US female biker killed by driver 'painting nails'
Manicured motorist fails to stop for biker at red lights
A FEMALE US biker was thrown from her motorcycle and killed after a motorist, allegedly painting her fingernails at the time of the crash, ploughed into her.
The motorcyclist, Anita Zaffke, 56, was stopped at a red light when a car struck her bike from behind at a high rate of speed, Police have said.
According to reports, Zaffke was thrown 'a couple hundred feet'. Police have confirmed she was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Zaffke later died of multiple internal injuries.
Police have confirmed the female driver was painting her fingernails and did not notice the traffic lights were on red.
Discuss this story
Christ what do you say to something like this ??
Keep your eyes on what is coming up in your mirrors when you have stopped and plan an escape route?
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 14:31
Sorry should have been more specific. Not what should you do, rather a general comment on people that pay so little attention whilst indulging in insane actions whilst driving.
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 14:41
Not what should you do, rather a general comment on people that pay so little attention whilst indulging in insane actions whilst driving.
People will make mistakes when driving - some more avoidable than others for sure - but I doubt that you can remove all the distractions from every driver all the time, so I don't think there is much you can do except make an attempt to avoid them when (or preferably slightly before) they career into your path.
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 15:01
The same can be said for riders then. Maybe this poor woman had just been distracted and could not pay full attention to the driver coming from behind, and what she was doing with her nails. If she was paying full attention then she could have put her escape plan into place. I do wonder what the road layout was and how the rider could have avoided this. Presumeably being stopped at a set of lights we are talking a junction with crossing traffic of some sort? What escape plan would be adviseable in this situation I wonder?
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 15:14
The same can be said for riders then.
I think so. What escape plan would be adviseable in this situation I wonder?
Get of of the way.
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 15:19
What amuses me in reports like this is the statement: "Police have confirmed she was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash." It's as if the victim had not been wearing the helmet then it might have provided some form of excuse for the accident.
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 15:30
@ <a href="http://www.visordown.com/localiser/member.asp?sp=&v=4&MemNo=133968" title="Visit FJSRiDER. member profile">FJSRiDER.</a> Where would you advise going in this situation? IF and i stress IF the situation is as i describe above what exactly would you do?
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 15:35
Sorry I mweant without the junk, @ FJSRiDER Where would you advise going in this situation? IF and i stress IF the situation is as i describe above what exactly would you do?
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 15:39
Where would you advise going in this situation?
Left, right or forward. Out of the way. Wherever it might be 'safer' to be. IF and i stress IF the situation is as i describe above what exactly would you do?
In this case I don't know - but I've ridden through a red, turning left into the stream of traffic to avoid a probable rear-ender (the car locked up and ended up across the white line) and I've pulled out of a line of traffic at some temporary traffic lights and ended up alongside the car that was driven into.
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 15:44
Being relatively new to biking I ask this question as I generally do look in my mirrors whilst sat at lights . However saying that I am not sure I'd react fast enough if a speeding car came straight at me whilst there was crossing traffic in front of me. How did the: "but I've ridden through a red, turning left into the stream of traffic to avoid a probable rear-ender (the car locked up and ended up across the white line)" episode work out ? Obviously I'm hoping you (and bike) were ok!!
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 15:56
Being relatively new to biking I ask this question as I generally do look in my mirrors whilst sat at lights . However saying that I am not sure I'd react fast enough if a speeding car came straight at me whilst there was crossing traffic in front of me.
I've been riding for 30 years but you can never afford to get bored while looking out for things that seem a 'bit odd'. How did the:"but I've ridden through a red, turning left into the stream of traffic to avoid a probable rear-ender (the car locked up and ended up across the white line)" episode work out ? Obviously I'm hoping you (and bike) were ok!! Fine. I just slipped into the flow of traffic that wasn't going that quickly and pulled in on the left (as I really wanted to turn right) which is how I got to see where they ended up.
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 16:23
Good! What do you ride out of curiosity?
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 16:28
What do you ride out of curiosity?
Out of choice I ride the Voyager.
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 16:31
The SCL Voyager or Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager? I'm in work and the link you provided is blocked unfortunately. I see you have the SCL as an avatar if this is what you ride what is it like?I thought (not that I know anything about this bike really) they were concept bikes. Looks really interesting to say the least.
Posted: 05/05/2009 at 16:44
Just un-FRIGGIN' believable! I don't know how things are "over there"... but I am absolutely sick of reading or hearing about people doing everything BUT driving when they're behind the wheel... Cell phones, texting, putting on make up, reading, eating... Hell, we had a guy get busted for watching pornos while "driving" a while back... Where or when does it stop!??
If I'm the judge hearing this case... I throw the maximum sentence for Vehicular Homicide at this bitch.... Give her plenty of time to do her nails... behind bars... You're in a two ton (or tonne) car for God's sake... misused and it's a weapon... Throw the murdering bastards in jail and let them rot... Maybe people will finally wake up and act responsibily... I'm not holding my breath on it though...
