What made me crash?

Question

Today I rode my itty-bitty gas-powered scooter out in the rain. I am an amateur driver, but I feel fairly confident on it, definitely more so than in a car. I figured if I went slow enough I would be safe. Anyway, when I was on a fairly busy road the light ahead of me turned red, so I braked. I had plenty of time to, and I didn't slam them on or anything, and I was going straight, but for some reason my scooter slid out from under me and I was sent skidding across the lane.

Since there was no one behind me I ended up alive with a scraped up right elbow and knee and a scratched helmet (not sure how I pulled that off, I can't remember my head hitting the ground), but I realize that I am very lucky. I'm lucky that I didn't go flying into the lane next to mine.

But here's my query: what the h**l happened? I was going at about twenty five, the speed limit being thirty-five, and I don't know what I did wrong. Is there any way to avoid sliding besides reduced speed and extra caution?

Answer 1

Even thougth everyone is going to say you hydroplaned i don't think you did. Because i have had that happen to a friend under the same conditions but come to find out someone just hours before dumped oil on the and with the ground its very hard to see it coming and that's probably why you don't under stand why you crashed. Now what is funny when the cops came to the scene of my friends accident the cops didn't believe him at first until one of the cops coming to the scene lost control in the same spot and hit a light pole. That's how we knew it was oil on the road because the cops had a huge investigation and when it was said and done the paper said the cause of the accident was oil dumped on the road way.

Answer 2

Because it was raining, you are going to have reduced vision no matter what, so if there was litter or something on the ground that you wouldn't have seen that made you slip, it would have happened. Or you could have just skidded as you were braking across a pile of crushed rocks,

The definition of an accident - it was no ones fault. They happen all the time. You really shouldn't be riding your scooter out in the rain anyway - it's a hazard, especially if it's your only means of transportation. Rain isn't hard to travel in, but when it's coming down hard, don't mess with it. If it was flowing down the street it can act just like ice would to any regular vehicle to your tiny wheels.

Be careful, that's all you can do. Yea, you were lucky. Only someone watching or you could know what happened, and you're gonna have to pay closer attention next time. That's all you can do. I know it's probably hard when you're sliding across the road, but even in the daylight you should look around you when you can and take in your surroundings, not just the tunnel vision

Again, VERY lucky.

Answer 3

your tires probably have no or little tread.  You floated on the little water there was.  Get tires with more tread, or don't drive in the rain.

Answer 4

it's called "hydroplaning".

Answer 5

Plain and simple, you were driving to fast for the current road conditions...

Answer 6

I agree that it could have been hydroplaning, but I am guessing that that it was more a factor of other things.  I am going to guess that it was not raining that hard or had just stated to rain, otherwise I can't imagine that you would be riding your scooter.  On asphalt, when it is warm and it just starts to rain and get wet the oil in the asphalt will rise to the surface, this causes dangerous conditions for cars, much more for a lightweight scooter.  I am thinking that this with maybe a little bit of gravel and small tires caused your crash.

Now, I saw crash and not accident because in my business which is calculating statistics of motor vehicles you find that there is not such thing as an accident.

I am glad that you realize how lucky you are that you were wearing a helmet.  Rain and scooters don't mix especially on a busy road and although technically you did not do anything wrong, I would avoid that route if I could in the future if I could when it looked like it could be wet out.

Answer 7

you probly slid on some dirt mixed with rain water. alwys drive

slow when you have to brake for something. always be prepared for anything.

Answer 8

the weight of the scooter is in the rear. the road was wet, and when you put on the brakes the rear tire came right out from under you. and because you were in the right lane the bike skidded down to the right. there was no way you could have avoided this mishap. you are just learning how to handle this bike in all types of weather. don't beat yourself over this. it could have happened to anyone, for a mulitude of reasons. just thing, it could have been snow. you parents, like your teachers have told you time, and time again, ..thank god you landed on your head, there's nothing there anyway. just a little humor there.  in closing be carefull, and don't drive in the rain, until you have a few more miles under your belt.

Answer 9

too fast for conditions,,,also,,avoid using tire dressings like ArmorAll that will keep your tires from grabbing traction. Also don't forget to "dry your brakes" by gently apply brake pressure to heat and dry them,,this can prevent "grabbing" when you really need to make a controlled stop,,,

Answer 10

here's your answer, Rain , wet road surface, speed. you were the victim of hydroplaning. A common problem where your tires could not channel the water away from the area where the tire meets the road surface quickly enough to prevent it. the only solution is to SLOW DOWN in the rain and allow for extra stopping distances when the roads are wet.

Answer 11

get good rest

Answer 12

your answer is in your question man IT WAS RAINING!!!!!!!!! I am sure the tires on that scooter arent met to be driven in the rain.