Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
I am sure that we all understand the excitement and attraction of a motorcycle or motorbike, and particularly the attraction that it holds for young men. I must say that in the last week or so I have lodged two separate loss of support cases against the Road Accident Fund where in both instances relatively young mothers have lost their husbands to motorbike accidents. It is always so sad to see things like that, and that people simply don’t want to accept the reality that on our roads to ride a motorbike is simply too dangerous.
It is playing with your life, it is taking an unnecessary risk and while it is always glamorous for young, reckless men to make statements like if they are in an accident, they want to die, in many instances they are going to be left in a wheelchair. You have so much more protection in a motorcar, and motorbikes are simply extremely dangerous, particularly to drive around the roads in a developing country which has an ever-increasing death toll where more than 40 people die a day on our roads, every day of the year.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 22-Mar-13
Post a Comment
Comments
Annette said:
on Thursday 29-Oct-15 03:44 PM
I lost my husband 3 months ago to a motorcycle accident. He had a second Motorbike, And no one will ever get on that bike.. It is devastating losing someone you love so suddenly
Tans said:
on Friday 12-Apr-13 02:35 PM
Motorbikes, helmets, leather jackets, speed.... Hmm..don't even get me started.
zandra said:
on Wednesday 03-Apr-13 10:30 AM
I love motorcycles! I would like to have my own one, but they are quite expensive, some people just cant drive and that's how accidents happen - but then again if its meant to happen then it will happen
Henrietta said:
on Tuesday 02-Apr-13 09:21 AM
I use to love bikes always wanted one until my dad had an accident it was really bad. About 5 years ago I started dating my fiancé and he too was in a bike accident, there is pens in his legs and it is really starting to give problem the older he gets. I don’t think bikes is safe at all and will never own one, but I still love it.
Jessica said:
on Tuesday 26-Mar-13 02:55 PM
My personal opinion is that I don't like motor bikes, okay love off road bikes but on road with all the crazy drivers I don't think I would be able to do such crazy things. Your life already is at risk driving in a car on a bike it just makes it easier for you to get knocked down.
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 26-Mar-13 02:26 PM
When driving on the traffic you must see the joy and the look on the face of the driver of the motorcycle wow. I think their rule is do or die.
sarah said:
on Tuesday 26-Mar-13 07:02 AM
I agree with Alexis, bikes are awesome and I won't say they are dangerous , its the way people on the roads drive these days no respect for other people.
Angelique said:
on Monday 25-Mar-13 03:06 PM
I have always said motorcycles are coffins on wheels. If you don't die from an accident you get seriously hurt. My brother wanted one and I convinced my mom its far too dangerous. I really dont like them. alot of the amputations are also from motorcycles. You, yourself can be a brilliant driver but someone else can cause an accident by accident. I dont like motorcycles any more than I like the drivers - they make me nervous on the road!
Lourien said:
on Monday 25-Mar-13 10:30 AM
It sounds nice to take a Sunday drive, I won’t mind but the facts stay there that it is more dangerous driving a motorcycle than a car. Unfortunately most of the accidents happen when other Car drivers don’t see the people driving on their motorcycles. The sad thing is that so many people get left behind, mothers, children, family and friends.
Simone said:
on Monday 25-Mar-13 09:46 AM
Of course I agree. My boyfriend has been nagging me because he wants to buy a bike, but there is absolutely no way. I do not want the stress of worrying about him every time he is on the road.
Brenda said:
on Monday 25-Mar-13 09:29 AM
I hate motorbikes, and for the very reason that its extremely dangerous. Yes, you get some absolutely beautiful looking bikes, but the risks involved when riding one is just too great. I would never allow my child, or my husband to own a bike for road use. I lost a family member due to a four wheeler accident on a track, never mind on the road with a motor bike.
Benita said:
on Monday 25-Mar-13 08:52 AM
I always wanted a motorbike and could never understand why my parents would not get me one. I then started driving and saw that no one has respect for motobikes on a road ans that it is very dangerous and then only did I understand my parents resaon.
Julie said:
on Monday 25-Mar-13 07:52 AM
Bikes are for off-road, adrenalin-rush junkies - not for road use. Not in SA - people cannot drive and very few motorvehicle drivers keep a look out for motorcyclists. The majority of younger people that own bikes own them for speed. I too love them and even considered buying one but as David so rightly said.....the power of knowledge and plain simple realistic thinking....
david said:
on Monday 25-Mar-13 07:33 AM
i love motorcycles. i currently own 3, and they are extremely dangerous. unfortunately, for me, the usual home to work run for me, in a car, is a minimum of an hour each way. I live 18km away from work. I am simply not prepared to sit that long in traffic. The petrol costs are also MUCH less on a motorcycle.
i have a couple of beliefs:
1. if you're on the bike, no matter how the accident happened, it's your fault.
2. ride like everyone is out to kill you.
3. do not climb onto a bike without being completely covered in the appropriate protective gear.
4. alcohol and motorcycles do not mix.
5. riding a bike at night is looking for trouble.
before buying my first (as an adult) motorcycle, i read the HURT report. The report was carried out by an american university into motorcycle accidents - the how, when, why and injuries sustained. best thing i ever did - knowledge is power.
would i let my son own a bike? yes, but not 1 for road use. in my opinion, motorcycle and young men do not mix.
Cherise said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 04:06 PM
I absolute agree! I think motorbikes are the reckless mans choice of transportation. I am not a fan of motorbikes at all and will never get on one, I know I should be young and free but my limits stop there
Juliet said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 01:49 PM
Not having the protection of the vehicle is so dangerous, especially in SA where we have wild taxis, another reason I have not started cycling even though I want to... I just value my legs, brain, body etc too much to let them get crushed, damaged, amputated!!
Catherine said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 01:38 PM
Reckless riding and speeding of Motorbikes is extremely dangerous. The riders dare devil attitude on the roads exacerbates the problem.
joyce said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 11:19 AM
motorcycles or motorbikes are exciting, enjoyable and traffic free transport but they are extremely dangerous and most of accident involving a motorcycle or motorbike is always
a driver of a motorbike or motorcycle that is left dead or complete paralysed on a wheelchair
moenisha said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 11:09 AM
Too dangerous for anyone, injuries are very serious and most of the time the person driving the motor vehicle only sees or hears them when it's too late
sheena said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 10:57 AM
motorcycles are not a safe wat to travel. not just is it dangerous but alot of people use motorcycles in the wrong way like by speeding.Alot of times while driving you dont see motorcycles as they are in your blind spot.I think they should stop people using motor cycles on public roads.
Tanith said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 10:56 AM
i am not a fan of motorbikes, and i agree with Alexis and Cornelie that motor vehicle drivers do not always pay attention and look out for them.
Cornelie said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 10:43 AM
I totally agree with the article it is dangerous to skip cars in traffic on a motorbike we all need to get to work or home. They do not pay attention to the cars and car drivers also does not pay attention if you want change lanes there’s nothing behind you the next moment a bike is next to you that’s how the accidents happen and then we don't even talk about the motorcycles.
Alexis said:
on Friday 22-Mar-13 07:30 AM
They are awesome and the feeling you get when on one, the speed, the feel, everything about bikes are really cool - but they are so dangerous, there is nothing protecting you as if you were in a car - the amount of people who die on bikes is horrific and sad - however when buying one, you should know the consequnces and don't be an idiot - don't show off and remember that cars DO NOT pay any attention to you
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
