How bad at driving can you be?

[TwickenhamCyclist]

This happened in Australia. The driver received a 3 month ban and a $600AD fine. According to the poster the accident was not malicious and the driver stopped and helped etc. - importantly, the cyclists got off with a few minor injuries, but as I put in the thread title, how bad at driving can you be?

 

[Nigeyy]

I just don't get how the driver could have hit the cyclist on this -what were they doing? I mean clearly they saw the cyclist as they hadn't overtaken? Texting?

The only possible mitigation I can think of is that the driver somehow had something that distracted them in the car (e.g. wasp, scorpion, poisonous snake or spider -Oz mind you). Assuming that's not the case, I think they got off lightly here -it's one thing to say it wasn't intentional -and I'll be the first to admit everyone makes a mistake sooner or later driving or cycling -but it certainly doesn't appear like they didn't see the cyclist. To me, it's not so much an innocent mistake as more like gross incompetence. Mandatory re-take of their license wouldn't be amiss I'd think.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

I agree - she was following far too close behind with no room for error on anyone's part - I got hit from behind by a bus driver doing exactly the same thing (luckily at a relatively low speed, and with the only damage to my bike)

 

[Luke Redpath]

If this really wasn't malicious and was truly a case of incompetence, then I guess the answer to your question is...bloody terrible. Should have their license revoked in either case.

 

[Cycleops]

Probably distracted, maybe using a mobile. I have seen quite a few accidents here caused in this way.

 

[jarlrmai]

My view it's an attempt to scare the cyclist due to being annoyed by the strong position they take from the lights.

 

[glenn forger]

Yep, I think she meant to aggressively tailgate.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

as I put in the thread title, how bad at driving can you be?

Well, you could manage this on a dead straight road :

 

[jarlrmai]

Could have been a blowout on the caravan.

Out on a ride I once came upon a caravan where the wheels on one side had come off, there was a big gouge out of the tarmac. The driver said he'd just picked it up after a service and they must have forgotten to tighten the wheel nuts, he looked pissed off.

 

[Schneil]

View: http://youtu.be/b4hE9eztw94


Is it something about the drivers of white cars? This lady decided to try and occupy the same space on the tarmac as I did.
"You were riding in the middle of the lane".
So that makes it OK to drive into me? (cue facepalm)

 

[400bhp]

That's probably my biggest fear of the type of collision. Some numpty driving too close behind. Feck all you can do about it.