Rider killed by grass clippings

[Guzzistajohn]

https://www.kwqc.com/content/news/Illinois-motorcyclist-killed-after-grass-clippings-left-on-road-511219891.html?fbclid=IwAR1mTKhMspVyg7Kqt5WlmWlO87iPBg1OzCCDPaBwN9-CFZ6kNu_xhtAs1p4

Grass clippings one the road have been a subject of discussion on the interneck for a couple of years, now they say someone has died and yard work could be the blame.

Great photo of her and her get back whip but no helmet???

[Bisbonian]

Reading the article I got the impression that the possible reason for her crash was following too closely.

The rider who died did not hit the grass clippings and go out of control. One of her riding partners hit the clippings, slowed down, and she ran into the back of him.

[Chuck in Indiana]

True, but just the same, I avoid them. It's a really good way to get something stuck in your tire that has been thrown out of the side ditch.

[cloudbase]

I wonder if she was wearing a helmet or any other gear. 

[zebraranger]

I wonder if she was wearing a helmet or any other gear.

Around here, most Harley riders don't.

[Guzzistajohn]

Personally, I think all the hubub about grass clippings is a load of crap. Distracted driving is a bigger issue. I see grass clippings as an opportunity to Brrrraaaaappppppp!!! I'd hate to see what would happen if someone hit some sand??

[blu guzz]

if homeowners understood that they can be held liable for any injuries caused by the grass clippings, many might quit the practice.  sounds to me like there is a wrongful death suit there.

[Lannis]

if homeowners understood that they can be held liable for any injuries caused by the grass clippings, many might quit the practice.  sounds to me like there is a wrongful death suit there.

The lawyer might say "We're suing because the homeowner deliberately placed some slick foreign material on the highway surface".

No one is allowed to pour oil on the road, or dump mulch in the road, or throw garbage in the road; why should they be allowed to dump grass clippings on the travel surface and get away with it?

"But I was only cutting my grass!"   The initial statement still stands, doesn't matter what you were doing.

Might not win, but might make the next guy think.   Or not.

Lannis

[Ncdan]

Personally, I think all the hubub about grass clippings is a load of crap. Distracted driving is a bigger issue. I see grass clippings as an opportunity to Brrrraaaaappppppp!!! I'd hate to see what would happen if someone hit some sand??

👍👍👍👍

[Muzz]

One of the most dangerous things to hit down here in rural NZ is cow dung on the road.  Many dairy farms have been split by roads, and although there are many farms that have had underpasses installed there are still plenty where the cows have to cross the road.

Hitting fresh cow shit has close to the same effect as hitting oil.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Leaving the Wisconsin rally on Sunday morning finds "horse apples" on the road from the Amish going to church.  I smile in my helmet and wave to the kids..

[Guzzistajohn]

Try leaning in to a good curve and to find a squished armadillo in the road. It raises the pucker factor a notch or two

[MMRanch]

  if homeowners understood that they can be held liable for any injuries caused by the grass clippings, many might quit the practice.  sounds to me like there is a wrongful death suit there. 

Here in TN. leaving "Clippings" on a roadway is a Law-Suit  .    Yes , if the Clippings wasn't on the roadway the accident never would have happened ... therefore all it takes is proof of how the Clippings got left on the Roadway !    Open and Shut !

[Shorty]

Reading the article I got the impression that the possible reason for her crash was following too closely.

The rider who died did not hit the grass clippings and go out of control. One of her riding partners hit the clippings, slowed down, and she ran into the back of him.

I agree. Riding in too tight a pack. Sometime it don't work out for riders , or the Blue Angels. The article says she worked as a paralegal before becoming a waitress. Some 'bambulance chaser is sure to want to be the white knight now....

[LBC Tenni]

Here in the SoCal suburbs it’s the f’ing leaf blower brigade. They cut the grass and then blow it all out in the street, job done. Even worse when you happen by at the wrong moment and get blasted by the jet stream of filth. F’ers. 

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I just hate when people let their kids play in the road.  When you run over then their little bone break and puncture the tires.
 Yes, people who dump their lawn mowers in the road are creating a hazard.  I have never heard of anyone being ticketed for it though.
 In Hawaii girls would ride their horses on the sidewalk.  Horse poop sometimes covered the sidewalk so that my wheelchair could not avoid rolling through it.

[Dave Swanson]

As most of us have found out a heavy layer of fresh cut grass is certainly a hazard and can put you down with the wrong set of circumstances.   No matter what other factors were present at that time of her get off it is upsetting  that the clippings may have contributed to her demise. 

