ignorance...

[shunter]

I've never got round to it, but the highway code is a light little book, and I've wondered about carrying a copy to produce and make my point on the spot. Although I don't often get into that sort of conversation. For max effect, it would be good to have memorised the page numbers you were likely to need.

Bizzarely there are quite a few folk over here in N.Ireland who can quote chapter and verse from big well worn bibles but more than likely don't even own the highway code. I wonder which would save more lives

 

[thomas]

I've never got round to it, but the highway code is a light little book, and I've wondered about carrying a copy to produce and make my point on the spot. Although I don't often get into that sort of conversation. For max effect, it would be good to have memorised the page numbers you were likely to need.

You could maybe print out a few little leaflets with the more common things that would effect cyclists, with what the highway code says and a source to it. Probably fit most arguments on quite a smallish bit of paper!

 

[Bollo]

You could maybe print out a few little leaflets with the more common things that would effect cyclists, with what the highway code says and a source to it. Probably fit most arguments on quite a smallish bit of paper!

Or tattoo them on your knuckles!

 

[HJ]

I've never got round to it, but the highway code is a light little book, and I've wondered about carrying a copy to produce and make my point on the spot. Although I don't often get into that sort of conversation. For max effect, it would be good to have memorised the page numbers you were likely to need.

You wouldn't actually need the whole thing, just a set of flash card for the most commonly broken rules...

 

[HLaB]

You wouldn't actually need the whole thing, just a set of flash card for the most commonly broken rules...

You'd need a pretty big piece of paper though

 

[StuartG]

I guess like most bikers/motorists I haven't read the HC since the night before the test. I know that is wrong but well ... that's life (or death).

Re-tests would be an unpopular move. A solution might be to introduce some random questions on the HC when you renew your VED online. I mean you could even include links to the online version so people would not need to 'phone-a-friend'. The object would not be to fail them - but just remind them of the rules of the road. Simple, cheap and just might be effective.

 

[thomas]

I guess like most bikers/motorists I haven't read the HC since the night before the test. I know that is wrong but well ... that's life (or death).

Re-tests would be an unpopular move. A solution might be to introduce some random questions on the HC when you renew your VED online. I mean you could even include links to the online version so people would not need to 'phone-a-friend'. The object would not be to fail them - but just remind them of the rules of the road. Simple, cheap and just might be effective.

Actually I quite like that idea. Just don't let them renew until they know the right answers on some random questions. If they get a question wrong they get told the right answer and have to answer a different one so that people can't just click through all the options until they pick the right one (and not learn anything).

A bit like a mini theory test. It's a sensible and simple idea...which will probably never be introduced

I like it because, like the driver in my OP, if I'd of said she was incorrect and explained what the HC actually said she wouldn't of believe me...and gone home still confident in her ignorance. A simple question about it on this mini theory test and it might just "subconsciously" correct her.

Your idea is similar to how I've had to do H&S stuff at work. Given the questions and some booklet with it all on...just transcribe information across (though sometimes the booklet had the answers at the end so just rewrote them....still learnt whatever I had to learn though).

 

[GrasB]

I really like this idea, however I think there is a problem with this in that it'd limit the ways you can pay for VED, imagine doing this at the post office? But with the on-line VED payment it could well be a very useful thing to do.

 

[thomas]

I really like this idea, however I think there is a problem with this in that it'd limit the ways you can pay for VED, imagine doing this at the post office? But with the on-line VED payment it could well be a very useful thing to do.

Slightly different form. A load of random questions, with the answers/highway code segments below. It'd require you to read the highway code and select the correct box for the answer...

I dunno...do able, but easier on the internet!

 

[GrasB]

Get one wrong then a new form, go away re-apply? or the cashier asking questions but what if you don't get the required number right? How long would it take etc? Not impossible but I think it could be very time consuming & awkward for both the cashier & the person applying if things don't go well.

 

[PBancroft]

As its human nature for people to generally want to help other people the cashier will probably just tell the person applying what the answers are. Fast forward to an article in the Daily Wail about nanny state/Broken Britain and it would disappear.

I still think the best solution is to scrap the point system. Caught speeding? Retake your test. Caught running a red light? Retake your test. Not wearing a seatbelt? Retake your test.

My hunch is that a lot of people would suddenly start paying a bit more attention to the Highway Code when that sort of inconvenience is introduced for failing to do so. And to anyone who moans about it being too expensive/too time consuming there is the very large get-out... don't break the sodding law!

 

[thomas]

As its human nature for people to generally want to help other people the cashier will probably just tell the person applying what the answers are. Fast forward to an article in the Daily Wail about nanny state/Broken Britain and it would disappear.

I still think the best solution is to scrap the point system. Caught speeding? Retake your test. Caught running a red light? Retake your test. Not wearing a seatbelt? Retake your test.

My hunch is that a lot of people would suddenly start paying a bit more attention to the Highway Code when that sort of inconvenience is introduced for failing to do so. And to anyone who moans about it being too expensive/too time consuming there is the very large get-out... don't break the sodding law!

Maybe, but that has nothing to do with things people are ignorant about. The questions probably wouldn't be "what must you do when you see a red light?"...and much more like those from the theory test.

edit: just took that theory test and got 49 out of 50. Question 40 wrong, never mind. It was actually a bit rubbish. Some questions focused on motorcyclists, when the question was equally relevant to a cyclist.

It'd be nice just for a load of misconceptions to be addressed in some type of retest training.

 

[Debian]

The HC states:

never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends

and this is where I do take issue with cyclists sometimes. My opinion is that cyclists should only ride two abreast when doing so still leaves room for a car to pass.

On a single lane road, such as the one the OP states he was riding on, and especially when negotiating a bend in the road then single file should be the rule.

I know the HC uses "should" but the context is "should never" which to me means don't ever do it unless you have a good reason for doing so, not if you feel like it.

I frequently see club ride groups around the Somerset levels, riders chatting away to each other riding two and even three abreast in groups of twenty or more riders on narrow roads and with scant regard for the queue of cars behind. It's no wonder sometimes that drivers think cyclists are an arrogant bunch of sods!

Having consideration for other road users works, or should work all ways.

 

[Bman]

50 out of 50

 

[marinyork]

The HC states:



and this is where I do take issue with cyclists sometimes. My opinion is that cyclists should only ride two abreast when doing so still leaves room for a car to pass.

On a single lane road, such as the one the OP states he was riding on, and especially when negotiating a bend in the road then single file should be the rule.

I know the HC uses "should" but the context is "should never" which to me means don't ever do it unless you have a good reason for doing so, not if you feel like it.

I frequently see club ride groups around the Somerset levels, riders chatting away to each other riding two and even three abreast in groups of twenty or more riders on narrow roads and with scant regard for the queue of cars behind. It's no wonder sometimes that drivers think cyclists are an arrogant bunch of sods!

Having consideration for other road users works, or should work all ways.

And what does the country code say about the same thing . Drivers need to chill out a bit.