Stupid Kills!
Stupid kills. Yeah, I said it. Let me give you an example from this weekend. As most of you know, I am a motorcycle safety instructor in the ABATE of Indiana program and I also am a certified state motorcycle license examiner. Saturday morning I was testing the 60 people that showed up and this older gentleman was there to take the test. When it came time for his group to take the test I read the disclaimer and explained the first test sequence. When I asked if there were any questions he looked at me like he was unsure if he could do what I just asked him to do. He said, “I am 63 years old!” I replied, “Yeah.” The group erupted in laughter, which was not my intention as I do not go out of my way to embarrass anyone.
I ran the group through the sharp left turn and normal stop and this guy loses points on both. If you can not perform these skills then there is no way you can do the weave and the u-turn. I failed him right after the weave. In Indiana you can test up to 3 times on a learner’s permit. If you fail 3 times you have to retake the written test and wait 30 days before you can test again. But, they allow you to test twice in the same day if you choose. Well this guy decided to go for the second test. I got him through the turn and stop again and, of course, he failed in the weave and u-turn again. He tried pleading his case before we started the weave by telling me that he was disabled and he never rides his bike over 45 mph anyway. I told him that he probably should not be riding a motorcycle then. His reply was that he had medication for his disability. I told him that if he took meds that he definitely did not need to be riding and he probably is not supposed to be driving a car. He made sure that I knew that he was allowed to drive a car.
Bottom line. Stupid kills. I failed him on the spot. My name is not going on a permit saying that he even has the basic skills to operate a motorcycle.
Ride Safe
Steve & the MC Nation
June 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
That’s too bad he doesn’t get to ride. But we all know it’s for his own good. And the other people on the street as well.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I never feel bad about failing someone that can’t meet the minimum skill level to pass the MOST II test. I always tell them the same thing. “I would rather see you fail here and live, then fail out on the road and die!” And that’s the bottom line.
ronw