When YOU are the Motorist
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
When YOU are the Motorist
I am a very cautious motorist and I take driving safety very seriously. But, like everyone who has driven as long as I have, I've had some "close calls" where I thought I could have been better in retrospect. I had one yesterday. I turned right on to a road on which a motorcyle was approaching from my left, and I did not see him as early as I should have. He was on a light colored motorcycle and the angle of the sun was such that it washed out his headlight quite a bit. It was not THAT close of a call, but it was definitely sub standard for me. The motorcyclist over-reacted IMO. Angrily passing me and giving me the finger. That was probably more dangerous than the original incident. Nevertheless, it was a reminder to be more vigilant.
I also had an incident once where I didn't see a road cyclist because he was obscured by my pillar. It made me realize what a small profile cyclists present, and now I always double check that pillar.
Have you had any incidents that you're not quite proud of?
I also had an incident once where I didn't see a road cyclist because he was obscured by my pillar. It made me realize what a small profile cyclists present, and now I always double check that pillar.
Have you had any incidents that you're not quite proud of?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,204
Bikes: ...a few.
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2012 Post(s)
Liked 409 Times
in
235 Posts
Right-turning vehicles on red lights are the worst, IMO. Many of them see that the right lane has a small gap, even if the left lane traffic is zooming past a speed, and they proceed to make the right turn, often forcing the vehicle on the right lane to brake, and sometimes brake hard, depending on how big that gap is. Yes, cars aren't supposed to make lane changes in an intersection, but the risk of someone doing so is high enough that I just won't take that chance.
#3
DeadheadDave
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 94
Bikes: 1 Trek road bike, 1 Cannondale
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I made a right turn on a red light without checking to my right first. There was a bicyclist coming down the road and I was lucky not to hit him. He reacted rather angrily.
In my defense, my car was overheating and I was two hours away from home.
Nowadays I use that incident as an example why you should not ride against (car) traffic.
In my defense, my car was overheating and I was two hours away from home.
Nowadays I use that incident as an example why you should not ride against (car) traffic.
#4
On Holiday
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,014
Bikes: A bunch of old steel bikes
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
12 Posts
Right-turning vehicles on red lights are the worst, IMO. Many of them see that the right lane has a small gap, even if the left lane traffic is zooming past a speed, and they proceed to make the right turn, often forcing the vehicle on the right lane to brake, and sometimes brake hard, depending on how big that gap is. Yes, cars aren't supposed to make lane changes in an intersection, but the risk of someone doing so is high enough that I just won't take that chance.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,204
Bikes: ...a few.
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2012 Post(s)
Liked 409 Times
in
235 Posts
Worse still are the drivers who make right turn when I, in my left turn lane, have a left turn signal. Both vehicles are turning onto the same road. Sometime there is only one lane onto which to turn. That's a crash waiting to happen. Even where are two-lanes, if I were the one wanting to make that right turn do I really trust that the left turning car will stay on the left side of the road?
I agree. I don't like the RTORAS either. People think that saving a few seconds of time is worth putting yourself at risk of a crash.
I agree. I don't like the RTORAS either. People think that saving a few seconds of time is worth putting yourself at risk of a crash.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,204
Bikes: ...a few.
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2012 Post(s)
Liked 409 Times
in
235 Posts
As a motorist, and I do drive on a few occasions, I do take extra precautions to not be involved in any collisions. As I said earlier, the time you take to be cautious and defensive when behind the wheel is more than made up for the time you'd lose if you were involved in a collision when you are inattentive and reckless. I just keep that in mind.
As for cyclists, I am extra mindful of them, giving them plenty of space when passing.
As for cyclists, I am extra mindful of them, giving them plenty of space when passing.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
As a motorist, and I do drive on a few occasions, I do take extra precautions to not be involved in any collisions. As I said earlier, the time you take to be cautious and defensive when behind the wheel is more than made up for the time you'd lose if you were involved in a collision when you are inattentive and reckless. I just keep that in mind.
As for cyclists, I am extra mindful of them, giving them plenty of space when passing.
As for cyclists, I am extra mindful of them, giving them plenty of space when passing.
#9
Senior Member
I almost hit a guy on a bicycle near downtown Chicago last weekend. I was coming out of a parking garage on to a 4 lane street, I checked the sidewalk and the lane I was turing into, then he popped out from behind some construction riding against traffic just as I was turning out into the street. I move over and stopped. He stopped, but he had forced me out into the other lane and the car coming in the left hand lane had to brake. The guy honked, I turned back into the right hand lane, the guy on the bike kept going the wrong way down the street hugging the curb.
Nobody got hurt, no accident, it happens. But it could have been worse.
Would that still be considered a right hook?
Nobody got hurt, no accident, it happens. But it could have been worse.
Would that still be considered a right hook?
