Cyclist ignores red light, gets hit, driver is prosecuted...
Discussion
chow pan toon said:
The driver admitted the offence so maybe you should be rolling your eyes at him.
I find it best to check whether any traffic is coming whenever I go across a junction regardless of traffic light colour. Avoids this type of unpleasantness.
My bet would be the driver said something really really stupid to police when they where on the scene, "He came out of nowhere", "The light was green, I thought I could just go", "I was looking at my radio/phone/watch/out the window and didn't see him come into my path" etc etc. Most likely as a natural reaction to try and justify to himself how he has inadvertently injured someone. It is against the nature of many to claim fault of the injured party when you are absolutely fine yourself. Even though sadly this is how the world works. I find it best to check whether any traffic is coming whenever I go across a junction regardless of traffic light colour. Avoids this type of unpleasantness.
heebeegeetee said:
I suspect the confusion is because most drivers think that a green light means 'Go Regardless'.
try that in London and you'll smack into/get run down by one of the half dozen cars that seem to 'sneak' through every red light.(but that's obviously ok because 'everyone does it, innit')
hairyben said:
If it reduces anyones blood pressure any.... I had 3 cyclists pull up one behind the other on my inside earlier (in the van and indicating left), as the lights changed I went forward, cyclist no1 blissfully cruised through my blind spot kill zone carefree as only a cyclist can be, but much to my amazement cyclist no2 was one of those rare beasts to sense unsighted conflicting paths and OMFG actually pause as the road split to allow my turn... only to be rammed up the arse by cyclist no3.
So the evidence of your observation would suggest that 2 out of 3 cyclists are arse holes.From past experience I would certainly agree with that ratio.
johnxjsc1985 said:
chow pan toon said:
The driver admitted the offence so maybe you should be rolling your eyes at him.
I find it best to check whether any traffic is coming whenever I go across a junction regardless of traffic light colour. Avoids this type of unpleasantness.
good common road sense .I find it best to check whether any traffic is coming whenever I go across a junction regardless of traffic light colour. Avoids this type of unpleasantness.
Randy Winkman said:
And note that the Mail is keen to tell us the cyclist wearing a helmet.
It's the wail. Of course it's VERY important point. Though I must admit I do ride with a helmet. (Train as you Race)TBH I don't know why Austin admitted it. Crap legal advice or maybe this was the lesser of 2 evils. Perhaps he was over the limit? Not that it made any difference to this crash. This was the bike riders fault.
heebeegeetee said:
Two people collide, both are prosecuted. Is there a problem with that?
I suspect the confusion is because most drivers think that a green light means 'Go Regardless'.
I had a lorry driver claim I had damaged his load by forcing him to emergency stop at a red light. According to him I was in the more wrong pulling out in front of him on green light than he was running the red. He wanted my details and was looking for me to pay for the damage. I told him there hadn't been an accident, his running the red light was on CCTV and if he had a problem he should phone the police. I then made off. My excuse was he was so angry I thought he was going to kill me.I suspect the confusion is because most drivers think that a green light means 'Go Regardless'.
I had a green filter to make a right turn. I recon the chancer saw there were no cars emerging from the road to his left (the road I turned into) and didn't realise traffic turning across him from his right had a green filter so decided to go for it. Just as I made the turn I remember thinking "that bugger doesn't look like he's wanting to stop".
When he braked it sounded like a car crash inside the lorry.
Digby said:
Extremely vulnerable people, ignoring the fact they are extremely vulnerable.
Welcome to the world of cycling.
Extremely vulnerable? Aside from cyclists living longer than non cyclists on average (google it), pedestrians and motor bikers are more vulnerable.Welcome to the world of cycling.
I wouldn't call being second out of four 'extreme'.
heebeegeetee said:
Digby said:
Extremely vulnerable people, ignoring the fact they are extremely vulnerable.
Welcome to the world of cycling.
Extremely vulnerable? Aside from cyclists living longer than non cyclists on average (google it), pedestrians and motor bikers are more vulnerable.Welcome to the world of cycling.
I wouldn't call being second out of four 'extreme'.
kingston12 said:
True, but then the driver is given the more serious charge of the two which might be interpreted as the law saying that it is still the driver's overall responsibility to prevent a collision regardless of what the cyclist has done beforehand.
I am not saying that is necessarily wrong as everyone should be responsible for trying their utmost to prevent accidents, just that it might send out the wrong message to some cyclists.
That is exactly what the law is saying. If a cyclist/pedestrian/child/horse appears in front of your car when they shouldn't then it is your responsibility as a driver not to hit them. Doesn't mean they are right and doesn't mean they won't be prosecuted, but it does (rightly or wrongly - rightly IMO) mean you will get the book thrown at you if you hit them.I am not saying that is necessarily wrong as everyone should be responsible for trying their utmost to prevent accidents, just that it might send out the wrong message to some cyclists.
Had this happen to me recently, green light for me came on, off I go and a quick look to my right reveals two lycra clad gentleman on thier cycles just clearing a blind spot. Thankfully a good habit to check before proceeding otherwise these two chappies would have had broken legs and me a 'without due care and attention'ticket. But why do some cycle riders blatantly ignore so much traffic legislation and plain common sense
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