My observations driving through London last night

[Tynan]

so is the looking ahead is so important that there's no time to look anywhere else defence allowed for drivers?

 

[dellzeqq]

I tend to look over my shoulder when The Stare is required. The Stare is designed to stop cars overtaking when I think it is unsafe for them to do so. And it works.

 

[Origamist]

I regularly look behind me, but not that often! I'm impressed that you can keep turning your head like that. It must get tiring.

I tend to check when I've stopped, near junctions, passing parked cars and at certain pinch points that I know cars like to make dangerous overtakes.

If you don't have mirrors looking back every 3-5 secs is not really practicable, even if you alternate between longer life-savers and shorter shoulder checks.

Where I've noticed I fail to check behind me is when I coast up to traffic lights at red. I focus too much on the phasing and not enough on other road users who are keen to pass and pull in front of me (so they can presumably wait at the lights for that little bit longer).

 

[jefmcg]

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5dIzY7yvRA[/media]