[Guzzistajohn]

I just hate when people let their kids play in the road.  When you run over then their little bone break and puncture the tires.
 Yes, people who dump their lawn mowers in the road are creating a hazard.  I have never heard of anyone being ticketed for it though.
 In Hawaii girls would ride their horses on the sidewalk.  Horse poop sometimes covered the sidewalk so that my wheelchair could not avoid rolling through it.

Hawaii needs a "Curb your Horse" law. Those girls should have to carry a bag for that shit!

[DougG]

Hi all,
I agree, that grass and leaves should be in a compost...not the road...for several different reasons.

Slightly different topic...I had a real sphincter clencher last week when I was on the highway, rounding a blind right hand turn at about 50 mph, the road was banked the wrong way and I was leaning.  At mid corner, the road was covered with tar snakes (they were apparently prepping the road for some repairs...no sign.)  The front lost grip and then so did the back.  Luckily, there was enough stable pavement for me to hang on and get through it without incident.  I kissed my wife and pet my dog when I got home.  In that order.

Be well,
DougG

[giusto]

Hi all,
I agree, that grass and leaves should be in a compost...not the road...for several different reasons.

Slightly different topic...I had a real sphincter clencher last week when I was on the highway, rounding a blind right hand turn at about 50 mph, the road was banked the wrong way and I was leaning.  At mid corner, the road was covered with tar snakes (they were apparently prepping the road for some repairs...no sign.)  The front lost grip and then so did the back.  Luckily, there was enough stable pavement for me to hang on and get through it without incident.  I kissed my wife and pet my dog when I got home.  In that order.

Be well,
DougG

Wow glad you're ok....but it sounds like...as always...never one issue....more a combination of smaller issues...though I have never seen a state or county roadway with a reverse "super" elevation...(banked the wrong way road surface)...it may be worth contacting your state DOT or County Road Commission. Certainly for the construction signage...though in my neck of the woods, crack sealing (tar snakes) would only have signage during the application process.


more on topic...very sad for the woman and her family....the more factors that increase risk...the higher percentage of a negative reaction to them...Helmet? riding in groups? rider experience? speed? AND grass clippings...not good :(

[dguzzi]

I guess we need signs....Caution- Mowing Homeowners Ahead
                                    Caution- Road Debris Can Be Hazardous
                                    Caution- Road Kill Can Kill        (not David)
                                    Caution- Helmets are a good idea!

What about plowing your snow across the road and making slippery areas?

[zedXmick]

AGATT   Wasn’t the grass clippings, she was following to close. She got away with it her entire ridding career until she didn’t. RIP

[Siamese]

I have to agree, riding too close was the real issue. 

I never ride in groups.  I guess I understand why people are compelled to do it, but riding closer to other motorcyclists than you would ride to cars or motorcyclists you don't know doesn't make sense.  If the bike in front of you, or in the stagger position in front of you suddenly swerves because of a deer, turkey or pile of grass clippings will you react in time?

Or, if you have a bike close behind you, staggered or not, do you hesitate to apply heavy braking if needed, because you're not sure if the person behind you sees the same obstruction? 

To me, the pinnacle of stupidity is riding in a group of people you don't know, like a charity or memorial ride.  Good way to be memorialized yourself. 

[stormshearon]

I have to agree that riding too close to the rider in front, therefore not having sufficient time to react to the rider in front having the issue with the clippings was the major problem.

So what does everybody do when fall hits and mother nature spreads wet leaves all over the road? Stay home? Or be more cautious, slow down and don't follow too close?

[redrider90]

I wonder if she was wearing a helmet or any other gear.

You do not see many helmeted riders in Illinois.

[SmithSwede]

Sad that it was her husband that initially lost control and slowed down. She then ploughed into him.   Will be hard for him to deal with that. 

[boatdetective]

This is precisely why my yard looks like a wheat field. I would mow the lawn more often, but I don't because of rider safety.

...somehow I don't think this excuse will work with the neighbors.

[oldbike54]

This is precisely why my yard looks like a wheat field. I would mow the lawn more often, but I don't because of rider safety.

...somehow I don't think this excuse will work with the neighbors.

 Just tell the neighbors that a hay shortage is looming and you want to be prepared 

 Dusty

[Wayne Orwig]

Here in the SoCal suburbs it’s the f’ing leaf blower brigade. They cut the grass and then blow it all out in the street, job done. Even worse when you happen by at the wrong moment and get blasted by the jet stream of filth. F’ers. 

Yep. I used to go to work in the afternoon in an area that all of the lawn service people were hitting. The big thing is to use a leaf blower to blow the clippings out into the road. I would have to ride through a cloud of dust and grass clippings. One of the reasons I installed loud honk so they would hear me as I gave them the single digit salute. Morons.

[Penderic]

If you have sheep, you wont need to mow the grass and risk a road accident..... 


  oh oh.