Had a bad experience yesterday

Rolandtheroadie

scotsbob wrote: »

"Think once, think twice, think bike" as Johnny Saville used to say in an old TV ad in the 70s.

That the guy from John'll Fix It?

Riccal

As a motorcyclist, we are allowed to filter both inside and outside in stationary traffic but we are aware that it is at our own risk (all be it not necessarily on a legal basis as vehicles that move to their right without checking mirrors can be held at fault depending on the circumstances). In fairness, a cyclist using that inside lane has to be as prepared as other traffic to take action to avoid collisions - more so for the cyclist given his position. He really should have been watching what the other traffic was doing!

Riccal

oldagetraveller

We're all guilty too, of the headlight "flashing" where the intention is to allow or assume right of way.
When in actual fact it is not supposed to be an intention to give way but a warning that you are there.
And well done Jannine for avoiding an accident and coming on here to admit it!
I'm surprised you haven't been berated yet by all those "perfect" drivers who frequent MSE!

custardy

i don't see how the cyclist couldnt have right of way.
the OP was joining a road,the cyclist was already on it
a lesson that just because someone flashes you out,its still your duty to ensure its safe to move off

janninew

oldagetraveller wrote: »

We're all guilty too, of the headlight "flashing" where the intention is to allow or assume right of way.
When in actual fact it is not supposed to be an intention to give way but a warning that you are there.
And well done Jannine for avoiding an accident and coming on here to admit it!
I'm surprised you haven't been berated yet by all those "perfect" drivers who frequent MSE!

I did kind of expect to be berated by the 'mse perfect drivers club!' They must all be out and about being perfect! I felt that bad after it happened I felt I deserved to be berated to be honest! Finally feel a bit calmer now! Was just a friendly reminder to other car drivers!

thelawnet

Riccal wrote: »

He really should have been watching what the other traffic was doing!

How can you possibly say that?

The OP has an interesting anecdote, which reminds us of Highway Code Rules 110 and 111.

110

Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.
111

Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.


Beyond that, who knows.

janninew

thelawnet wrote: »

How can you possibly say that?

The OP has an interesting anecdote, which reminds us of Highway Code Rules 110 and 111.

110

Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.
111

Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.


Beyond that, who knows.

That might be what the Highway Code says, but I bet that 99% of drivers flash their lights to invite another car to pull out. I went to the Chemist this morning and was waiting to pull out of a side road, a Policeman in a Police car flashed his lights at me and waved me out into the traffic!

I'll never forget on my test being flashed by another driver (trying to be helpful) and I didn't know what to do so I just sat and ignored them! The examiner finally asked me to pull out into the traffic as the other car was just sat waiting for me to go.

thelawnet

janninew wrote: »

That might be what the Highway Code says, but I bet that 99% of drivers flash their lights to invite another car to pull out. I went to the Chemist this morning and was waiting to pull out of a side road, a Policeman in a Police car flashed his lights at me and waved me out into the traffic!

I'll never forget on my test being flashed by another driver (trying to be helpful) and I didn't know what to do so I just sat and ignored them! The examiner finally asked me to pull out into the traffic as the other car was just sat waiting for me to go.

I let people out, sometimes, but I don't flash them, just wait and they will get the message.

spadoosh

My friend did something similar to you op he now has a cyclist head shaped dent in the side of his car (its actually around the frame of the door so the cyclist mustve hit it v v hard) luckily his helmet took the brunt and cyclist got up a bit dazed. My friend is actually a keen cyclist himself and was gutted about the whole experience.

Unfortunately accidents happen and i think because driving is soo easy and done regularly its very easy to forget were in machines that can kill. It terrifies me when i get home from a journey and cant remember driving like it was all done subconciously. Im 24 and feel being scared is what makes the safest drivers, if your not scared your not worried about the damage your car can do. You only need to look on youtube to see some pretty devestating results of accidents and driver negligence

epsilondraconis

OP, a couple of weeks ago I was driving in good weather conditions in the daytime and was approaching a double set of roundabouts (two small ones next to each other). I wasn't distracted by anything, there was no sun in my eyes, nothing to obscure my vision; the next thing I know I caught sight of a bright fluorescent jacket as it went past my window. It was being worn by a pedal cyclist that I just didn't see as he entered the roundabout (he had right of way).

Fortunately I didn't hit him - he was fine and went on their way.

To this day I have no idea how I didn't see them. I can only assume I was too busy looking out for cars on the second small roundabout to see if they were likely to head onto the roundabout I was approaching.

Suffice to say that like you, I also felt awful and wondered what would have happened if I'd arrived on the roundabout a couple of seconds later.