#10
Senior Member
I am a very cautious motorist and I take driving safety very seriously. But, like everyone who has driven as long as I have, I've had some "close calls" where I thought I could have been better in retrospect. I had one yesterday. I turned right on to a road on which a motorcyle was approaching from my left, and I did not see him as early as I should have. He was on a light colored motorcycle and the angle of the sun was such that it washed out his headlight quite a bit. It was not THAT close of a call, but it was definitely sub standard for me. The motorcyclist over-reacted IMO. Angrily passing me and giving me the finger. That was probably more dangerous than the original incident. Nevertheless, it was a reminder to be more vigilant.
I also had an incident once where I didn't see a road cyclist because he was obscured by my pillar. It made me realize what a small profile cyclists present, and now I always double check that pillar.
Have you had any incidents that you're not quite proud of?
I also had an incident once where I didn't see a road cyclist because he was obscured by my pillar. It made me realize what a small profile cyclists present, and now I always double check that pillar.
Have you had any incidents that you're not quite proud of?
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
As an occasional motorcyclist I"m curious if you recall anything about the motorcyclist's lane position? I am at my most defensive when riding my MC because I know how vulnerable I am...more vulnerable than on my bicycle IMO. I'd ride the MC more, but I tend to choose the bicycle instead.
#12
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
I like to go the extra cautious step of "looking twice."
Whenever I am about to make a lane change or RTOR, or even leave a stop sign, I take a second look. It just takes a second more... but it means my decision is not based on that "quick glance" that can lead to folks being hidden behind pillars, or really being closer than I thought...
Try it, make a new safe habit today to always take a second look.
Whenever I am about to make a lane change or RTOR, or even leave a stop sign, I take a second look. It just takes a second more... but it means my decision is not based on that "quick glance" that can lead to folks being hidden behind pillars, or really being closer than I thought...
Try it, make a new safe habit today to always take a second look.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
I drive around a hundred miles a day. The one thing that still gets me is people that insist on sitting in my blind spot on multi lane roads, the ones that will get off your rear quarter panel and just drive alongside at the same speed. I'm pretty good on situational awareness and knowing where vehicles are around me, but I've been forcing myself to look on every lane change, just in case someone snuck in there.
Other than that, I am a pretty easy going driver. I don't try to force things, even when I am more than capable of doing so.
Other than that, I am a pretty easy going driver. I don't try to force things, even when I am more than capable of doing so.
#14
Full Member
I doored a guy once. I blame it on my dear departed mother-in-law. She wasn't actually in the car at the time but had been long enough to account for my addled state of mind.
This happened on a busy d/t street. The car was a two door with a big heavy door that I threw open and got him right in the sternum and slammed him violently to the ground as he was booking right along.
I was duly mortified and got out to help but dude jumped up wild-eyed like, grabbed the bike (which I noted was a junker mtn. bike with detached front brake) by the handlebar and sprinted away dragging it down the street behind him until he could wrench it around to perform a flying mount and pedal frantically away.
shrug.....
https://www.thebeaverton.com/2018/05...-cyclist-cull/
This happened on a busy d/t street. The car was a two door with a big heavy door that I threw open and got him right in the sternum and slammed him violently to the ground as he was booking right along.
I was duly mortified and got out to help but dude jumped up wild-eyed like, grabbed the bike (which I noted was a junker mtn. bike with detached front brake) by the handlebar and sprinted away dragging it down the street behind him until he could wrench it around to perform a flying mount and pedal frantically away.
shrug.....
https://www.thebeaverton.com/2018/05...-cyclist-cull/
Last edited by tungsten; 06-03-18 at 08:33 PM.
#15
Senior Member
I'm out of town and I rented a car. As soon as I got in, I got nervous. Because it wasn't my car AND I don't want to get into a collision, there's only so much I can do to be careful, there's much less I can do about others being careless. That's something every motorist should have as their top priority when they get behind the wheel. Only two days and I've already seen a bunch of wackos (turning left from behind another car waiting for the light to change; crossing fourlanes from the right hand lane to the left hand lane at the traffic light.) And then there's the news about somebody jumping the curb and smashing into a Dollar Store.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LF, APMAT
Posts: 2,752
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 623 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 397 Times
in
226 Posts
My car has really thick "A" pillars. I've noticed over the years that pedestrians and cyclist can easily "hide" in that blind spot, especially if we are moving at certain angles. This has lead to some close calls. I have learned to compensate by moving my head head back and forth to see around the pillars and driving slowly in turns.
Last edited by bikecrate; 06-06-18 at 09:45 AM.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
It's probably not what you want to hear, but I've never while driving had a close call with a cyclist or pedestrian. That I know of. Driving since 1974. Just pay attention.
#18
Senior Member
First off, when adults give other adults "the finger" I have at that point, immediately categorized anything they have to say or complain about as irrelevant. There are a lot or people/traffic out there, many more than 30 years ago. People make mistakes and people do dumb stuff. Rant about it in your own car but otherwise, deal with it as an adult. But shouting obscenities or "saying it all" with the finger?...What are you 16?...grow up.
Yes I've done many stupid things while driving. But there is nothing of note worth mentioning that comes to mind at this point from recent years.
