CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

Today's rubbish driving...

(11330 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by Stepdoh
  • Latest reply from fergus
  • This topic is sticky

  1. alibali
    Member

    Mkns, no bashing intened at all and of course the driver should not have moved into your path and should have given way to traffic from the right.

    Being right will not avoid a collision or injury I'm afraid.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  2. 559
    Member

    @MKNS Sorry would have to disagree, on your video at about 16/17secs both your front wheel and theirs are on their respective white lines.

    I understand you are not taking the piss, but whatever signal method you use at that roundabout you need to make it clear that you are going straight across.
    wiped or use non-highway code signal, know my choice.

    I understand your frustration but IMHO your approach to the roundabout was as good as theirs.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  3. Kenny
    Member

    Re: joining a roundabout... it's about more than just whether your front wheels are on the white line:

    http://www.irreverence.co.uk/img/bluecar.jpg

    The blue car hadn't finished joining the roundabout at this point (in the photo), and it was going around 2mph. I had joined the roundabout, and the blue car should have stopped.

    But hey, we disagree, you've made some points, I've made some points, we all learn something. And I appreciate that the points being made here are intended to help me avoid accidents.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  4. Nelly
    Member

    @559 non-highway code signal for going straight across a roundabout?

    Not sure what @mkns could do really - point straight on?

    Actually, the problem here is the numpty car driver not "giving way to vehicles approaching from the right" or whatever the highway code says.

    That car (or any road user) must give way, and not presume anything.

    And uf they did arrive at the same time - mkns has right of way, and to cycle passively puts them at even more danger.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  5. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Not sure what @mkns could do really - point straight on?

    There are two possibilities, although neither of them is strictly correct in this circumstance.

    Signal right on approach. This would at least show that you're crossing the roundabout rather than immediately leaving it. Signalling somewhat forwards of right might be interpreted as motioning the car driver to procede, even if that was against the driver's 'roundabout etiquette'.

    Signal with the right palm facing the driver, fingers upwards. This is actually the signal you give to an officer controlling traffic to indicate that you intend to go straight on. The HWC implies that it's only of use for car drivers, but the real risk is that Joe or Jo Public won't understand the signal.

    My own riding would have had me slowing down much more for the Davidsons Mains roundabout. I've had far too many incidents in my time on mini-roundabouts that I treat them with a great deal of care. The one by Braidburn Terrace is never ever fun unless there are no other vehicles.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  6. Lezzles
    Member

    I came the closest I have come to going over someones bonnet on Friday afternoon. I got such a scare I had to pull over to the side of the road to have a wee word with myself cos my legs were shaking.

    Coming down from Hunters Tryst down Oxgangs road. Its a pretty steep hill and I generally go pretty fast but I'm always wary of the junction with Redford Road. A blue fiesta looked at me, pulled halfway across the lane to turn right across my path, looked at me again (I was by this point pulling on the anchors and screaming) and then casually pulled out. He had a gormless looking spotty teenager in the back who was generous enough to stick his fingers up at me as well.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  7. MeepMeep
    Member

    Lezzles: sorry to hear this. I'm not often on this road anymore but know from experience of working up at Swanston Steading that the junction in question is horrific for vehicular arrogance.

    I sympathise with your reaction and would've been exactly the same. I found the worst part of being involved in an accident (barring any injuries, obviously) is the shock and the immediate and overwhelming feeling of powerlessness in the split second you see it coming.

    Glad it was only a near-miss on Friday and nothing more serious.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  8. friskiffla
    Member

    @Lezzles. Bad behaviour from a blue Fiesta in that area rings a bell... I was cycling up Redford Road last year when the driver of a blue fiesta coming in the opposite direction (and hence no reason to interact with me) leaned out of his window and hurled a load of abuse. I thought it might have been a case of mistaken identity, since I am not aware of having wronged anyone. I wouldn't mind betting it was the same person.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  9. Yesterday's rubbish driving was almost from me. Driving home from the Haughcross we came across a merry band of three, being Uberuce, Kaputnik and ruggtomcat. I was about to overtake when I saw the lines in the road were about to go double-solid so had to slow down sharp-ish to fall in behind, trying not to get too close, before waiting for the road ahead to be clear (and the lines on my side to go dashed again).

    Should probably have waited anyway as the road was downhill, and just around a light bend at the bottom was a roundabout (not knowing the road I didn't realise this) so passing after the roundabout might have been more sensible. Hopefully I gave enough room - moral may be to allow a little more recovery time before driving next time (easier with the 'normal' races that finish earlier).

    Apologies to riders and passengers!

    Posted 12 years ago #
  10. Snowy
    Member

    One to lighten your day...taken a few mins ago by a friend of mine who works on Princes Street. Digger tries to pick up something heavier than itself...
    http://a.yfrog.com/img612/2157/jp3qv.jpg

    Posted 12 years ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    @WC

    Obviously you know about -

    "
    165
    You MUST NOT overtake
    if you would have to cross or straddle double white lines with a solid line nearest to you (but see Rule 129)

    "

    BUT

    "
    129
    Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

    "

    Though obviously you'd have to persuade the cyclists to slow down!

    Posted 12 years ago #
  12. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @snowy brilliant! Made my afternoon. I see it's a yfrog image, any chance you can retweet it with the #trambles hashtag so I can collate it with the others?

