The danger of motorists creating their own box junctions

[Accy cyclist]

Cycling along a main road last night and as usual looking for gaps in between vehicles left by drivers to let fellow drivers turn right, when it happened! Although i'd slowed down to about 10mph and constantly looking right, the transit van obscured the view of the approaching car that took up the invite and turned right. The idiot was more concerned with giving the transit van driver the thumbs up thanks, than looking where he was going. He shot right across my path missing me by about 4 inches. I know leaving gaps in traffic queues helps keep the traffic flowing but those who take up the offer should accept the invite with caution!
Slight rant over!

 

[summerdays]

I am so used to this that when its me turning right even on a bike i have an extra look down the filter gap.

 

[Globalti]

An experienced driver or cyclist knows that any unusual manoeuvre where assumptions are being made and vision is obscured, is a recipe for an accident, especially where you've got big differentials in the speeds of the vehicles involved..

 

[Milkfloat]

I am always incredibly cautious about filtering on the left, I very rarely do it, especially when junctions are involved. Add in something that blocks my vision and it becomes a total no-no.

 

[summerdays]

I am always incredibly cautious about filtering on the left, I very rarely do it, especially when junctions are involved. Add in something that blocks my vision and it becomes a total no-no.

There are still the same risks when you filter in the right, it just comes from the opposite side. (Well maybe not the same door opening risk).

 

[Milkfloat]

There are still the same risks when you filter in the right, it just comes from the opposite side. (Well maybe not the same door opening risk).

Yup, dammed if you do.....

I actually think there is less danger on the right and a vehicle coming out from your left should be more visible and slower. If the junction is hidden, you are still screwed though, so ultra caution is required.

If it sounds like I am victim blaming, I am a little bit. In Accy's case the transit blocked everyone's view and although he slowed down a lot, it was not enough to stop in time. However, I am sure I have done a lot worse every time I jump on my bike, because cycling like everything in life is a series of risks.

 

[winjim]

I think that when someone lets you through, your brain sort of switches off to other things. Getting through the gap and thanking the nice person who let you becomes the priority and you forget that it's you who needs to check it's safe. Sort of like the gorilla thing.

 

[Brandane]

the transit van obscured the view of the approaching car

those who take up the offer should accept the invite with caution!

Hmmmmm...... If YOU are filtering up the inside of traffic, is it not up to YOU to make sure the way is clear; and that includes looking out for traffic turning across your path? There is a bit of responsibility on both sides here, but if there had been a collision in the circumstances you describe, I would have to say the main fault was with you. I know you say you slowed down and were looking for traffic, but clearly your view was obstructed more than you thought!

 

[PK99]

I am always incredibly cautious about filtering on the left, I very rarely do it, especially when junctions are involved. Add in something that blocks my vision and it becomes a total no-no.

Having had a smidsy in just this situation, if filtering on the left i now STOP and observe before passing the vehicle leaving the gap

 

[martint235]

I had one a couple of years ago at a crossroads. I was on the main road in traffic, the van beside me had stopped so I guessed something was happening. I nosed forward to have a look round the front of the van and there was a car waiting to cross from the side road. I looked at him, he looked at me, I set off across the junction, he accelerated into the side of me. And then drove off. W****r!!

 

[summerdays]

The person who opens the gap and invites the other driver to turn across the lane should check their wing mirrors for traffic passing them, especially if the person making the turn is forced to rely on their judgement.

I agree and it's one thing that nice Mr Summerdays doesn't always consider

 

[Brandane]

especially if the person making the turn is forced to rely on their judgement.

The first rule of using the road, no matter what you're driving or riding: NEVER rely on someone else's judgement! It won't cut the ice in any ensuing legal proceedings either.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Is it still "filtering" if there is a cycle path painted on the road? A lot of cyclists believe it isn't. The person turning across other road users' path should make absolutely sure the way is clear.

I was in a cycle lane/path by the way, so i assumed that was my area and no vehicle is allowed to enter that area unless invited to do so by the cyclist themselves. I know vehicles have to cross a cycle lane to turn right but if they can do so without looking out for cyclists in that lane then cycle lanes are not safe!!

 

[ozboz]

The fault was with the driver turning right and crossing the path of the other road user in the eyes of the law, just because the van driver says it's ok to turn it did not mean it was.
Been involved in one of these , learnt the rule the hard way

 

[Globalti]

That is fair enough but, in many such instances, the driver making the turn smply cannot see past the vehicle that has been stopped to make the gap. Because the other driver has stopped for them though, the driver is under pressure to use that gap, so the make the turn mostly blind, relying on the other person's judgement.

So as explained above, the driver making that snap decision is in the wrong.