Lighter mornings/nights equals danger?

[magnatom]

I just got back to commuting after 2 weeks off, and today was the first time that I commuted in light. Still a little dullin the morning, but certainly not dark. Due to meeting finishing early I also managed to sneak home a little early so it was light on the way home as well.

Generally on the rural part of the commute, on a busy A road, I have found that most drivers have been very good at hanging back and overtaking with care. Of course there has been the odd muppet, but the majority have been great. Not today. Every fifth car would either overtake too close or overtake onto oncoming traffic. One van overtook far too close to a central island and missed it by centimetres (at about 40mph). When I get a chance I'll post a video.

My theory is that in the dark, only the hardcore idiots do the crazy overtakes. As the nights and mornings get lighter, the more 'timid' idiots get a little braver and join in the fun. More light a braver idiot driver, doth make, I fear. Risk compensation at work perhaps?

Has anyone else noticed this? Hopefully as they get used to the lighter conditions things will settle down. I remain hopefull.....

 

[gaz]

Are you running your lights? i've woken up late a few times this week, and it means i'm cycling in the light in stead of the dark. i still ran my lights as other road user still had side lights on etc..

 

[magnatom]

Are you running your lights? i've woken up late a few times this week, and it means i'm cycling in the light in stead of the dark. i still ran my lights as other road user still had side lights on etc..

Yes. It'll need to be a bit lighter before I consider no lights.

 

[fossyant]

Run your lights for a while.....

How's things settled..bet you are both shattered..........

 

[magnatom]

Run your lights for a while.....

How's things settled..bet you are both shattered..........

Yup. I'll be keeping them going for a while yet. I'm in no rush to take them off.

Things are ok....ish. The little un is fine so long as we keep things simple. Introduce a trip out and upset the routine, and poof, that evening my wife and I won't see each other. Hey ho, we knew what was coming...Of course tonight has been complicated by boy no 2 getting a bug and having runny pooh from hell.....but perhaps that's a little off topic....

 

[HJ]

I noticed that when I started using a brighter rear light there were far fewer close passes.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Dawn and twilight can be worse than dark. In half-light people's vision gets kind of "muddy", lights don't stand out, contrasting colours seem weaker.

Yes, I'd rather properly dark or fully light than that murky half-light

 

[MacB]

I think people don't see, or judge distance so well in the dark. they see a cyclists rear light and give plenty of room because they're not quite sure where they are. As soon as there's more light then they become more blase about the whole thing.

 

[Hacienda71]

Dawn and twilight can be worse than dark. In half-light people's vision gets kind of "muddy", lights don't stand out, contrasting colours seem weaker.

Yes, I'd rather properly dark or fully light than that murky half-light

+1 I think twilight and dawn are more dangerous than fully dark.

 

[Bromptonaut]

+1 again on twighlight being worse than dark

 

[semislickstick]

Dawn and twilight can be worse than dark. In half-light people's vision gets kind of "muddy", lights don't stand out, contrasting colours seem weaker.

Yes, I'd rather properly dark or fully light than that murky half-light

Yes I've found this too. You wear hi-viz yellow jacket though don't you Mag?
I wear the hi-viz gilet in that in-between murky light, I hope it makes me stand out a bit more on fast country roads.

 

[bauldbairn]

I don't know if you still travel in to work on the back road(up past the "tickled trout" / Dobbies) but I'd be wary. I travelled that particullar road for many years(20+) both on a motorbike/scooter and in a car - and some commuters really/really tramp on. I can't remember ever seeing a cyclist till Milngarvie.
The road from Kirky(by Torrance) to Mingarvie/Bearsden is a short-cut for many drivers wanting to miss Springburn traffic.

I watched your vid of your new commute and you did mention an alternative route - maybe that's worth a try now?

Good luck Mags.

 

[GrasB]

I'd agree, I end up cycling through from clear daylight all the way to real darkness & I do notice that the darker it gets the less close passes & general attempted bullying goes on by motorists. Oh I leave work with all my lights on, I don't have to worry about turning them on during the ride.

 

[beanzontoast]

Many years ago, I remember my driving instructor made the point of taking me driving in twilight a few times. He regarded it the most dangerous time of the day out on the roads.

 

[BentMikey]

Twilight is generally accepted to be the most dangerous time, I thought.

I find there seems to be a spate of aggressive and bad driving around each equinox and change in the clocks.