Video of one of them driving straight in to the floodwater. I mean, wtf?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Today's rubbish driving...
(11333 posts)- Started 13 years ago by Stepdoh
- Latest reply from wishicouldgofaster
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Posted 8 years ago #
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I was wondering about this one, and I've got a theory that makes the driver look slightly less stupid. Basically they may not have known the area, and if you look at the level of the water it's just below the level of the pavement. If you didn't know that the road sank down at that point it could look to all intents and purposes after if the water was a few inches deep and only just almost at pavement level.
Of course seeing a bus pointing down the road would suggest it would have to get under the bridge and therefore the road would sink; and the car turning round rather than going that way should have been a bit of a hint that the water was a bit deeper than it looked.
I may of course be giving far too much of the benefit of the doubt, and the person driving may well just be a muppet (I suppose we'd need to hear from them to know for sure).
Posted 8 years ago # -
The rule for floods is:
If you can't see the white centreline, you don't drive into it.
I suspect the guy in the video had a MGIF mentality and wasn't even looking what was in front of the stopped white car.
Posted 8 years ago # -
On bike and car I've definitely contravened that rule quite a number of times!
I have turned back from a few flood patches though.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Another rule for floods:
It only takes one foot of moving water to bowl a person off their feet.
Bikes I imagine fair much better since the cross-sectional area of a spoked wheel is very low. Though that still doesn't stop you hitting a submerged object/hole which could make you fall off.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'll just update my statement above, "On bike and car I've definitely contravened that rule quite a number of times where I know the road, and I'm pretty sure of the road surface underneath (i.e. I've seen it in the last few weeks)"
Doesn't mean nothing will go wrong, but on my own head be it.
(on my own head because I also won't go through until it's clear both ways, and there are no people about to be hit by my bow wave).
I'm sure there's something I've missed.
Posted 8 years ago # -
The "just saved someones life selfie"?! :-O
Posted 8 years ago # -
Video of one of them driving straight in to the floodwater.
I'm pretty sure the BBC's sensationalist "driver rescued from drowning in flooded car" article showed a suspiciously similar blue MPV in a suspiciously identical underpass.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Well got three to report this Thursday.
Tesco Broughton Rd - Some young people in a Nissan Juke try to exit via the entrance wondering why people were coming their way. It ended up with me and other people having to direct them backwards to do a three point turn, it's like they never learned how to go backwards as the front passenger had to steer correctly for the driver at times and they almost hit the kerb.
St Andrew square - One discovering West Register St was shut I thought I'd walk to cycle to the bottom and walk over Princes Street. Had to point out to a guy who parked his golf over the yellow circles where the tram goes (they mark how much room it takes when coming down the road) it was a simple case of parking backwards a bit. Of course he almost opened the door in my face too.
Marchmont Road - At the crossroads near the church of similar name. Spotted a lady on a bike in front of me with a car on her right indicating left both in motion. She wobbled a little when the guy turned in front of her sharply.
Posted 8 years ago # -
the front passenger had to steer correctly for the driver at times
Young, wet behind the ears, etc. It's worrying that that driver had done a test, that was examined by someone who declared that they were fit to operate a tonne of metal on the road. 'Barely fit' probably describes a lot of young drivers on the roads.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Having been given a Nissan Juke as a car rental in the past, I can confirm that the rear view is utterly abysmal, which won't have helped. Lousy that car designers get away with making potentially unsafe vehicles in the interests of aesthetics.
Also, I don't think there's any signage at Tesco Broughton to make it clear that the entrance is one-way?
Posted 8 years ago # -
That's just it though - I think officially it isn't one-way - so that lorries needing to deliver past a certain "curfew" time at the back loading bay can load at the store front and exit via that "entrance" road....
(and that's how I justify cycling towards the bike racks from the zebra crossing when I nip in from the bike path :) )
Posted 8 years ago # -
To be fair to the young 'uns, passing a test only means you have met the minimum standard required to hold a licence.
Perhaps its the level of competence that needs re examined, not the young driver. Perhaps.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@ECT. It's also worth remembering that the minimum standard required to pass a test has very little to do with driving and is mostly just about learning a number of set pieces.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Really fast motorbikes along Roseburn Street yesterday morning. The traffic doesn't go fast there as a rule.
Noticed later motorcyclists doing deliveries with the same big boxes on their back as Deliveroo (though they weren't Deliveroo). Guessed it was them.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Very true @acsimpson My eldet passed her test withing 6 weeks of her 17th birthday (about 11 months ago) after about 28 hours intensive tuition.
