Holidays. Safe on the road – column

During my service, I received driving lessons from a selfish, adulterous professional corporal.

The first phenomenon was evident from the ample supply of spirits that he also massaged during driving lessons. I just had to take his word for the second. He talked about it constantly. A broad and proud arm gesture to a group of ladies on a terrace that was passed: “I pooped them all!” Incorrect gear changes were punished by a blow to the helmet with a wooden beam. The lesson echoed that. Passing the slope test was inspired by the fact that the driver in training had to place his watch behind a rear wheel. After such an exercise, someone must have come up with the idea that extra-flat watches should be an excellent revenue model.

Still, I benefited enormously from that driving training. I learned to drive 'wide' there. Drive with the left wheels on the axis of the road. Claim your asphalt even on the narrowest roads. That was the idea. And that that approach sometimes resulted in a frayed flank of the opposing party? They should see that as tuition fees. I still ride wide on my motorcycle. Although the psychological impact of a MAN 11136 H/HA 4×4 approaching head-on is seriously greater than that of a motorcyclist on a tour.

And then you notice that everything is based on appearance. Because even if you march closely along the center line at even a 250, you will see that even seasoned Scania drivers will look for the shoulder for you. If they don't, you still have the entire width of your own lane to swerve to the right. Driving wide also works on following traffic. If you're frolicking around in the middle of your own lane, there's a good chance that drivers will see that as an ideal situation to overtake you. Even if there is an oncoming vehicle in the picture and you can see the whites of his eyes. And then you only have a maximum of one meter to swerve to the right.

When overtaking, we motorcyclists often make the mistake of emerging from the blind spot of car mirrors. Calmly but resolutely turning to the left, while not hitting the bumper of our predecessor, helps. In the left lane, take the middle of the lane. This prevents you from being overtaken twice and gives you some evasive action to the left and right in the event of an emergency. In any emergency, remember that the acceleration of a modern motorcycle often offers a better way out than making an emergency stop.

Please keep in mind that we actually remain invisible to motorists. Especially because we, classic drivers, do not usually sit on our steed dressed as Fluo-lolly. Many of those guys have a gun permit rather than a driver's license and the visual judgment of Stevie wonder. And because we are our own crumple zones, we just have to continue to be careful. Yellow vests don't help at all with that.