addictfreak
Guru
- Location
- Boldon, Tyne and Wear
If I reported every close pass to the police, I would never be away from the police station.
Another dithery old man.
- Thread starter Matthew_T
- Start date
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Of course, the age band that are most likely to have just passed their test and be aware of the highway code are the ones that need retesting on a regular basis...
There's close, then there's close mate, the second vid Matt posted more than warrants a trip to the local cop shop IMO.
Thomk
Guru
- Location
- Warwickshire
This was very very close. But forget about reporting it though unless you have in fact already done so. Not sure what to make of you Matt. Are you winding us up??? PS HNY!!!
OP
OP
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
I'm not winding anyone up.
I am also amazed that some of you are saying "Don't report the second one". Did you see how close he was? IMH...
And I dont go reporting every incident on my day to the police. The last one I reported over the phone was a few months ago, and I had a nice chat with some local bobbies about a driver who went through a red light and saluted me with his finger (they seemed very genuine and were keeping an eye on a club) a few days ago.
There are very few times where I can actually be bothered to report someone, and it is usually when they get out of the vehicle and approach me.
I am also amazed that some of you are saying "Don't report the second one". Did you see how close he was? IMH...
And I dont go reporting every incident on my day to the police. The last one I reported over the phone was a few months ago, and I had a nice chat with some local bobbies about a driver who went through a red light and saluted me with his finger (they seemed very genuine and were keeping an eye on a club) a few days ago.
There are very few times where I can actually be bothered to report someone, and it is usually when they get out of the vehicle and approach me.
Globalti
Legendary Member
Well, all I can say is that I'm glad I don't commute by bike if commuting life is so full of frightening incidents. Where I ride, drivers are respectful and will wait so long to pass that I become embarrassed; they then pass wide and slow and tootle on their way. The only time I've received abuse has been when I've been out in a bunch of riders, some of whom have been militantly aggressive about their rights on the road.
OP
OP
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
Exactly the same happened to me today:
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
Now that WAS a dreadful piece of driving !
MontyVeda
a short-tempered ill-controlled small-minded troll
- Location
- Lancaster... the little city.
Agreed... but when most drivers glance to the right when entering a roundabout, all they're looking for is car or bus or van. something skinny like a bike is easily missed. Even relatively fat motorcycles were so frequently not being noticed they had a Bike Aware campaign years ago. Those nice little ads on TV, warning drivers to check for motorbikes, and advising motorcyclists to use their headlamp, even in the day time.
I guess we need another Bike Aware campaign... but with all these cuts, it's not likely.
'Passing the test' and normal driving have little in common. The point of the test is that the driver is completed dedicated into satisfying the examiner that he/she can drive competently, safely and obey ALL the rules of the road.
As we well now that for most drivers the rules of the road are purely optional if the eyes of the law are not watching. That's why the supposed tightening up on the test has little effect once the full license is issued and re-testing is largely a waste of time. They can drive competently and safely but choose not to or lose the incentive to do so.
With the exception that re-testing (and fear real or imagined of failure and its consequences) is a great deterrent. We fine people often, ban for short periods infrequently but very rarely require them to re-test. Introducing a penalty fee based re-test after any ban would surely be politically acceptable and concentrate a few minds. But minds that matter.
As for the elderly then regular independent eyes/reaction/reasoning tests by a quack, say, every 5 years after 75 will retire folks as their faculties fall below an acceptable level. Re-testing would be difficult as the style of driving taught and tested today is quite different from older days. The style may not be important in safety terms but would make it quite difficult for an experienced and safe driver to have to relearn basic stuff. (Like riding the clutch which is anathema to those used to those old clutches that quickly burnt out). And probably making them more unsafe while they overcome harmless instinct.
As we well now that for most drivers the rules of the road are purely optional if the eyes of the law are not watching. That's why the supposed tightening up on the test has little effect once the full license is issued and re-testing is largely a waste of time. They can drive competently and safely but choose not to or lose the incentive to do so.
With the exception that re-testing (and fear real or imagined of failure and its consequences) is a great deterrent. We fine people often, ban for short periods infrequently but very rarely require them to re-test. Introducing a penalty fee based re-test after any ban would surely be politically acceptable and concentrate a few minds. But minds that matter.
As for the elderly then regular independent eyes/reaction/reasoning tests by a quack, say, every 5 years after 75 will retire folks as their faculties fall below an acceptable level. Re-testing would be difficult as the style of driving taught and tested today is quite different from older days. The style may not be important in safety terms but would make it quite difficult for an experienced and safe driver to have to relearn basic stuff. (Like riding the clutch which is anathema to those used to those old clutches that quickly burnt out). And probably making them more unsafe while they overcome harmless instinct.
OP
OP
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
The slight difference with this situation is that I had a car right behind me on the roundabout (not tailgating), so I still dont understand why the driver failed to see them.
I am probably the smallest cyclist in the world (thinnest) and could not have been blocking his sight (I was wearing a bright yellow hi-viz jacket, so he would have seen that).
I am probably the smallest cyclist in the world (thinnest) and could not have been blocking his sight (I was wearing a bright yellow hi-viz jacket, so he would have seen that).
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
You could have been dressed in a flashing Mr Blobby costume and carrying a Belisha beacon - I bet that cockwomble would still have pulled out on you.
