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Title: Rest in peace David Holmes
Source:
Rider Groups
URL Source: http://www.ridergroups.com/2668/rest-in-peace-david-holmes/
Published: Sep 10, 2014
Author: Kevin Morris
Post Date: 2014-09-23 23:06:36 by Southern Style
Keywords: None
Views: 159
Comments: 1
September 10, 2014 Kevin Morris As a motorcyclist, husband, father and MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) instructor this is a very difficult video for me to watch and it has been a very difficult article for me to write. However, I believe it is one that motorcyclists and drivers should see. The video documents the final moments of a motorcyclist’s life in Norfolk, England; David Holmes. David’s family released the video following his fatal motorcycle accident. David was rolling video at the time of the accident. Please be warned the video does contain some disturbing footage. The MSF teaches in regards to motorcycle accidents that there is rarely a single cause for a collision. Rather there are several factors that come together at a certain point in time and an incident occurs. Some of these factors are under our control and some are not under our control. Clearly from the footage of this tragedy there are 2 primary factors that led to the collision. 1. The car turned in front of the rider. (not under David’s control) There are many other factors that contributed to the accident but let’s focus on the two mentioned. Every time we throw a leg over a motorcycle we have to accept some risk. Let’s face it, we have no control over what the other people on the road are going to do. The car may have turned in front of David because the driver was not paying attention, maybe they were on their cell phone or they were blinded by the sun. The fact is there was nothing that David could have done to prevent that car from turning in front of him BUT, we can greatly reduce the chances of being involved in an incident by removing as many factors as we can that are under our control. It has been reported that David’s speed at the time of the accident was 97mph in a 60mph zone. Had David’s speed been managed, had David anticipated the path of the other vehicle, had David given himself time and space in case the car did cross in front of him and a host of other what if’s would have most likely prevented this collision. David’s FJR following the collision. I often remind students in the MSF class that a car may contribute to the cause of an accident but you as a motorcyclist will always pay the price. Unfortunately on this day David Holmes paid with his life in part to the inattentiveness of a fellow driver, but also because he got lost in the moment and the enjoyment of the ride. I don’t want this to sound like I am bashing a fallen rider. I’m not. I get it, it is too easy to enjoy the ride and forget to remain vigilant, I have done it myself. I believe it is David’s families’ desire to remind me and you to be more aware. I am thankful that they had the courage to share this video. My hope in sharing this on RiderGroups is that it will remind me and you to control our level of risk on the road. Remove the risks that are under your control, stay vigilant every time you ride. People who love you are depending on you to get home safely. If it has been a while since you took a MSF class find one and get a refresher. If you live in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area I coach here: Lone Star Bikers. We would love to have you come ride with us in a class, no matter your skill level. Work on your riding skills but just as importantly work on your mental skills while riding. Stay alert to what is around you. It is always better to adjust to avoid an accident than to have to react to avoid an accident. The time for David to adjust his speed was several miles before the accident, once the car turned in front of him it was too late to react. Don’t make the same mistake. I often hear motorists complain about bikers, “they were riding like maniacs”, “another kid speeding by on a crotch rocket”. Motorcyclists get a bad rep, and some of it is deserved. But, underneath that helmet and leather is a father, mother, son and daughter who want to get home to their family. The vast majority of us ride within the law and depend on you to stay aware while you are driving. Put the phone down! Stop checking for text messages or your Facebook status while driving. A biker’s life has way more value than your Facebook status, just ask our families. This is an important conversation, please leave your thoughts and comments below. If you have family or friends who ride share the video or a link to this article to remind them to ride safe and stay vigilant. Rest in peace David Holmes
2. The speed of the rider. (under David’s control)
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#1. To: Southern Style (#0)
Phew. I've seen a lot and yet I assure this -always- impacts me positively. I ride everyday in C.AmeriKa as do all my people. You must control all you can on the road. Off road is risky enough. Thx
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams 
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