What is it with some people

[naffa]

Before I tell my tale I will say that I'm a car driver and love driving,as a former professional driver I rely on all 3 mirrors in my car heavily and I will often use other drivers mirrors for my safety.
Basically I approached a roundabout with the intention to turn right (thanks for all the advice in my other thread, I used it today and felt more confident).
At the island a car was in the left lane without any indicators flashing and I came alongside to turn right. He was stationary but by the time I got alongside him he was manouevering about the island.
Basically he cut the roundabout lanes while I was on his offside. By using his door mirror I could tell he didn't know I was there so I shouted loudly 'look out mate'and then he looked in his door mirror and saw me, then shouted back at me that I shouldn't be riding up his inside??????????
I'm sure that his actual intention was to turn right but after my shouting that I was turning right and had the right to be in that position on the road he swerved to the nearside which actually took him straight ahead still shouting at me.
I'm not easy to miss, I'm 6ft 1inch and 18.5 stones light but I really worry when a simple 2 mile ride to a friends house becomes a drama. Or is it just me?
All I want to do is enjoy my riding nad ride safely.

Nath

 

[Arch]

By using his door mirror I could tell he didn't know I was there

This makes you a million times more competent than far too many road users (on four or two (or three!) wheels). Well done!

It's not just you. There are some prize idiots out there. We ought to be able to expect them to pay attention, but meanwhile, using tricks like yours, looking in mirrors and so on, are what keep us safe.

 

[ramses]

Yeah I always use the drivers mirrors to see what they are or aren't doing.

By doing this I avoid lots of potential incidents because they just don't look, so you learn to either hold back or scream past them.

On the odd occasion I do argue with a driver, but it's getting few and far between, because basically it is pointless.
If they can't look in the first place they are not going to see the error of their ways.

Best to keep your own eyes open and avoid what you can. look after number one.

 

[naffa]

It's not just you. There are some prize idiots out there.

Thanks I feel so much better now

 

[2Loose]

Glad that your nous(?) checked what the 'person' was doing as it obviously saved you some problem caused by him.

I can't consciously say I have checked in their mirror before, but I do read a lot from head position etc. Good job on reading the problem before it really became one, if you know what I mean.

Although you sound more able than many on the roads despite your apprehension, the caution and sense you are showing must never disappear

.

 

[Night Train]

When you are a driver you notice a lot of prize idiots on the road.
When you then cycle you notice the rest of them!

I had one yesterday.

I was looking ahead for my left turn that was just past a pedestrian island that formed a narrow pinch point on an already narrowish road. As I got closer I looked over my shoulder to make eye contact with the BMW driver some way behind and then moved into primary before indicating left.
I dropped my speed, did another shoulder check and made eye contact again before indicating left while staying in primary.
As I got to the island I did a lifesaver look before turning and, lo and behold, the BMW was about a foot from my right leg trying to squeeze between me and the island!

2 nanosecond grace and I would have been round the corner and he wouldn't have to rub his tyres on the island kerbs!

 

[fimm]

What a good idea, using car mirrors. I never thought of doing that.

 

[david1701]

What a good idea, using car mirrors. I never thought of doing that.

idea now stolen

 

[Philk]

I want to know when indicators on cars became an optional extra, as when commuting daily to birmingham, very few people have them on thieir cars...

 

[2Loose]

I want to know when indicators on cars became an optional extra, as when commuting daily to birmingham, very few people have them on thieir cars...

Apparently it is this years latest fashion to not have them, saw several today without. Not sure I subscribe to that fashion thing myself, seems a bit dangerous to me.

 

[skudupnorth]

I want to know when indicators on cars became an optional extra, as when commuting daily to birmingham, very few people have them on thieir cars...

It is one thing that makes my blood boil from either a driving view or a cyclist view,just total inconsiderate driving in my eyes that should be dealt with in a more serious way.....like public birching at a motorway service staion of choice !
In the Czech Republic they indicate to go round corners,never mind junctions ! Might have changed since i was there a few years ago but it always threw me what the driver was up to !

 

[mog35]

Apparently it is this years latest fashion to not have them, saw several today without. Not sure I subscribe to that fashion thing myself, seems a bit dangerous to me.

It appears the 'one headlight' look is also de rigeur at the moment.

Not indicating is one of my pet peeves - how far do you have to move your hand from the wheel to indicate? A couple of inches? I mean, honestly.

Also people who indicate not before executing a manoeuvre, but while doing it, as some kind of afterthought to the complicated logistics and forward planning required to go left or right.

 

[Norm]

Not indicating is one of my pet peeves - how far do you have to move your hand from the wheel to indicate? A couple of inches? I mean, honestly.

It's something that I notice more when I'm on the motorbike, and I think it derives from the same idea of safety that would put a big metal spike in place of the airbags.

On most motorbikes, it's a wiggle of the left thumb, on most cars, it's no more than a stretch of the fingers, but the thinking seems to be "I'm in a big condom (a safety device for dicks when they are screwing about - see what I did there? ) and I don't need to tell anyone else what I'm doing because I'm going to be safe whatever"

I think cyclists and bikers are much more aware of the effect that we have on other road users because we are all too aware of the terminal effect that they can have on us.

 

[slugonabike]

In my experience, the few drivers who do use indicators seem to think that it then gives them automatic right of way. No mate, the clue is in the name - those flashy lights indicate your intentions, nothing else!

As to looking in the driver's mirrors, I have never thought of this but will add it to my repertoir post haste.

 

[Slaav]

One of the last posts on this thread raises an interesting question....

I strongly believe that an indicator/ion definitely signifies my INTENTIONS - as in I am going to turn left/right. NOT I am now turning left/right. I imagine (hope?) most agree - happy to be proven wrong though?

HOWEVER, this flies in teh face of some taught behaviour; MSM - Mirror, signal, manouver; which clearly implies that one does NOT signal until safe to do so and road is clear - i.e. you are effectively executing the manouver?

Do agree though - indicators appear to be optional these days - especially in London!