    Thanks.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  13. Indeed chdot, which is why I didn't pass when I noticed the lines were about to start being double white lines. When I did pass the solid white line was on the opposite side, my side was dashed white line, so rule 129 didn't come into play.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  14. le_soigneur
    Member

    @snowy It seems to me that the mini-digger reversed one track into the hole that it was unaware of, rather than tried to lift a load that overbalanced it.
    Still, a trambles. I wonder was the driver able to exit, there is only 1 door.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  15. Darkerside
    Member

    Unbranded white van this morning at 0630, driving straight across the main road I was on and very nearly taking me out. Saw me late enough to wave a slight apology as I skidded sideways towards him. Stopped from 30kph about 2 feet from the side of his van. He didn't stop.

    Going to look tonight at a way to mount my bullet camera to my hat using velcro, and will order some form of horn as well. Definite rise in driver daftness over the past few months...

    Posted 12 years ago #
  16. Uberuce
    Member

    @dubCow: I don't remember any hairiness from your overtake, but some foolio in a 4x4 overtook our sillyton on a solid white on another of that road's hills, having to cut in front of ruggtomcat in order to avoid the oncoming cars.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  17. Instography
    Member

    ... was from the dick in the silver Lexus 4WD sitting in the ASL at Chester St and Palmerston Place. Having gone up the left turn lane to get there I was committed so had to go in front of him and took off pretty sharp when the lights turned green. Of course, he roars round the corner to pass me only to find the road works so has to wait and then tries again when he's past that but has to abandon it because there's a barrier in the middle of the road and he's still not fast enough (and I'm holding primary). He's about to try a third time going down Belford Road but I'm still too fast and glare back at him as he changes down to third gear so he can get a good run at it. He backs off because I'm still in primary and touching 30mph. He at least has the good sense to not try again on the bend after the Travelodge. I wave him past me on the hill up to the Galleries so that I can laugh when he's stopped 10 yards later. I pass him (and about 40 other cars) immediately.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  18. cc
    Member

    A southbound white van marked "J.S.B. Plumbing & Sons" swerved madly right across Causewayside just a yard or two in front of a column of oncoming traffic, to park and block the northbound cycle lane. The driver appeared to have been talking on his mobile phone (which he was holding up to his ear) during the whole manoeuvre.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  19. Complete and total utter moronic tool of the highest grade of eejit in a black Vauxhall Insignia this morning.

    I was walking in, along the south road below Arthur's Seat. Always watch for cars overtaking things at the top of the week 'S' bend (when I'm cycling I wave cars by if I get to the top and the way is clear, which seems to work nicely, but have been overtaken completely blind at the top a number of times). This car was overtaking a scooter. Completely blind, the scooter going slowly, but faster than a cyclist. Problem was there was a car coming the other way. How they didn't exchange wing mirrors I don't know, as there was the merest baby gnat's whisker of space between them as the Insignia cut in front of the scooter.

    I watched him drive into the distance, happy at least to see brake lights come on as he approached a cyclist ahead. But it was a mere prelude, almost as if he was waiting for the most dangerous place to pass as, once again, he passed on a blind corner, too close, and cutting up the bike.

    It would appear you can still get driving licences in Christmas crackers.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  20. chdot
    Admin

    WHY doesn't that road get shut to motors?!?!

    Posted 12 years ago #
  21. Lezzles
    Member

    AT Travel Coach this morning in Oxgangs. Overtook me just before the mini-roundabout, then crossed my path to turn left. Hammered on the breaks and presented him with some universal sign language. Of course he'd had to have looked in his wing mirror to see it which of course he didn't.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  22. "WHY doesn't that road get shut to motors?!?!"

    A couple of weeks ago we walked into town on a Sunday to watch the Tour at the Ventoux - it was so pleasant walking through without the traffic noise and speed. Early mornings when I walk to work that way, as I did this morning, I get frustrated trying to wildlife-spot, mainly through listening to the birdsong, by constant traffic noise, that I generally just plug into some music instead. Such a shame for what could be a haven in the city.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  23. alibali
    Member

    It would appear you can still get driving licences in Christmas crackers.

    Yes, but only to ride a bike or be a pedestrian.

    Passing a cyclist is covered in the theory test and of course is likely to come up in the practical test too.

    Of course the lessons may not stick...but that's not the fault of the license or the test.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  24. I'm going to stop trying to be funny, as well as stop arguing with people...

    Posted 12 years ago #
  25. wingpig
    Member

    Somewhere in Gilmerton, on the road that Frogston Road becomes if you follow the RR anticlockwise, two cars pulled out of a road to the right and set off in front of me. Both saw me coming, judged that they had space and were fine. A third hadn't even reached the mouth of the road by the time I was past it but still pulled straight out to try and slot in behind the two preceding cars, almost as if he considered me to not be there.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  26. alibali
    Member

    WC, That would be a shame.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  27. Roibeard
    Member

    Today's rubbish driving has been logged by L&BP as a hit and run (for the moment) - no damage or harm, but only because I managed to stay upright.

    It was a botched overtake on the Dalkeith Road exit from Cameron Toll roundabout - the driver "clipped" me with their rear nearside corner. I seem to recall that being clipped by a vehicle has caused one or two fatalities in the last year, so I'm happy to be intact.

    We'll see where it gets to, but the helmet cam footage might indeed help.

    Robert

    Posted 12 years ago #
  28. Min
    Member

    Ugh, sounds scary. Glad you are okay and that you got it on video.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  29. amir
    Member

    Good luck with that Robert.

    I am not sure that the Tour de France and Olympics has had a noticeably positive effect on driving around cyclists. I have had the usual collection of negative experiences.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  30. earthowned
    Member

    Phew that sounds like a close one - glad to hear you are OK.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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