Doing The Right Thing

[Wagterd]

I might get flamed for the following post, but please read through it first.

I have a young cousin who's 18 with an '07 GSX-R 600. Never rides with any gear other than a helmet, and he's got a habit of putting more miles on the back tire than the front.

A little over a month ago he was riding through my hometown around 10 pm in a 35 MPH zone. He said he was doing about 70 when he saw the lights in his mirror. So he drops it to 2nd and rolls out of town on the other side of 100. The cop catches him in a construction zone outside of town. My cousin tried to evade a policeman, through a small town at night - without a MC license. The town cop knows our family and he let him go - STUPID.

Two days ago my grandfather called me to tell me about my cousin's latest high speed chase. This one was on the highway, and involved a police road block. My cousin somehow got around it, and took dirt roads home.

For those keeping score at home - this is two times evading police in the last 6 weeks or so, and he told me he's done it twice last summer.

Not that I'm an angel, but this kid just won't slow down, and he obviously doesn't use his head or any gear. I've ridden with him a few times and he scares me. I really think he'll end up 6 feet under if he keeps it up. He's young and invincible.

I called the state police and ratted him out. I gave them his address, phone number etc. I asked them to watch the road he lives on and get him for speeding (which he always does). So did I do the right thing?

So far, the cops haven't got him yet, but I'd rather have him be mad at me and alive, then dead.

[RedAnt]

Well there is that rule amongst men 'though shall not rat' but in this case who am I to judge because I can't say I wouldn't have done the same regarding a loved one that's definately headed to the coroner's work bench if he doesn't wise up.

Your intentions are more than noble and I hope your cousin learns before it's too late.

[lg33kt]

fuck that shit. Good job man. That kid doesnt have any business on a bike. well done imo

[larkydozer]

Wagterd,

I think you did the right thing whether this was your relative or if it were another person you'd witnessed exhibiting the same behaviors.

Sometimes when people can't control themselves and are a danger to themselves, or others, you need to intervene.

I hope his future is a safe one.

[badgerking]

You did the right thing. I would have done the same.

[Poutanen]

+1 to everyone elses comment.... I'd hate being a rat, but some people need to have shit happen to wake up sometime... He'll thank you when he's 50 and still alive!

[Khyren]

I agree with the others, you did the right thing. Anyone that is blatantly that irresponsible will end up, as we have often said about squids, getting darwined out. Anything that you can do for a family member for that not to happen os a good thing. Hope that he finally learns a lesson, just not in the painfully bloody way.

Khyren

[Wagterd]

Thanks for your replies. I've never ratted out anyone before, and like I said, I was young and 'invincible' (to a much lesser extent) when I was younger too, so I understand what he's thinking.

On the other hand, I hope he doesn't act stupid and rebel and ride even faster out of spite.

I saw two scooter accidents on a holiday in Italy. You could tell they were very low speed wrecks, but after seeing what looked like a half gallon of blood on the pavement, I can only imagine what a 140 MPH low side with shorts and t shirt would look like. I don't want to attend a funeral, much less a closed casket service...

[TX-Aggie]

You did the right thing!

[chas4fz]

You did the right thing - trying to save a friend or relative from themselves sometimes takes a little intervention. Even if he never agrees, you should be able to sleep knowing you did him a favor, and better for him to get the wake up call earlier than later.

[PETSHOPBOY]

id do the same thing for family

[ddlloyd]

go to sleep with the knowledge that you did the right thing. it may feel like you are violating the guy code of never ratting someone out, and i'm definitely not someone that thinks we should all nanny everyone, but in this case not only was he a danger to himself but to everyone else. i hope that he wises up real fast, sometimes some people need a smack down with the cops for that to happen.

good job though.

[badgerking]

What's this guy code crap? No one owes any type of solidarity to anyone that does stupid shit, whether its on a motorcycle or some dumbass fucking around on his wife. We used to have sock parties to handle that kind of behavior...

[Ducksridingbikes]

i hope your cousin grows up before he gets hurt

[ktravelet]

+1 one on being responsible, You definitely did the right thing. How bad would it make you feel if something happens to him, if you wouldnt have tried at all to help him