CULLMAN – In light of recent events, we took a look into motorcycles: those who drive them, those who drive alongside them and the law enforcement officers who deal with them.
According to Frank Calvert, a 60-year-veteran truck driver for shipping-giant AAA Cooper, the toughest thing about sharing the road with motorcyclists is the blind spot for them is much larger.
“There is a blind spot on most cars, and that blind spot is a little bigger while driving an 18-wheeler, not much bigger, but bigger,” he said. “Now, when the motorcycles drive alongside you, and get between the cab and the trailer, they’re right in that blind spot.”
Calvert also had more to add on the subject.
“The other thing is, and this can even be for people driving cars,” he said, “don’t get up next to a car on the interstate. If you’re going to pass, pass. Don’t drive alongside a truck at the same speed, because if the truck has a blow-out – which, during this heat, is not impossible – that could end very badly for everyone involved, you know? Even death.”
Local motorcycle veteran Andrew Siegenthaler said that car-drivers simply do not see motorcyclists.
“Most of the time cars just simply do not see you when you’re on a motorcycle,” Siegenthaler said. “Left turns, a car making a left turn, I just always assume that the car doesn’t see me. When you’re driving a motorcycle you can’t have a chip on your shoulder. You really have to be hyper-aware, I’ve always been hyper-aware, that the cars around you just may not see you at all.”
Pointing out a unique perk to owning a loud motorcycle, such as a Harley-Davidson (which Siegenthaler does not own), he said he understands why owning such a noisy vehicle is a help.
“The noise is one way to announce to everyone that you’re there, they hear you even if they don’t see you. It makes those in cars around aware of your presence,” Siegenthaler said.
Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry has a similar viewpoint.
“All drivers have to be aware,” Gentry said. “Distracted driving is such a problem now, along with the fact that there are more cars on the road now than ever before, that’s a problem.”
Gentry added that although motorcyclists do frequently reach high speeds, speeding isn’t a problem exclusive to motorcyclists; there isn’t a trick or a secret to being more safe than ever, motorists must simply do what they’ve always known to do.
Cullman City Police Officer Matt Dean also said that motorcyclists, much like those driving cars, need to be more defensive while driving.
“You have to just assume that the car in front of you doesn’t see you. There is no room for having a chip on your shoulder,” Dean said.
According to Dean, who himself drives a motorcycle on- and off-duty, police officers who drive motorcycles on-duty must complete an 80-hour training program.
“A large problem is people just not knowing how to drive,” Dean said. “They have never driven before and go out a buy a bike and don’t take the time to educate themselves.”
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