English drivers- worst in Europe-proof positive

[danger mouse]

Just came back from a week in Spain. First time I had use of my road bike.

I was cycling around South Costa Blanca which is heavily populated by expat/holiday home brits.

Spanish drivers have respect, patience and are very risk aware giving lots of room when passing even when cyclists use the ad hoc cycle lane on most new roads.

HGV and Bus drivers are also very well behaved - lots of space when passing and no hint of aggression when they couldn't overtake with room.

The only time I had a problem was when being passed by a hire car or the occasional expat driver.

I know they were ex pats as they were wearing knotted hankies and union jack shorts. (This does require further research)
The roads are excellent and with warm weather I had some very pleasurable rides

 

[snorri]

I know they were ex pats as they were wearing knotted hankies and union jack shorts. (This does require further research)

If they were going slow enough for you to see the pattern on their shorts I don't think you have much to complain about.

 

[raindog]

I thought the UK was one of the safest places to be on the roads?
"(Holland is the fourth safest country as far as traffic concerns. Only the U.K., Sweden and Norway have lower numbers of fatalities)"
http://holland.cyclingaroundtheworld.nl/Five-reasons.html

 

[danger mouse]

I thought the UK was one of the safest places to be on the roads?
"(Holland is the fourth safest country as far as traffic concerns. Only the U.K., Sweden and Norway have lower numbers of fatalities)"
http://holland.cyclingaroundtheworld.nl/Five-reasons.html

It doesn't feel like it a lot of the time!!

 

[snorri]

I thought the UK was one of the safest places to be on the roads?

Depends on how you choose to measure safety.
From my own experience the UK certainly does not have the safest roads in Europe. The safety statistics look good due to many potential road users- walkers, cyclists, horseriders- not using the roads at all because of the perceived hazards.
With few vulnerable road users on the roads the stats will, falsely in my view, give a false impression of road safety.

 

[musa]

Going on number of fatalities is a bit far fetched. Is that reported causes? What level of injury would you call it a fatality?

I suppose you'll just have to make your own judgement

 

[dawesome]

It's another motoring lobby con, bully vulnerable road users off the road then cite the relatively low pedestrian/cyclist casualty rate as "proof" UK's roads are safe.

 

[albion]

"Only the U.K., Sweden and Norway have lower numbers of fatalities)"

Is that a joke article?
In Holland they probably ride 10 times as far so ain't the UK risk then 10 times higher?

The town with the lowest number of car accidents is always the town that is car free!

 

[danger mouse]

Agreed that having driven around the CB for five years, the difference between driving standards and safety re cyclists was a surprise.

I have been told that the penalties for injuring a cyclist are 'grave', hence the respect and distance when passing.

This was reinforced for me when seeing drivers getting over the center lane when passing, no matter what was coming the other way