SMIDSY isn't just for bicycles

[Davidc]

Driving along this morning (yes, I was using my car) at 30 mph, in a 30 limit, following another car with nothing in front of it .....

There was a small van waiting to come out of a side road. As the car in front got close the van suddenly came out. Loud crunch noise followed, lots of braking. I missed the back of the one in front by a good 50mm.

I got out to see if anyone needed help. The driver of the van was getting out of his passenger door. The driver of the car in front seemed OK but couldn't get out.

A great deal of force later the driver's door of the car in front of me came open, so did the van driver's mouth. Out of it came those immortal words "Sorry Mate I Didn't See You".

This was from someone who'd been waiting, being approached by a Renault Megane painted bright red, with its dipped lights on. I just managed to stop myself either saying something rude or laughing.

Better not put any more down in case I have to appear later as a witness, other than to say that fortunately the only physical injuries to the people were some cuts and bruises.

There are times when I wonder if it's safe to go out on the roads, not just on a bike but at all. In the words of Dad's Army's Private James Frazer, "We're all doomed I tell ye".

 

[Chrismawa]

Another example of someone either not paying attention or shouldn't be in control of a vehicle.

 

[mcshroom]

It's like the arguement about lights and high-vis. You can stack the odds more in your favour by using them but they only work if the person pulling out bothers to look!

Glad you are ok.

If you missed the car in front by only 50mm you may want to leave a little more space as that is a bit close (That's not a dig I'm sure I do the same myself too often)

 

[Davidc]

If you missed the car in front by only 50mm you may want to leave a little more space as that is a bit close (That's not a dig I'm sure I do the same myself too often)

I thought that too.

It was about the most extreme stop likely to be needed though, so a case of just enough but only just. Also glad I have anti-lock brakes.

 

[Fnaar]

I've had loads of 'pedestrian' smidsys.... people walking straight out of shops onto the pavement (and into me) without looking to see if anyone's coming. I'm certain these (annoying) people are also going to be the smidsy drivers.

 

[asterix]

It's just another 'accident', what are you getting so worked up about?

 

[snorri]

I have to say since changing my car last year I have to be extra careful when pulling out from side roads or manoeuvring in general. The pillar at each side of the front windscreen is much wider and creates greater blind spots than any vehicle I have ever driven before.
They will tell you that, as a driver, I have never been so well protected, but it's certainly a lot easier now to create chaos.

 

[Alien8]

I have to say since changing my car last year I have to be extra careful when pulling out from side roads or manoeuvring in general. The pillar at each side of the front windscreen is much wider and creates greater blind spots than any vehicle I have ever driven before.

Well at least you are alert to it. Many people use vehicle blind-spots as an excuse for having accidents as a opposed to being a reason for being more careful.

 

[Muddyfox]

I had a smidsy incident last tuesday ... i was stopped in a line of traffic waiting for a car to turn right into a side road and the lorry approaching from behind me apparently did'nt see me ?

Which then shunted me into the van in front

Simon

 

[mcshroom]

Perhaps he didn't like taxis

No I know, it's because your car isn't wearing high vis so he couldn't see it!

Hope you are ok Muddyfox

 

[quassleberry]

These two should be at the end of my reply, don't know how to move them.

I have to say since changing my car last year I have to be extra careful when pulling out from side roads or manoeuvring in general. The pillar at each side of the front windscreen is much wider and creates greater blind spots than any vehicle I have ever driven before.
They will tell you that, as a driver, I have never been so well protected, but it's certainly a lot easier now to create chaos.

Abit ot but with the mention of blind spots it prompts another question, what idiots are responsible for designing/H & S assessment of the pretty (pretty damn useless) indicators that adorn cars these days.
They are only clearly visible on a dull day when the driver doesn't use headlights. On a bright sunny day or at night they are almost impossible to see until you have lost all speed anticipating whether the driver is going to turn or go straight on. That's not including the ones who indicate only as they start to turn.

 

[snorri]

and the lorry approaching from behind me apparently did'nt see me ?

Perhaps your visibility would be increased if on the rear of your vehicle you had an enlarged version of your avatar?

 

[Dan B]

Abit ot but with the mention of blind spots it prompts another question, what idiots are responsible for designing/H & S assessment of the pretty (pretty damn useless) indicators that adorn cars these days.
They are only clearly visible on a dull day when the driver doesn't use headlights. On a bright sunny day or at night they are almost impossible to see until you have lost all speed anticipating whether the driver is going to turn or go straight on. That's not including the ones who indicate only as they start to turn.

The ones at the back where there's an amber ring around the outside of the taillight cluster are particularly unhelpful. But I do like some of the innovations in indicators that I've seen, such as having them stuck on door mirrors.


TBH the only information you can generally assume from an indicator is that the driver is thinking about doing something you might not expect, so look out. For any kind of guidance as to the nature of his excursion, look at his lane positioning and the direction his front tyres are pointing in.

 

[tyred]

I have always found indicators very useful to let me know the bulb works.

 

[Davidc]

Aren't they just a test function for the 'Look, I'm parked illegally' lights?