A near death experience...

[aviator]

I had a similar experience in Indiana, when we lived there.
Only the offending car trying to pass, well into my lane was actually targeting me and trying to push me off what was a lil road left for me, and in that moment saw the driver and occupants laughing at me. I should have kicked their mirror, but was too into saving myself.

[802Mike]

Probably would've taken you leg and wrapped it around you neck if you did.

[Welshman]

It may be that all crashes and near crashes provide a chance to learn how to ride more safely.

The situation in the intial post could be at least parially abated by two manuvers that many of us already use but not consistently (at least in my case).

One is the "Drunken Sailor" manuever. Our visual cortex is not so great in dectecting motion towards or away from us. OTOH, it does a great job when the movement is accross the visual field.

This manuver is simply teeter totering the bike from the vertical axis, side to side. It does't require much movement and in fact over doing it can put oncoming traffic into panic mode with unfortunate avoidance manuvers.

The other is lane position when faced with an oncoming truck/van/bus with trailing traffic (usually containing frustrated/anxous drivers).

This is critical on two lane highways.

Some feel that moving your lane position towards the outside of your lane provides a better sight line for the trailing traffic.

I imagine this works best when combined with the fist manuver.

Other ideas???

Both are good. As you say the human eye is better at detecting side to side movement and being at the edge of your side of the road will make you more visible to those in a queue coming towards you.

[mondrage]

What a terrible experience.
Here in Nicaragua, people drive slowly but they drive like morons.
I constantly have close calls, and I've developed, I hope, a sixth sense to avoid them.
I was in heavy traffic, and a idiot woman decides to cross across three lines of traffic to reach the entrance to her gated community.
The second I saw this happening and quite honestly I don't even know why, I moved in between cars.
The car in front of me braked suddenly and aggressively to avoid crashing into the woman.
The car behind me completely crushed the back of that little pick-up truck.
Right where I would have been.
I got out of the bike, and before I thought of my luck, I yelled at the drivers to get a hold of the woman and gave them my number as a witness.
Came home, and wondered the wisdom of riding where there are so many stupid and reckless drivers.
I mean, they don't give a frak.

Guess you have to count your blessings daily.

Glad you made it kneedragger.

[Kneedragger]

Thanks, Mondrage... likewise, I'm glad you survived your experience!!

[XRRider]

The first time I had a near collision that I was able to avoid I realized I had the ability to see a bad situation and make decisions quickly without panicking. You should be proud you got yourself out of trouble with the options you had without panicking and just running off the road.

[802Mike]

*snip......

Some feel that moving your lane position towards the outside of your lane provides a better sight line for the trailing traffic.

When meeting oncoming traffic I move to the outside of my lane. Having the amber CW lights also helps me to be seen.

After the accident drivers always say, "I didn't see him !"