More Certain Than Death and Taxes
 

On a two lane road , with each lane going in the opposite direction, if there is an obstacle to the oncoming traffic (ambulance, delivery truck, utility truck, bicyclist, etc), the oncoming car will INVARIABLY, cross over the center line forcing traffic on to the opposite shoulder in order to avoid a head on. This action is as certain as the rising of the sun. It occurs without exception. The possibility of slowing down, stopping, and maintaining their own lane is utterly unfathomable. It's not an option.
On sort of related topic, a guy who right-hooked a bicycle was confronted by the rider. When the driver asked the cyclist, "What was I supposed to do?", the cyclist said "Stop and wait". I wish I could capture the look on that driver's face. It was priceless. The possibility of yielding was completely out of the realm of possibility.
If you told an oncoming driver that they can't cross into oncoming traffic to skirt an obstacle, they would have that same look on their face.

Can something be more certain than something that is certain?

Maybe it's a regional thing.

Today I was driving along a road similar to the one described. The oncoming traffic was blocked by a parked a car and I instinctively steered further to the right. The oncoming car, slowed down until I cleared the way for him to proceed. So we both took our safety precautions.

Now, if there was a bicycle on the road, I can tell you for certain, there'd be three or four-in-a-row: parked car, oncoming car, passing car and bike. That happens all the time.

Sort of like the 8 cyclist's coming the opposite direction and behind a true greater than 6 mph runner the other day. They had to swerve into my lane making me have to be the one to slow almost to a stop..... hmm I guess you are right.

But there are exceptions. Me. I slow to the speed of the walker, runner and even the joggers doing the fancy six inch step foot work thing that are slower than some walkers. When no one is coming the opposite way and it's safe to pass then I do so.

But I'm no saint. I'm sure I do stupid stuff that annoys others too. I try not to, it just happens.

In NC it is now legal (and expected) that a motorist will cross over into the oncoming lane to pass a cyclist, even if there is a double yellow line. They must of course yield to oncoming traffic.

I always thought a flat was a certainty. I know of no cyclist that has lived his/her entire life without getting a flat.

But I do know mountain bikers that have never encountered the situation above... thank God.

John

Double post...

...which might be a possible add to the list.

John

I can't recall seeing this behavior. Certainly not a normal practice in CA, AZ, UT, TX, MA, OR, VT CT and more. In all cases I have encountered if there is opposing traffic the driver behind the obstacle will wait until clear.

Stay happy and out of georgia... especially Atlanta!

I see it all the time in CA. Especially certain drivers... those that also tend to cruise stop signs. Nothing stops those folks.

It would seem if drivers are regularly doing this there would be a lot of head on collisions. No different than passing a slower vehicle, (living) drivers wait until opposing traffic is clear.

There is a windy road in NH I no longer ride on because people insist on doing this when they pass me. After the second near head-on I witnessed, I decided it was just too risky. Too bad, beautiful 25 mph road that people insist on driving at 40 mph and can't figure out that they can't see around curves.

When there's no shoulder in the suburbs of Milwaukee, oncoming drivers will leave the road and drive on lawns to let the vehicle behind me to overtake by passing within inches of me. It seems to happen more frequently when I'm able to bike at the speed limit.

I have a lot of people pass me on two land roads when in a perfect world they'd wait. Sometimes oncoming traffic has to slow down to accommodate them. But it never really results in a near collision so I just accept it as a normal part of riding.

Not ten minutes ago; utility truck partially obstructing oncoming traffic, THREE dump trucks swerve halfway into my lane forcing me onto my shoulder to avoid a head on. These are presumably professional drivers. This happen 100% of the time, as sure as the sun rises. Incredible.

I suspect your dump truck drivers are only "professional" in that they are paid to drive these trucks, and have little to no special "professional" training or skills, otherwise.

That's so deliciously pedantic that I wish I'd come up with it myself.

Here in NYC there is that same certainty. Not into oncoming traffic, but traffic moving in the same direction on a 2 or 3 lane road. These people will literally just swerve into your lane without any regard to avoid something. And then when I honk at them they give me the finger like I’m the one who is supposed to politely stop short and allow them to proceed.

What annoys me even more are people who will park half in a parking spot and half in the driving lane forcing people to have to go around them, thus creating the situation mentioned above. It takes 2 seconds to properly move your car so that you are not in the driving lane. But they cannot be bothered. Driving lane be damned; they are going to obstruct it.

I think I need to leave this place.....