Avoiding the Right Hook

By
Richard E. "Rich" Corbett,
Certified Master Cycling Instructor & Senior Regional Trainer
Platinum 2008 Steering Committee Chair

What is a right hook? If you don't know, you should! A right hook is when a motorist passes you, brakes, and then turns right in front of you, causing or almost causing a collision. Most often, you run into them, but only after they have broken the law by cutting you off.

Recently there have been several of these crashes, and, sadly, the police do not always understand the physics of this classic motorist fault crash. So you need to know some basics as to 1) how to prevent them from happening, 2) how to avoid them as they begin to develop, and 3) what to do if you still get cut off by a $#$%$ motorist who does not know basic traffic law and courtesy.

Prevention
Be aware of the intersections and drives on your route that people regularly turn at, and watch (with a rear view mirror) as you approach these, and if you see a motorist coming from the rear whose arrival timing might put them in conflict with you, do two things: 1) put your left hand/arm out in a slowing/moving left signal (hand and arm straight, pointed at about a 45o angle to the left), then 2) move a foot or two to the left to emphasize your presence. Motorists who are going to turn right will almost always slow and go behind you, and those who are going thru the intersection will move left a little and pass you.

Avoidance
Be prepared, as you approach these locations to brake and or swerve/turn to the right, if someone sneaks past your prevention measures. This means you must be extra alert as you cycle, especially as you approach intersections and driveways. You don't need to be fearful, just alert. Emergency braking (do you know how to do this?), and/or a quick turn to the right (do you know how to do this?) can stop or steer you out of the path of an illegally turning motorist. Both these maneuvers are taught in the LAB Road I Course (see the August Update for the upcoming classes for GABA members).

Mitigation/follow-up
If all your efforts fail, hopefully you are smart enough to be wearing a helmet, and that you strike the offending vehicle at as shallow an angle as possible (the quick turn will let you either avoid the collision or hit it at a very shallow angle).

If a crash occurs, and if police respond, be sure to ask the Officer "Have you had any special training in bicycle-motor vehicle crash investigation?" If they answer no then ask if an officer with such training could carry out the crash investigation.

Summary

• Ride aware - know what is gong on around you and think 'what if' as you ride along- know what you will do if various, predictable things happen.
  
  
• Be prepared - know how to do emergency braking, and quick turns, as these two maneuvers can save you.
  
  
• Know what to ask - be sure to ask any police officer who responds if they have had the special training to be able to do a competent crash investigation.

Ride safer by doing these things and your cycling will be more enjoyable, as you will ride with confidence, not fear.