Driver blindness - Never ceases to amaze me.

[TonyEnjoyD]

I went out on a 2-mile rcovery ride (had cardio procedure a week ago) to scope out a different route to/from work avoiding a 3/4 mile section of heavy traffic on narrow single lane area (Newcastle Hadricks Mill toward Findus for those that know the area).
I had to restrict myself to 2-miles so at .97 there was a roundabout about 100 yds agead and I thought I'd turn right onto a side street then come back out as cars were approaching and didn't want to 180 on a mini roundabout and slow them up.

Approaching the roundabout in hi-vis with front light on, I indcated well in advance, 2 cars approaching from opposite but well back so I went for the right turn as I had full right of way on the RBT... bloody woman just ignored me and plowed straight on forcing me to brake and swing wide.

How the feck did she not see me???

Anyhow, I continued to cycle home and felt fine so looking forward to building up my cardio and confidence to do the commute in a week or so's time ( getting a lift this week).

Tony

 

[The Brewer]

Know how you feel Tony, the prat that hit me last week claim he never saw a 17 stone 6'4 bloke dressed in a bright blue top with white tyres.

Good luck with the recovery and safe cycling

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Nice to hear your back out cycling, shame about the woman not paying attention, I've noticed over the years that some drivers look at a spot a few yards in front of their bonnet and pay no attention to anything else thats going on around them.

 

[HLaB]

'Driver Blindness' never ceases to amaze me either, last Saturday four of us were cycling by this junction and the old biddy almost straight into the side of the lead rider, he was only wearing a Bright Yellow Club Top with a Bright Blue Gilet, the rider next to him was wearing contrasting black kit with lime green patches, the rider behind was also wearing bright colours and I (behind right) was wearing a bright red jacket. Luckilly she was only going 3-5mph and we managed to corsetina up without a collision.

 

[BSRU]

There was some statistic stated recently that at least twenty percent of drivers were driving with eyesight below the legal minimum requirement.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

Nothing to do with blindness. They're simply not looking for you.
All some people do is look for the rectangular box with two headlights (eyes?), they're not looking for any other shape.
Driving has become such an easy background task that they don't concentrate or look for anything different. That's why a speed limit reduction will still see a high percentage going the old speed. They don't look for the signs on a familiar road. It's laziness.

 

[Maz]

What was your position on the roundabout?
Make sure you don't hug the edge. Give yourself a chance of being seen by adopting primary position.

 

[Amanda P]

It may not have been blindness.

Some drivers honestly believe that they always have priority over a cyclist, so they can safely ignore you.

After a collision, I had one of these numpties explain himself thus: "You're a f***in bike, mate!".

 

[User269]

Let's face it, many motorists can't even see us when we're in our cars, let alone riding bikes. And...........most people seem incapable of walking along a pavement (or in a supermarket) without getting in the way, stopping suddenly, or just bumping into you 'cos they can't see you. And while we're at it, why not enhance our increasing oblivion to the existence of others by staring at GPS, mobile phones, mp3 players, and my cleavage (well, not mine, but you know what I mean) ?

 

[Leedsbusdriver]

Yep it amazes me how many drivers just don't look beyond the end of their bonnet and only spot a hazard when it's right on top of them.

 

[loadz]

I went out on a 2-mile rcovery ride (had cardio procedure a week ago) to scope out a different route to/from work avoiding a 3/4 mile section of heavy traffic on narrow single lane area (Newcastle Hadricks Mill toward Findus for those that know the area).

Know the area well tony. You just need a big pair of b**ls and get in the middle after the pub and stay there till you've cleared the bridge. It is horrible through there and there just always seems to be a bloody bus behind you.

Keep at it. !!

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Cheers loadz - that's usually what I do in mid-lane doing 20-25 until I reach the lights then into the asl.
Coming back that way it's filter down the outside which is dangerous at the bet of times.
Until I am back in fitness, I'll be going via the footbridge over longbenton station.
Tony

 

[Hip Priest]

The worst example I've ever seen is that clip where the cyclist gets right-hooked, and ends up sprawled in front of another car, which then proceeds to ride over him and his bike. Since I've seen that I've learned to trust no-one!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Sigh... no matter what you wear, no matter what you ride, no matter how bright your lights, if they ain't lookin' they won't see you.


and an awful lot of 'em ain't lookin'

 

[Headgardener]

Riding home tonight a car approached me from the the bottom of Frost Lane heading into Hythe with it's headlights on full and going rather slowly and I thought that they shouldn't be on the road if they can't see. I also called them something rather rude along the lines of being a blind bar steward.