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Today's rubbish driving...
(11335 posts)- Started 13 years ago by Stepdoh
- Latest reply from acsimpson
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Posted 7 years ago #
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Saw the Musselburgh video on FB last night. A few people commented that the driver of the BMW had tried to 'undertake' another car and lost control when he hit either the first parked car or the car he was passing. The scale of the damage is unbelievable, the BMW must have been airborne before hitting the taxi.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The police reviewed my malicious overtake video from the other day, and said because I was moving from lane 1 to lane 2, despite my indicating, the vehicle in lane 2 had right of way. Apparently my indication was no right to move into that lane, despite the car being about 60 metres behind.
I had to dive out of the way when it was clear he wasn't going to stop, and his shout of "it's not your right of way" confirms he wasn't going to stop and felt he was right. It appears the police agree with him.
What I felt as a father and a cyclist, was that the man was intent on killing my child. I suppose the video doesn't really show that. The police were very courteous etc, but it's clear where we are as far as where the benefit of the doubt goes. The advice to me was to not assume anyone had seen my indication and to be prepared to wait as it's not my right to pull out when I indicate. I am somewhat seething now.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"I had to dive out of the way when it was clear he wasn't going to stop, and his shout of "it's not your right of way" confirms he wasn't going to stop and felt he was right. It appears the police agree with him."
Disappointing.
Whatever the technicality of that, as the driver would not escape prosecution if they drove into you, still seems like 'careless driving' worthy of a chat from police(?)
Posted 7 years ago # -
@algo I can understand your frustration. There are so many parked cars that applying such a standard would lead to excessive inconvenience for any cyclist. However if we cycle in lane 2 all the time, motorists would be frustrated.
In my opinion the motorist is guilty of driving furiously.Posted 7 years ago # -
Love the Red Hand of Ulster flag in the Musselburgh video just before the taxi driver's salty verdict on the scene.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@chdot - the police disagree - they say they're not taking it any further.
@amir - thank you for your empathy. I think the video really doesn't show the reality.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@algo
I don't know how anyone could cycle with a child in Edinburgh and not become angry, even with impeccable road craft like yours. Ours is just an aggressive environment where the need to cycle assertively to stay safe is a constant tightrope-walk. We all wish it wasn't so.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Not even a chap on the door and a wee chat about his driving?
Posted 7 years ago # -
@algo - my solution has been to increasingly take more and more primary positions in the light of such aggression and bullying. Yes, it doesn't help the majority of drivers who now have to cross to the opposing carriageway to overtake, but prevents being squeezed at pinchpoints, being boxed in at lane obstructions etc.
Of course, then you get shouted at for being "in the way", being "in the middle of the road" and the like, and exposing yourself to being "punished" (aka being threatened with death or serious injury) but at least you've prevented the thoughtless or careless driver from taking you out. You're just left with the murderous but they may have been gunning for you anyway...
<sigh>
Robert
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Roibeard - on my own I would absolutely do that, but with the follow-me - it's not me in the way first. I just can't put my daughter in that space - at least not in this exact context - if the car had slowed down then I would have done.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I understand - there may thus be no alternative to only proceeding where drivers have deigned to permit it. Or abandoning the carriageway...
To be honest, most parents opt to retreat to public transport or the private car - and I won't argue with anyone that takes this particular personal risk management approach.
I'm afraid it doesn't get any easier when they start cycling independently, although here you can at least ensure that you're at the back/on the outside, thus most exposed.
Robert
Posted 7 years ago # -
@roibeard
" Yes, it doesn't help the majority of drivers who now have to cross to the opposing carriageway to overtake, " ...
... that's the argument they use, and they're wrong. There's nothing wrong with going to the opposite carriageway to overtake, and everything right with it. If they're not on a dual lane road, to overtake safely (which they obv should only ever do), they should be over the white line, unless there's a solid line prohibiting them (or it's a seriously wide road) ... if there is a solid line, they shouldn't be overtaking anyway because they WILL squeeze the cyclist.Posted 7 years ago # -
"if there is a solid line, they shouldn't be overtaking anyway because they WILL squeeze the cyclist"
Posted 7 years ago # -
@cb - yes, although they should obviously then be crossing the solid line to do so.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Lights at West Maitland Street had been red for at least 3 seconds when the driver in front decided to speed up and go through. She then didn't stop for the cyclist coming from Shandwick Place.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Somewhere between Rubbish Parking and Rubbish (not) Driving.
Gilmore Place outside Tuk Tuk and just beyond is "no stopping at any time", but this didn't stop driver and passenger stopping there for several minutes of conversation - the passenger with the door open and one foot on the pavement, like some vehicular equivalent of the Hays Code.
The bus that came up behind couldn't get through. I received the standard IDGAF response when I told the driver there was a queue of traffic building behind them. I shrugged to the bus driver, having done what I could, and walked my bike round the corner.
Where's a policeman when you need one? Would the police even be bothered or is that a traffic warden offence?
