• Replies 8 replies
  • Subscribers 10 subscribers
  • Views 434 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Numpties on the roads

TheCatWoman

I nearly had 3 accidents today 2 withing half a mile of each other, all because people pulled out of junctions without looking. The first one a side road joins a main road, I saw this person going quite fast and thought they didn't look like they were going to stop, so I slowed down, good job I did as the car didn't stop, the driver didn't look, I was about 2 car lengths behind them. Then it happened again very similar thing and again in a car park.

Am I the only person who tries to swivel my head like an owl when pulling out of a car park? Most people just seem to pul out and trust that others aren't going to hit them. It was things like this that made me give up driving for a few years because I couldn't cope with the stress and was having terrible nightmares. I dont' have nightmares now, but I do wonder how some people don't have more accidents, or maybe incedents would be a better word, because there's nothing accidental about what thier doing, it's just thoughtlesseness.

  • It was a while ago now but I was walking through a car park and an EV just started reversing straight out as I was just about to cross behind the car. I realised 2 things that day: EVs have the noise maker at low speeds, but that only starts as the car starts moving; and reversing lights are often not visible from the sides. The driver should have checked more thoroughly, but people not checking before pulling out wasn't any big revelation.

    It does feel like the roads are getting worse, but that's possibly confirmation bias. It doesn't help when I've heard things like people being telling new drivers "motorway driving is easy, just pull into the middle lane then you don't need to change lanes". I've also known someone who would only park in spaces where they could pull in forwards and to the right, because they couldn't park in them otherwise.

    In some ways I don't like the various driver aids like all the parking sensors, cameras, etc. I think it can make people become complacent, but they can also be very good for safety. 

    When people pass, I advise them to keep doing things like parrallel parking, reverse into spaces (it's easier anyway with a bit of practice). I made myself laugh a bit the other day when I reversed round a corner as it reminded me of my driving test. I also pass on lessons I got when I was learning to drive like not to rely on the center mirror, because at some point you'll be driving a van where it either doesn't have one or it's useless.

    It's a tough one. There are people that are not ready and confident enough for the roads I think. Equally though I know people that struggled with the driving test just because it was a test. Now they're on the road they're fine. And there's also people that are just inconsiderate of other road users, that justifies the anxiety some get on the roads.

    It's not just drivers though. I had one the other week which I could see happening. A couple walking along hold hands, a jogger running up behind. Rather than saying excuse me or anything, the jogger just steps straight out onto the road without looking. There was still a gap but my car detected the jogger and automatically applied the brakes.

    ...and the number of people that think hazard lights mean they can park wherever they want.

    Ok getting ranty now so I'll leave it there Joy

  • Hello TheCatWoman,

    driving standards have fallen and many have not kept up with changes to the highway code. Drivers do not look around before pulling out, I too have experienced this. I had a car driving at me when turning left at a junction so I stopped to avoid a crash. Even when walking, I have drivers driving straight at me and ignore rule 206. i agree with you, it is all down to lack of thought and impatience. 

  • I empathise - That's one reason I don't drive. Even crossing the road on foot can be a bit of a lottery sometimes!

  • There lot more people are drinking or thinking about the holiday, I wouldn't drive in busy places without a dashcam. I probably would avoid driving over the period at all. I have had people cut across (not indicating) nearly head on coliding just to get a parking space. I wouldn't want to put them all in boxes, but I have avoided getting out of the vehicle never spoken to them. Lifes too short, lets coexist.

  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

    Cinnabar_wing said:
    And doing get me started about the bl**dy pheasant!!
  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

    Cinnabar_wing said:
    And doing get me started about the bl**dy pheasant!!
  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

    Cinnabar_wing said:
    And doing get me started about the bl**dy pheasant!!

  • Totally, I think being hyper-vigilant helps on the roads, and just assuming everyone else is going to be an idiot helps, not I've still had people bump/scrape/crash into me.

    Country roads are a nightmare this time of year for delivery van drivers!

    And doing get me started about the bl**dy pheasant!! Dumped on the road by lazy landowners, they are the draftest known creatures imaginable. If I didn't hate hurting other living things, it's tempting to plow on, as the poor stupid things are just going to be shot anyway.