sg registered vehicles. I'm sure this is meant for mods & aftermarket parts but I'm not sure if the J platers can be booked for reckless/inconsiderate driving

 

Of course they can be booked for reckless driving / speeding / inconsiderate driving. But you're correct to mention about the not being able to impose local regulations on non-sg vehicles (as long as it's legal in their own country). This was an agreement made between SG and MY. Else if not, then almost ALL sg cars cannot enter MY because in MY, the legal regulation for rear window tint is up to 60% whereas in SG it's 70%. It would be considered too dark in MY.... Hahah... Of course - that's the LEGAL requirement. As to how much MY TP will enforce it is another matter altogether.

[duo]

Of course they can be booked for reckless driving / speeding / inconsiderate driving. But you're correct to mention about the not being able to impose local regulations on non-sg vehicles (as long as it's legal in their own country). This was an agreement made between SG and MY. Else if not, then almost ALL sg cars cannot enter MY because in MY, the legal regulation for rear window tint is up to 60% whereas in SG it's 70%. It would be considered too dark in MY.... Hahah... Of course - that's the LEGAL requirement. As to how much MY TP will enforce it is another matter altogether.

 

Story is a fellow rider was using an LTA approved aftermarket exhaust. Written to LTA about this but pretty much zilch was done. Rider attended and paid the fine. At least we know that one side is following the agreement.