ASL Crackdown

[benborp]

...anyway you shouldn't hesitate to think about traffic regs if they inhibit an emergency situation anyway.

I'm sorry, but as a cyclist I'm very much aware that you should. You need to know how best to facilitate the vehicles progress within the law and you need to know how the rules of the road constrain the options of the emergency vehicle's driver.
I've seen enough situations where drivers' only thoughts are on getting out of the way of emergency vehicles - they make rushed, unpredictable and illegal manoeuvres which create further hazards. Emergency vehicles still have to be driven within the law and their presence certainly doesn't extend an aura of exemption from the law around them.

http://www.bluelightaware.org.uk

 

[summerdays]

I'm sorry, but as a cyclist I'm very much aware that you should. You need to know how best to facilitate the vehicles progress within the law and you need to know how the rules of the road constrain the options of the emergency vehicle's driver.
I've seen enough situations where drivers' only thoughts are on getting out of the way of emergency vehicles - they make rushed, unpredictable and illegal manoeuvres which create further hazards. Emergency vehicles still have to be driven within the law and their presence certainly doesn't extend an aura of exemption from the law around them.

http://www.bluelightaware.org.uk

That was a useful video - whilst I knew most of it, there were certainly some points that I was unaware of.

 

[StuartG]

I'm sorry, but as a cyclist I'm very much aware that you should. You need to know how best to facilitate the vehicles progress within the law and you need to know how the rules of the road constrain the options of the emergency vehicle's driver.

Are you confusing two things? Deciding carefully not to adhere to traffic regulations to facilitate the passage of an emergency vehicle with that of endangering other people. If it does, you don't. If it does not, you should IMHO whether you are on two wheels or four. Otherwise you are possibly unnecessarily endangering person(s) at the scene of the emergency.

Do you really have a problem with this?

 

[VamP]

Like all things it depends on context. If a car is doing it to intimidate riders already in the box or prevent other riders from entering it or go too far forward to get around the vehicle then either a fine or a tap on the roof with your pump may be helpful

I like a little cleat tap dance on their bonnet.

 

[captain nemo1701]

Good news. It's a pet hate of mine... especially scooterists

Pet hate of mine too. Look at some of my videos and I get cut up by bikers who don't really understand the rules. Or some do, but choose to either ignore or 'misinterpret' them to their own advantage (I have got into 'debates' with the motorbiking fraternity over the legality of them entering the ASL. Some don't get it, even when you quote HC 178). I can appreciate that motorcyclists are also vulnerable road users, but many ride at 70mph or more on motorways so the risk to them in a traffic jam is very, very low - no need to enter the ASL.

I oppose them entering the ASL for the simple reason that as more powerful road users with an engine, they should not use the ASL as it only encouarges others and what happens when the zone is full of motorbikes?. Rather defeats the whole point of them. I have reached the conclusion that a lot of scooter/motorbike riders do it out of habit and get a bit upset when you point out they're wrong.



I also have had this happen twice at this junction. I clocked what he was about to do and so slowed down:

This guy entered from my right behind the ASL and moved over left to execute a right hand turn.
I note a lot of motorcyclists who do this seem to have L plates. And before anyone thinks I hate bikers, I don't. Just wish they'd follow the rules of the road like we all should.

 

[benborp]

Are you confusing two things? Deciding carefully not to adhere to traffic regulations to facilitate the passage of an emergency vehicle with that of endangering other people. If it does, you don't. If it does not, you should IMHO whether you are on two wheels or four. Otherwise you are possibly unnecessarily endangering person(s) at the scene of the emergency.

Do you really have a problem with this?

I'm not at all confused. Your statement "you shouldn't hesitate to think about traffic regs if they inhibit an emergency situation anyway" is not good advice. It's also considerably different to "deciding carefully not to adhere to traffic regulations" which is still not recommended. A calm, considered response is best, making drivers aware of this is the best way to cut down response times and reduces the risks of creating a second emergency. People aren't great at making decisions under unexpected pressure and for many the first thing they should be reminded to do is take a moment to think and one of the things they should think on is traffic regulations. Poor responses to blue lights slow down emergency vehicles and pose a particular threat to vulnerable road users, those are problems I would like to minimise.

The more people that watch the video the better, its advice is very clear.

http://www.bluelightaware.org.uk

 

[StuartG]

Ben - sorry you are not just getting it. In an emergency you do what you can to facilitate the safety of persons seen and unseen. If its thinking about "do I get fined or not" you have lost the plot. Worrying about regulations whose prime aim is to prevent one road user being an inconvenience or nuisance to another (which is what ASL and Yellow Boxes are about) are a great idea in normal times. In abnormal times the inconvenience isn't to other road users the traffic regs were designed for - but the emergency vehicle.

Having said that - one has to be especially careful that performing an unexpected doesn't contribute to any danger.

Ben - laws are for our good. You obey them to do good. When they are causing harm to others you have to consider whether you follow them. However, that is no carte blanche to do what you think is right. You should still have to account for your actions before others. If they don't agree you get fined. I like to believe that most organisations will respond to good mitigation most of the time. Some won't but nowt is perfect in this world starting with moi.

 

[Simon_m]

Good, but who is there to enforce this? There are no police, and if the police are about, its funny how motorbikes suddenly remember they are not meant to be in them. Also saw a cyclist jump a red light in Kennington with a police car there which did nothing.

 

[glenn forger]

CCTV.

 

[skudupnorth]

Not to bothered by it being enforced and by reading the comments in the article it's already the cyclists fault and not the goverment so we will feel the brunt of all the extra bitterness it will create !

 

[BentMikey]

Not to bothered by it being enforced and by reading the comments in the article it's already the cyclists fault and not the goverment so we will feel the brunt of all the extra bitterness it will create !

Nope, we will get an improved time on the roads. More enforcement leads to more awareness and better road behaviour, and more safety for us all. What we really need, though, is ten times the current level of traffic enforcement, and a whole lot less car culture letting drivers off easy in the courts. Fining for ASL use is a nice step in that direction.

Consequences work. Consequences really REALLY work.

 

[skudupnorth]

Nope, we will get an improved time on the roads. More enforcement leads to more awareness and better road behaviour, and more safety for us all. What we really need, though, is ten times the current level of traffic enforcement, and a whole lot less car culture letting drivers off easy in the courts. Fining for ASL use is a nice step in that direction.

Consequences work. Consequences really REALLY work.

I do hope something comes of it but as already seen,the motorist will blame the cyclist for daring to take up "Their" road space with boxes that may cause them to be charged more money Just like the fabled "Road tax" no matter what you say or write down in arguments,there is always going to be that group who will not believe the truth even if it's on Whitehall headed paper ! Time will tell

 

[BentMikey]

I think the government should be open about increasing traffic police enforcement and fines. It's a stupidity tax, to help with austerity measures. It's an easy tax to avoid, and it not only earns money (well, probably not really), but it saves huge money for society and the NHS by driving down deaths and injuries. Win win all round.

 

[martint235]

Don't really see the point of an ASL, why not just take your place in the traffic as a "normal" road user?

 

[Dan B]

Don't really see the point of an ASL, why not just take your place in the traffic as a "normal" road user?

If you're not already in the traffic (perhaps because you're a slow or unconfident cyclist riding in the gutter/cycle lane) and you wish to turn right at the junction, or to go straight on without being left-hooked, the ASL reservoir in principle provides a safe place to correct your error of positioning without being intimidated by WVM or Tony the Taxi.