I will say, as a motorists it &^$% me off when cyclists ride two or three abreast and block a lane and refuse to go single file. I'll be patient, I'll be courteous, I'll wait until I can pass safely with plenty of space, but give me room dang it! When I'm cycling, I ride out in the lane and move to the side when a car approaches from behind. Sometimes I take the lane depending on circumstance, but I always make it as easy as I can for cars overtaking me to pass. I have little problem with aggressive drivers. The SHARE THE ROAD plan has to work both
ways for it to work.
Yes I've done many stupid things while driving. But there is nothing of note worth mentioning that comes to mind at this point from recent years.
I will say, as a motorists it &^$% me off when cyclists ride two or three abreast and block a lane and refuse to go single file. I'll be patient, I'll be courteous, I'll wait until I can pass safely with plenty of space, but give me room dang it! When I'm cycling, I ride out in the lane and move to the side when a car approaches from behind. Sometimes I take the lane depending on circumstance, but I always make it as easy as I can for cars overtaking me to pass. I have little problem with aggressive drivers. The SHARE THE ROAD plan has to work both
ways for it to work.
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
First off, when adults give other adults "the finger" I have at that point, immediately categorized anything they have to say or complain about as irrelevant. There are a lot or people/traffic out there, many more than 30 years ago. People make mistakes and people do dumb stuff. Rant about it in your own car but otherwise, deal with it as an adult. But shouting obscenities or "saying it all" with the finger?...What are you 16?...grow up.
Yes I've done many stupid things while driving. But there is nothing of note worth mentioning that comes to mind at this point from recent years.
I will say, as a motorists it &^$% me off when cyclists ride two or three abreast and block a lane and refuse to go single file. I'll be patient, I'll be courteous, I'll wait until I can pass safely with plenty of space, but give me room dang it! When I'm cycling, I ride out in the lane and move to the side when a car approaches from behind. Sometimes I take the lane depending on circumstance, but I always make it as easy as I can for cars overtaking me to pass. I have little problem with aggressive drivers. The SHARE THE ROAD plan has to work both
ways for it to work.
Yes I've done many stupid things while driving. But there is nothing of note worth mentioning that comes to mind at this point from recent years.
I will say, as a motorists it &^$% me off when cyclists ride two or three abreast and block a lane and refuse to go single file. I'll be patient, I'll be courteous, I'll wait until I can pass safely with plenty of space, but give me room dang it! When I'm cycling, I ride out in the lane and move to the side when a car approaches from behind. Sometimes I take the lane depending on circumstance, but I always make it as easy as I can for cars overtaking me to pass. I have little problem with aggressive drivers. The SHARE THE ROAD plan has to work both
ways for it to work.
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My car has really thick "A" pillars. I've noticed over the years that pedestrians and cyclist can easily "hide" in that blind spot, especially it we are moving at certain angles. This has lead to some close calls. I have learned to compensate by moving my head head back and forth to see around the pillars and driving slowly in turns.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 94
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Due to federal regulations, side pillars must cover passengers' heads, with the result the pillars are quite wide and limit visibility. In other words, the regulation of attempting to save lives ironically results in not saving lives.
About a year ago I dorked a young scooter rider who cursed at me. I simply stopped, and said, "I apologize, I did not see you when I should have." He was rather taken aback but it was about then I greatly reduced my driving to near zero (drove four times in the past two months).
I've simply had it with our car centric culture, it's ridiculous to put such dangerous things in the hands of such inattentive overly emotional creatures such as us, where the penalty is so severe usually born by people least able to defend themselves (in my case the young poor kid on the scooter).
Not that I'm particularly concerned with the well-being of others; it's just that shoving it to a kid like that is an affront to my sense of fair play.
About a year ago I dorked a young scooter rider who cursed at me. I simply stopped, and said, "I apologize, I did not see you when I should have." He was rather taken aback but it was about then I greatly reduced my driving to near zero (drove four times in the past two months).
I've simply had it with our car centric culture, it's ridiculous to put such dangerous things in the hands of such inattentive overly emotional creatures such as us, where the penalty is so severe usually born by people least able to defend themselves (in my case the young poor kid on the scooter).
Not that I'm particularly concerned with the well-being of others; it's just that shoving it to a kid like that is an affront to my sense of fair play.
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well, let's just say that the data collection protocol for this question is highly subjective. For instance, in the case of the incident with the motorcylce, you might not have counted that as a close call. Was it? Well according to my standards,it was. To another driver, maybe it wasn't. For the average driver, it would be "remakable" to drive 40 odd years with zero incidents. I'm not saying that I don't believe it, but I don't believe it.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
Well, let's just say that the data collection protocol for this question is highly subjective. For instance, in the case of the incident with the motorcylce, you might not have counted that as a close call. Was it? Well according to my standards,it was. To another driver, maybe it wasn't. For the average driver, it would be "remakable" to drive 40 odd years with zero incidents. I'm not saying that I don't believe it, but I don't believe it.
The problem here isn't how credible my driving record might be - it's the attitude that "stuff happens", that it's unavoidable. It's not actually that remarkable, not that difficult, but drivers will first have to accept that good drivers don't have these close calls, not seeing a bike or person, a moment of inattentiveness. If drivers do have incidents, then there is something wrong with what they're doing.