Posted 7 years ago # -
The driver in Holyrood Park who felt it necessary to overtake three other cars at high speed. Unfortunately I was riding in the opposite lane. A near miss for sure as the driver only just squeaked back to their side of the road before hitting me. I reckon if I had been in the middle of my lane there would have been a collision.
This was on the section of road between the Commie Pool and Dynamic Earth exits.
It's times like these that I wish I owned a GoPro...
I was too stunned to have the wits to try and catch the number plate.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Happens every day; I've got long distance chores to do today so was driving and had two drivers do that to me today on the entrance to the park and then the downward stretch. I was directly behind them in a queue at the Parliament. One was clearly a tourist (his passenger had a street map all over the front windscreen - no idea how he could see properly) and the other went through a red light at the top of Easter Road. He was driving a Volvo diesel Chelsea tractor, which I think ticks too many cliché boxes.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"
AN elderly woman has suffered a serious head injury after the Lothian bus she was travelling on was forced to brake sharply to avoid a collision.
The incident happened about 4.45pm on Thursday at the Milton Link junction when a number 44 bus, which was travelling towards Edinburgh city centre, had to brake sharply to avoid a car that pulled in front.
"
Posted 7 years ago # -
Driver of large Pickfords removal van who decided that the roadworks on Roseburn Terrace wouldn't stop him doing some essential bacon roll loading this morning. Chaos ensued.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The driver of a large, black faux by four who only just gave way to me as I was heading west on Teviot Place. I was perhaps partly obscured by the festival boards which have gone up as usual on the traffic island between the two parts of the road (maybe this year I will actually get around to making a complaint about the positioning), but that should be all the more reason to assume that you'll have to give way at the give way markings... I turned to give the driver a hard stare as I passed the bonnet after deciding that evasive action was not going to be required.
Posted 7 years ago # -
After the van overtake the other day (which I reported, and which gained a shoulder shrug of an apology) I've taken to riding with my camera again.
I caught a Prentice Westwood coach going through a red light on the A71 this morning. Not a blatant RLJ but certainly a blatant amber gambler, though an amber phase that lasts less than three seconds strikes me as being a bit short for a road that carries buses and HGVs.
Posted 7 years ago # -
From my front door to the main road is two hundred metres at most and there are two speed bumps in that distance. It's a quiet residential street where families with children and retired people live. The weather is good and it's the summer holidays. There are cars parked along one side of the road.
I'm still wondering what could then have prompted the driver of the Silver Fox Cleaning transit to overtake me by driving with one wheel on the pavement at around 25mph. I was cycling at the exact same speed as I would have driven my automobile there. It's miracle he didn't kill a child and if I rode with a camera I'd be giving a statement to the police right now.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I often see their van (or one of their vans) on my way in to work. Will watch them more closely now, thanks.
Someone overtook me last night on a similar residential street. I'd stopped to let an elderly gentleman finish crossing the road, and due to the speed bumps all along the street a bike is quicker along there than a car. But no, vroom vroom vroommmmmm. I hope my light flashing in their rear view mirror all the way along the street makes them think a bit harder next time.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"there are two speed bumps in that distance. It's a quiet residential street"
Too -
Today, Montpelier Park.
Cycling 2 abreast (quiet, wide).
Driver coming other way threw up her hands (think it was both - so neither on steering wheel) demonstrating (presumably) her annoyance at us doing something that wasn't illegal, dangerous or inconveniencing her in the slightest!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Ive been riding with my camera for over 6 years on city rides ... still rather not and rarely post the footage but despite the hassle it has proved useful.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I often see their van (or one of their vans)
Looks like a one-man band from the website.
I reckon I'd go looking for trouble if I had a camera. That's just me. Plenty of folk have the discipline to forget it's there, just not sure I do.
Posted 7 years ago # -
It's all happening today.
Caught in a classic pincer movement at the junction of George IV Bridge and Chambers Street. heading south through heavy traffic.
Black hatchback pulls out of Chambers Street causing me to halt, surprised. White hatchback going north on George IV Bridge turns right, directly into me causing me to move forward to avoid a collision. Nice weather, windows down so I heard the 'Get out of the road ya f*<&ing idiot!' clearly.
I guess the coach I'd passed on the cycle lane had flashed his lights to encourage everyone to do their manoeuvers regardless of my presence. The ladies in the black hatchback looked abashed. I thought of going after the white hatchback, but what's to be gained?
The Meadows smelt of expensive sun cream though, which was nice.
Posted 7 years ago # -
On the bus today and I've just witnessed some terrifyingly bad driving.
Roseburn Terrace, and a white van driver heading into town crossed over to the other side of the road and drove along the inside lane (ie against the flow). Bad enough, but the woman on the Brompton he was heading straight for had to swerve out the way, not expecting a van to be driving straight at her on the wrong side of the road.
All so the van driver could go for his bacon roll (yes, that's where he went).
Posted 7 years ago #
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