Posted: 06/05/2009 at 09:08
This story has been posted simply because it is very unusual. It is also worth remembering that common hospital infections, MRSA, CDiff and the like, kill more than 10 times those killed on the roads each year.
Posted: 06/05/2009 at 09:18
This really is a prime example of the difference between a caged up car driver and a motorcyclist. Not really. Dopey bikers run into the back of cars in traffic queues quite commonly. Sometimes while admiring their reflection in shop windows!
You don't hear of many that kill the driver though do you?
Posted: 06/05/2009 at 12:08
This really is a prime example of the difference between a caged up car driver and a motorcyclist. Not really. Dopey bikers run into the back of cars in traffic queues quite commonly. Sometimes while admiring their reflection in shop windows!
You don't hear of many that kill the driver though do you?
No, but if the driver is a MILF, the rider bums her into the middle of next week, obviously, which is a fate worse than death.
Posted: 06/05/2009 at 12:49
Christ what do you say to something like this ??
Keep your eyes on what is coming up in your mirrors when you have stopped and plan an escape route?
Spot on FJS... don't trust the bastards - any of 'em (see copper killed by tractor post)
Posted: 06/05/2009 at 13:14
> This story has been posted simply because it is very unusual.< WRONG!! This story is becoming more and more common every day! >It is also worth remembering that common hospital infections, MRSA, CDiff and the like, kill more than 10 times those killed on the roads each year.< Justifying an innocent road users death by using "comparable statistics" absolutely misses the point and is an insult to the victim and her family... and to any rider, injured or killed by such stupid actions while behind the wheel...
Posted: 06/05/2009 at 14:58
WRONG!! This story is becoming more and more common every day!
How so? We are getting fewer and fewer road deaths year on year. Perhaps the numbers are not as good as they could be - but there are fewer KSI'ed while the numbers of people on the road have grown... So you are going to need to find some evidence to support that idea. Justifying an innocent road users death by using "comparable statistics" absolutely misses the point and is an insult to the victim and her family...
Not at all. I was putting the single death in proportion. and to any rider, injured or killed by such stupid actions while behind the wheel...
Lazy, victim mentality. Boo-hoo.
Posted: 06/05/2009 at 15:44
>How so? We are getting fewer and fewer road deaths year on year. Perhaps the numbers are not as good as they could be - but there are fewer KSI'ed while the numbers of people on the road have grown... So you are going to need to find some evidence to support that idea.< "Over here" in the US, where the "accident" actually happened, motorcycle fatalities are CLIMBING... not decreasing... There is the usual government hysteria about the need for helmet laws, etc., etc. as the answer to combat climbing death numbers... rather than getting drivers to be more responsible and aware drivers... The percentage of car/motorcycle accidents account for around half of all motorcycle deaths in the US. With the auto driver responsible for well over 90% of the accidents and deaths... So then, maybe it is actually you, that should find some evidence to support your ideas.... BTW, it would help if you actually knew which country this MURDER happened in... > Not at all. I was putting the single death in proportion. < There is NO "putting this single death in proportion"... This death is attributable to only one FACT... the driver was NEGLIGENT.... If the driver of the auto had SIMPLY been doing the RIGHT THING... and PAYING ATTENTION to the task at hand, instead of painting her nails, this death would NOT have happened... It IS that simple... There is NO way to excuse or proportioning this senseless death... >Lazy, victim mentality. Boo-hoo.< Gee, I'm glad you're so casual about a senseless death and its effect on the victims family... I can only hope that you "reap what you sow".... G'day Mate....
Posted: 07/05/2009 at 00:16
of course we've all made mistakes in our lifes, but i for one have never put anyone else life on the line --- and i reckon that anyone who comes to our country in any way and commits a crime should be given a prison sentence and once they've served it they should be shipped back to their own country... if u are prepared to smuggle drugs u shud be prepared to face the sentence of that counrty --- even if it means a death sentence ... UNFORTUNATLY we dont have the death penalty in england --- anyway back to samantha orbator --- will she be getting FREE legal aid? paid for by the british taxpayers? or will her mother be paying? thats the mother she hasnt seen for a year and a half!!! and no doubt she will be inundated with do-gooders ..!!!! What do you ride out of curiosity?
Out of choice I ride the Voyager.
I thought (not that I know anything about this bike really) they were concept bikes.
It is/was - I have one of the five pre-production prototypes made in the late 80's.
they have come a long way, apparently
Posted: 07/05/2009 at 06:28
"Over here" in the US, where the "accident" actually happened, motorcycle fatalities are CLIMBING... not decreasing... (Again) have you a link to any data that actually supports that? The percentage of car/motorcycle accidents account for around half of all motorcycle deaths in the US. With the auto driver responsible for well over 90% of the accidents and deaths... So then, maybe it is actually you, that should find some evidence to support your ideas.... BTW, it would help if you actually knew which country this MURDER happened in...
