Current theme of knobheads in cars

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Binky

Über Member
Again though, this is a societal issue. Motorists aren't expected to take responsibility individually for safe roads. Cyclists shouldn't either
I like to take the view that individuals whether in a car or on a bike or a pedestrian etc have a responsibility to the safety of themselves and others.
It's a pipe dream though to ever expect everyone will do so but we can only do what we can.
 

All uphill

Still rolling along
Location
Somerset
I had a phase of getting myself all worked up about emotorbikes, close passes, pavement parking and spent time and energy reporting them. I also challenged quite a few people doing illegal things. Then I realised I was destroying my enjoyment and doing my blood pressure no good; I wasn't changing the world.
I was Mr Daily Mail.

For the last few years I have focussed on good observation and anticipation, clear signals and good road positioning.

Life is so much more pleasant.
 

Binky

Über Member
I had a phase of getting myself all worked up about emotorbikes, close passes, pavement parking and spent time and energy reporting them. I also challenged quite a few people doing illegal things. Then I realised I was destroying my enjoyment and doing my blood pressure no good; I wasn't changing the world.
I was Mr Daily Mail.

For the last few years I have focussed on good observation and anticipation, clear signals and good road positioning.

Life is so much more pleasant.

No matter how observant you are or how well positioned you are unfortunately there are still idiots on the road who could endanger you.
Hence I don't get worked up, I report them and let the police deal with them. I'd imagine a few drivers got their blood pressure raised along with their insurance premiums after their licence was endorsed with points.

However, each to their own. If life is better for you as it is then kudos to you.
 

midlandsgrimpeur

Senior Member
No matter how observant you are or how well positioned you are unfortunately there are still idiots on the road who could endanger you.
Hence I don't get worked up, I report them and let the police deal with them. I'd imagine a few drivers got their blood pressure raised along with their insurance premiums after their licence was endorsed with points.

However, each to their own. If life is better for you as it is then kudos to you.

Out of interest, do you ever get any feedback from Police about action taken when you have reported incidents?
 
Interesting behaviour of car drivers on the High Street here today

I was going to a shop that is at the end of the street
that end is about 1/2 mile long with traffic lights at the far end that only go to the back of some shops left and right
after that is is all pedestrianised
so basically anyone going along that road has to come back again the same way

my wife's hairdresser is on that section as is, more importantly, the LBS

anyway - infront of those shops there is a single white line - which people often park on anyway
but there seems to be a convention to only park on one side

This measn that the road narrows to the extent that cars can only pass these shops in one direction at a time for about 100 yards or so

anyway - I was wlking towards the shop I wanted and I realised that there was a long line of cars stationary coming towards me

and behind me there were 3-4 cars also stationary
both ends being withing the "one way at a time" section
so they were stuck until someone did something

technically the cars behind me had right of way as the cars were parked on the other side

and the cars coming towards me were about 15 in numbers - 3 or 4 behind me


so I went to the shop I was headed for
talked to the guy in the shop
checked a few things
ordered some things

and left

and they were all still there
the 3/4 were just starting to drive up onto the pavement to make room for the others to pass

so it started clearing slowly

but that all started by one person deciding that they were entitled to go first
and someone else deciding that they were going to assert THEIR rights

even though it would screw up the whole system


(of course - people could have avoided parking on the yellow line - but they always do so that is another story - with similarities!)
 

wiggydiggy

Legendary Member
Interesting behaviour of car drivers on the High Street here today

I was going to a shop that is at the end of the street
that end is about 1/2 mile long with traffic lights at the far end that only go to the back of some shops left and right
after that is is all pedestrianised
so basically anyone going along that road has to come back again the same way

my wife's hairdresser is on that section as is, more importantly, the LBS

anyway - infront of those shops there is a single white line - which people often park on anyway
but there seems to be a convention to only park on one side

This measn that the road narrows to the extent that cars can only pass these shops in one direction at a time for about 100 yards or so

anyway - I was wlking towards the shop I wanted and I realised that there was a long line of cars stationary coming towards me

and behind me there were 3-4 cars also stationary
both ends being withing the "one way at a time" section
so they were stuck until someone did something

technically the cars behind me had right of way as the cars were parked on the other side

and the cars coming towards me were about 15 in numbers - 3 or 4 behind me


so I went to the shop I was headed for
talked to the guy in the shop
checked a few things
ordered some things

and left

and they were all still there
the 3/4 were just starting to drive up onto the pavement to make room for the others to pass

so it started clearing slowly

but that all started by one person deciding that they were entitled to go first
and someone else deciding that they were going to assert THEIR rights

even though it would screw up the whole system


(of course - people could have avoided parking on the yellow line - but they always do so that is another story - with similarities!)

Its a tale as old as time, driver 1 thinks they have right of way, driver 2 thinks they have right of way.....

I'll always remember this video:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TR4iBC_iaw&t=1s
 

Binky

Über Member
Out of interest, do you ever get any feedback from Police about action taken when you have reported incidents?

Yes. Most are just an email saying Positive Action Taken. I haven't chased these up but it'll be either a warning letter or driving awareness course etc.
However, if the driver gets taken to court then I get a letter saying case whether resolved or not. In all but one case the driver has pleaded guilty and so I am informed of what happened. Most cases 3,4,5 etc points on licence and fines ranging from £300 to £800 plus victim surcharge. Note I don't get said surcharge, that is basically in effect another fine which is levied onto driver.
If a driver goes to court and pleads not guilty then another court date is arranged and this time I am summoned as a witness. This is happening for an incident I reported earlier this year and in Sept I'll be attending court and giving evidence.

I've sent in 60 clips of close passes etc and all bar 2 had action taken against driver by the police. In the 2 incidents they didn't, 1 was because the driver was from the channel Islands and police here don't have juristication there and the other was deemed NFA as pass was deemed not bad enough.
10 were taken to court and had fines and points on licence.
 
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roubaixtuesday

self serving virtue signaller
Yup - only way to sort it out really

There was a white van parked some way back behind the 3-4 cars just sitting there watching

only person driving sensibly!!

Yeah, on my road, which has a series of chicanes with parking, rather than wait for traffic it's routine for people to just drive on the pavement to make the road two way when there isn't space. Drives me nuts - they could just wait, but no.
 
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