She was mighty relieved she hadn't been asked to reverse park during her test (though TBF, she is much better at that than her mother is)
What has struck me several times since then is that although she is technically a reasonably good driver, the lack of experience really shows, what I would call reading the road. I'm not sure whaat the answer is - a minimum number of hours "learner" time, a "probationary" driver period.
Whilst I do think she has had to pass a test (well, two) that probably required a better standard than I was expected to (definitely on theory as I had 3 questions at vthe end of my driving bit!) traffic is just getting busdier and faster all the time.
Again TBF (must stop being so fair) most of the really crap driving/parking I see isn't by youngsters.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Indeed, at least (most) young drivers are aware of their inexperience (most of the time). It's the over confident bad drivers which are the dangerous ones.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Edinburgh Cycle Training - although she is technically a reasonably good driver, the lack of experience really shows, what I would call reading the road.
Might I ask if you had her cycling independently prior to taking the driving test? I know I'm making sweeping assumptions from your username, however I'm implying no judgement as each parent needs to be at peace with themselves regarding the risks they take with their children.
I'm asking, as I'm currently experimenting on my own - my eldest will have been an independent road user for 3 years prior to turning 17, and I'm intrigued as to whether her experience reading the road as a cyclist will be a transferable skill!
Robert
Posted 8 years ago # -
"I'm intrigued as to whether her experience reading the road as a cyclist will be a transferable skill!"
I'm sure you know it will. To what extent, will be interesting for you to observe.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I would hope the one skill that transfers is empathy with vulnerable road users.
Posted 8 years ago # -
" most of the really crap driving/parking I see isn't by youngsters."
@ECT sadly though statistics show that it is the youngsters who have most accidents.
As for measures to improve the transition from Learner, I've always thought that your suggestion of a Provisional period, as some other countries have, would be most beneficial. I would make it 2 years, with mandatory P plate, and mandatory accompaniment by a fully qualified driver, and resitting of the test if they're caught doing anything that attracts points on their licence.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Provisional also on the basis of also completing an advanced driving course within the two years.
My work insisted I take six hours worth before being given the keys to the vans and it really changed my perspective on how to drive. Too many positives to list.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Too many positives to list.
Oh go on. (Start a new thread maybe?)
Posted 8 years ago # -
Advanced driving training positives I can remember:
Emphasis on being predictable (which does not mean signalling all the time - in fact, the instructor discouraged it on motorways).
Reading the road and pre-empting issues - look 100 yards ahead of you rather than at the back of the car in front (I find you get this from cycling anyway, but it does feed my inner Sherlock Holmes).
Drive smoothly - sudden accelerations and brakings are the sign of an inadequate driver.
Be confident and don't be bullied by the driver behind you. Chances are they're an idiot.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I can't praise this highly enough;
http://www.roadcraft.co.uk/motorcycle-roadcraft
for both bicyclists and motorists. The IPSGA system is the best framework for thinking about your road behaviour I've ever come across.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Black Mercedes executive cruiser with vanity plate pulls up at the Chinese Takeaway below us and stops on double yellows as I was gazing out the window. This miffed me enough to take a second look and noted the driver put a tin of Holsten Pils down on the passenger seat before getting out and making his way slightl unsteadily in to pick up his dinner.
Got back in, takeaway on passenger seat, beer picked back up and drove back the way he came.
I had managed to grab my camera and get some photographic evidence (you can read "Holsten" on the can in the photo).
I reported it on 101 and an officer called me right back for a few more details before heading out to try apprehend this miscreant.
To be quite so blatant and nonchalant about drinking and driving makes me think a/ they make a habit of it and b/ they probably had a few in them already and had lowered their shields somewhat to prying eyes.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@kaputnik
You may well have saved a life there.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Addendum.
The Polis took this very seriously, got a call back in a few minutes from an Officer who took a few more details and then assured me they'd be off to find the driver / pay him a visit.
Got a call back again about an hour later to say they were outside and could they come in and take a statement and see the photo I had grabbed. The officer went out his way to thank me for taking the bother to report the incident and said to make it 999 next time so they can try and get them in the act, not retrospectively.
At no point was I made to feel like I was wasting anyone's time, rather, I was doing a public service. If only the police took this positive attitude to other aspects of road safety.
P.S. Sadly the driver passed his breathalyser test, so wasn't spending the night in a cell. Although I was told it goes down "in intel" in case he tries it again.P.P.S. in parting the policeman acknowledged that at least they had ruined the guys evening and given him a fright and hopefully scared him straight.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Thanks for the update, and for reporting him in the first place. The optimist in me wants to say that we perhaps shouldn't consider it sad that he passed the breathalyser (since it means he wasn't actually driving pissed). Fingers crossed he doesn't do it again, anyway.
Posted 8 years ago #
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