I was reading a copy of Superbike magazine from back in the “summer” and was rather appalled to see pictures of Brandon White’s horrific accident reprinted, ostensibly as a “warning” on road safety. This from a magazine that seems to actually encourage high speed riding. I don’t believe anybody unrelated to the accident or Brandon’s family needs to see these pictures.
Brandon was a 25 year old American, who hit the back of a “semi” (big truck to all the UK readers) after it changed lanes in front of him. It is believed that Brandon was traveling at 120 MPH, and if the truck was doing 50, then that’s pretty much like hitting a wall at 70 MPH. Suffice it to say, Brandon did not live to tell the tale. Thankfully, he probably felt nothing, but that may be slim consolation for his family that now have to deal with the pictures whizzing around the Internet and being printed in magazines and newspapers.
These same magazines all showed utmost respect when Craig Jones (a British racer) died in an on-track accident recently, printing beautiful eulogies to a “great man”. I’m sure Craig Jones was a great man, but the people writing these articles don’t necessarily know that any more than they know Brandon White wasn’t a great man. He certainly does not deserve to be ridiculed in this way.
Even more upsetting are the various posts in forums by sub-humans with a morbid desire to intrude upon another individual’s death. There are even posts in one forum (that I found thanks to Google) expressing disappointment because the photos of Brandon hanging limply from the back of a truck are not gruesome enough.
The only good that can come from his brutal end being publicised is that others will think more carefully about their own road safety. Anyone who rides a powerful motorcycle knows that a flick of the wrist and a few seconds are all that stand between rider and speeds our ancestors could only dream of. Empty straight highway? 120MPH? Not a problem. Take the same highway and add a few slow-moving vehicles and 120MPH is likely to result in what happened to young Mr White. Arbitrary speed limits or limited bikes may be the answer for the ignorant few, but for most sensible riders, they just need to ensure that their speed does not wildly exceed the speed of those traveling around them, and that the speed they choose to travel at is appropriate for the road and weather conditions.
Brandon White has been severely punished for his mis-judgment, whereas many other (probably less worthy) individuals will get away with it. For now.
The human body is a fragile thing, comprised mostly of water. It cannot survive high speed impacts. The seasoned rider will be acutely aware of this fact, without being morbidly obsessed with it, and will temper his riding accordingly.
Whether Brandon White was at fault or not in his accident is irrelevant to his family who were not in any way responsible for his actions, and deserve to be treated with respect and allowed to grieve in peace. I certainly am sorry for their loss and I sincerely hope that I don’t see any similar pictures the next time I open a bike magazine for a quiet morning read.
For now, the sun is out (!) and I have my GSX1100F back from the garage, so I’m heading out to enjoy my motorcycle. At safe speeds, of course. 
Sir,firstly i would like to say and send my deepist condolences to the famillie.
Now to the topic at hand,i my self am a bike rider,of 18years,and have a few friends who have been riding longer then that,in a way,i must in parts aggree,but innsome disaggree with you.even do its not a nice thing to see.
But,i beleive to stop people (with respeckt) killing them self’s by acting like a super hero on a motobike,the need in some aspeckt see what happends to them if they do not firstly respeckt them self’s *how easy it can take to get hurt* also that a bike and a car or truck can be replaced, a survay taken in 2006 in the uk,where accidents involved was with local buses,yes the highist rate of accidents was with a bus,why as car drivers alone where not paying attention,now if they cant see a bus,i doupt they will see a motobike,and the way some people ride,is bejond explaining,riders need to learn,*if need be by harsch and graphic pcitures like these.Then hopefully they will respeckt there bike,other road users,and also take more care of them selfs,(wearing the correct equitment( clear visor at night),not speeding (keeping to the correct speed limit).And respeckting and using correct observation.
Now in the report he was doing 120miles a hour,now unless they had some sort of speed camara or someone is the best judge in the world ,i find it a little bit hard to beleive,however,one shall never know but we need to remember a impact with that speed,would have gave him no chance,also may i ask of the lighting as ,did not the truck have lights on,(where they clean and visible from a distance)??? what type of viser was Mr white wearing on his helmet,if it was tented,then that is also a facter ,in the course of the accident.
In regards of publisising the pictures ok,i would have not put them in the news paper,but i beleive they could be used in a insturtiv manner such like in a CBT(compolcerie bike training)course,where riders (new) can see what happends if you belive to be indistructible.
there are so many facters to tak into account here,but putting these pictures up,may offend alot of people,and sadly upset the famillie,but i beleive the famillie of Mr white would not want anyone else to die,the way there son did.
I hope the comment does not offend,is not meant to offend.
anyway,may he rest in peace,and a prayer to the famillie
regards
therogue