Well, I'd be surprised if the proportions of incidents were very different over there. @65% of all motorcycle incidents are down to mistakes from the rider alone (see the data here and here) Gee, I'm glad you're so casual about a senseless death and its effect on the victims family... That is not my point - although I have no connection with the 'victim' or the family whatsoever I would not expect them to grieve for me either - but then you don't seem to grasp that absolving responsibility to others gives you a 'victim mentality' and that because you are focusing on a tiny proportion of the problem (partly because you seem to be both ill-informed and rather ignorant) you are missing the big picture. I can only hope that you "reap what you sow"....
So do I. I take responsibility for what I do on my bike. I take care to pay attention to what is happening around me and act on what I see. If I have another, my next crash will also be my fault - just as all the others have been. G'day Mate....
BTW I'm not Australian and you're not my someone I'd want as a 'mate'.
Posted: 07/05/2009 at 09:00
me too, he'd never avoid my rear -ender. . . . i'd be spuds deep before a condescending comment even oppoed into his head. btw - if i ever see one of them Voyagers, i'm gonna kick the fucker over cos I have a 20% chance of annoying him
Posted: 07/05/2009 at 12:12
me too, he'd never avoid my rear -ender. . . . i'd be spuds deep before a condescending comment even oppoed into his head. btw - if i ever see one of them Voyagers, i'm gonna kick the fucker over cos I have a 20% chance of annoying him
Fuck off and die you pathetic little wanker.
Posted: 07/05/2009 at 14:33
For 2 years I used to ride from Derby to London almost daily, and you do soon develop an arsenal of techniques to best protect yourself from stuff like this, especially in the city centre. The best thing to do I have found is (if there is a car stopped at a red light in front of you) is to let it stop, then pull up to either side of it(depending which is safer - and I know that's gonna provoke all sortrs of criticism lol) and stop you rear wheel half a foot or so ahead of the rar of the car. Then if the next car back is gonna shunt anyone, the car'll take the brunt of it. In built up areas I'm sure most of us tend to filter up to the head of the queue anyhow, and so this 'habit' has it's built-in safety with regards to rear-end shunts. If there is no car ahead of you, like you've just done the above and so are first away from the lights and then the next set turn red, I usually stop close enough to the stop line so I can see the primary lights without having to strain my neck, but if there is a little concrete island that the traffic light is cemented into, then I'll pull up to that and rest my left foot on it,covering the foot brake whilst still in gear, and twist to the right a bit so i can actually look at the car(s) approaching from behind. The sight of a biker doing that will really draw appraoching vehicles' attention to you, and so really affirming your presence. OR..... Stop well short of the line, and allow the leading car to pass you and come to a halt, then slide up to the position I described initially. I've done this, and the leading car has been shunted from behind by a bus. You can bet your pants that had I ridden as one would under test conditions, that bus woulda all over my arse lol But even this type of defensive riding, can't save you from a high speed pile-up if some idiot is doing 4-50mph and plouhs into the first few stationary vehicles. And so I guess the best tactic is to get ahead, slide up to the concrete island ( still do this even if there isn't one) and then do the twist around thing and stare at the aproaching vehiclers. AT least that way you'll see a developing crisis and have the option to bin the bike and leap to safety; quite a few seconds advantage over the cage drivers. This woman probably had ridden like you would in a test situation, and she died for doing nothing wrong. So the next time you feel guilty about sliding up to the front of the queue ahead of 4 wheelers, tell yourself it's not just to 'get ahead' but mainly for safety and protection. Anyone else do this?
Posted: 07/05/2009 at 19:31
Shit happens - it's the USA for fuck sake. Here.... let me out some perspective on this matter.... 10.9 million children under five die in developing countries each year. Malnutrition and hunger-related diseases cause 60 percent of the deaths;
(Source: The State of the World's Children, UNICEF, 2007) Now just think how many of them could have become motorcyclists.
Posted: 07/05/2009 at 20:52
For 2 years I used to ride from Derby to London almost daily, and you do soon develop an arsenal of techniques to best protect yourself from stuff like this, ....... So the next time you feel guilty about sliding up to the front of the queue ahead of 4 wheelers, tell yourself it's not just to 'get ahead' but mainly for safety and protection. Anyone else do this?
Sure. But I don't 'feel guily' about getting to the front of any traffic queue (but I try to do it without annoying other road users).
Posted: 08/05/2009 at 07:55
Can't believe you do anything without trying to annoy people . . .you're like chlymidea, and i care not a toss if that's spelt wrong.
Posted: 08/05/2009 at 09:11
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