Car swerves at me - deliberately?

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Can't be sure about the 'deliberately', but earlier today I was shaking like a leaf.

No damage done but scary. Situation: car coming towards me at speed on otherwise empty road. Suddenly it veered onto my side of road, then just as suddenly veered back. I could swear the two youthful occupants were grinning at me. But was it done for fun, a bit of intimidation, or was it a momentary lapse of attention by the driver - which he corrected in time?

Didn't look like a driver dozing off situation: in such situations, from my experience, the car gradually drifts over to the wrong side, not a sudden change of direction. Until the driver wakes up that is, then he swerves back.

And here's the irony: a few minutes later the same car passed me, this time going the same way as me: this time his overtaking was impeccable, no complaints at all. Maybe he saw me stop and get out my phone: maybe he turned round and demonstrated that he could pass a cyclist safely, as a way of expiating his earlier sin? And persuading me not to shop him? By that time, the road was busy and I was back on the bike. I hadn't made any phone call, just noted down the registration.

The shaking started later. Delayed shock, I think they call it. I'm all right now. ;)

I can't really shop him, despite having the reg. number and description. Not enough to pin on him.
 

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
Scary! I'd say it sounds deliberate (The fact that they were grinning at you), and maybe you did spook them getting the phone out. Odd.... Glad you're ok, anyway.

Strong cup of tea, that's what you need.
 

thomas

the tank engine
Location
Woking/Norwich
661-Pete said:
The shaking started later. Delayed shock, I think they call it. I'm all right now. ;)

Hopefully it wasn't intentional, as it wasn't funny, but I've no idea. Glad nothing happened and you're okay now. Probably best just to move on and forget about it if you can.
 

Glow worm

Legendary Member
Location
Near Newmarket
661-Pete said:
Yup, that is my intention. Thanks.

My V heavy D lock is always within easy reach for such occasions. Glad you are OK- good advice to forget about it though. I had a chav try to knock me off yesterday coming home. I'd forgotten about it until I read this thread!:laugh:
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
Nothing surprises me anymore. I think there are as many psycho drivers out there as ones who are so bad they are dangerous.

About 10 years ago I had a WVM close pass me. In my then relative youth I shouted at WVM. The van span round up ahead and came back toward me. At about 30 yrds in front he swerved right across the road at me squeezing me into the gutter. As the thug, white skin head about 22 years old, went by, he shouted hateful abuse and gesticulated at me through his half wit open window. Absolutely terrifying, although I had the last laugh as, as he went by, I smacked his large wing mirror which smashed against the side of his van :laugh:.

A couple of days a go I was driving along a rural road coming out of small village. Approaching me was a small red car being driven down the middle of the road when it is a road with easily enough space for two buses to pass side by side without slowing. Anyway this car as it approached me drifted more on to my side. I flashed the headlights on and hand on the horn to warn the other driver but still it headed toward me. I swerved onto the verge to avoid a head on. Driving the little red car I saw was a large crumpled hat just like a cartoon one, underneath which was a senile looking old biddy oblivious to the world around her :ohmy:!!!!!
 

Spinney

Bimbleur extraordinaire
Location
Back up north
Crankarm said:
A couple of days a go I was driving along a rural road coming out of small village. Approaching me was a small red car being driven down the middle of the road when it is a road with easily enough space for two buses to pass side by side without slowing. Anyway this car as it approached me drifted more on to my side. I flashed the headlights on and hand on the horn to warn the other driver but still it headed toward me. I swerved onto the verge to avoid a head on. Driving the little red car I saw was a large crumpled hat just like a cartoon one, underneath which was a senile looking old biddy oblivious to the world around her :laugh:!!!!!

Did you get the reg - she should be reported. It might be a cyclist next time, who may not see her coming up from behind...
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
You know what the coppers say. "The villian always returns to the scene of the crime".

They just can't help it.
 

Sheffield_Tiger

Legendary Member
Had similar a while back, unfortunately self-preservation kicks in over and above the recording of digits on a plate.

Was new to clipless at the time too, so afterwards cursed my lack of thought about that handy chunk of metal bolted to the bottom of my shoe - it was such a SHINY car...

Nevermind, I'll remember next time.
 
Three cars at Walthamstow tonight ....a bit of dodgy driving and the stink of grass but I couldn't tell which car the drug smell came from but it was really strong.Very worrying IMO.
 

mknash

Active Member
This swerving at bikes thing is getting ridiculous. Though often said in jest, it seems that now even the most mild mannered people joke about liking to give cyclists a "little scare". This has happened a couple of times to me over the past year or so.

'er indoors recently had an altercation with a 60 year old secretary at her work who was making gags about it, "to keep them on their toes". the missus told her that she will remember that info for the inevitable manslaughter trial.

Could it be that what is still most probably humour to many has bled into a fun thing to do for others?
 
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