Chris Boardman cycling video
Discussion
What do members think about the driving shown in this video? I have a few comments but I'd be interested what others make of it...
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/wa...
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/wa...
Perhaps the biggest hazard when overtaking, that many drivers don't even consider, is not what is already on their road coming in the other direction but what may enter the road during the overtake. Junctions are especially dangerous - the overtaker looks and sees the road as clear, another driver approaches from a side road looking to turn left into the path of the overtaking vehicle, the driver looks to their right only and enters the road. Equally, a driver may turn right out of a side road thinking they have enough space to clear the vehicle that is being overtaken but hasn't anticipated it being overtaken. Lastly, the vehicle being overtaken may decide to turn off to the right across the path of the vehicle overtaking. It's not just obvious side roads - small driveways, concealed entrances to farms, smalltime garden centres / potato sellers / Christmas trees etc are all things to be aware of.
In the video, although the side roads were visible and clear of approaching traffic, the cyclists could have decided to turn off to the right without indicating in a timely fashion or at all, especially on a quiet road where they may have (wrongly) attributed any road traffic noise solely to the car passing them in the opposite direction. It's hard to say without being in the situation but looking at the demonstration video I don't think overtaking where he did was safe. There was also a crest potentially limiting forward vision but looking at the profile the driver may have been able to see if the road was clear ahead. The stop line on the side road might suggest visibility is limited, though.
In the video, although the side roads were visible and clear of approaching traffic, the cyclists could have decided to turn off to the right without indicating in a timely fashion or at all, especially on a quiet road where they may have (wrongly) attributed any road traffic noise solely to the car passing them in the opposite direction. It's hard to say without being in the situation but looking at the demonstration video I don't think overtaking where he did was safe. There was also a crest potentially limiting forward vision but looking at the profile the driver may have been able to see if the road was clear ahead. The stop line on the side road might suggest visibility is limited, though.
Pontoneer said:
The area used for filming struck me as some sort of driving instruction and test facility , not public roads ?
While the comments about junctions and other hazards are perfectly valid , the sequences were shot for demonstration and I wonder if we are reading too much into it ?
Agree, it does look like some sort of facility but I do think that if you're going to create a video of "How to overtake safely" for general public viewing then it shouldn't accidentally or carelessly reinforce poor practice.While the comments about junctions and other hazards are perfectly valid , the sequences were shot for demonstration and I wonder if we are reading too much into it ?
I think it is courteous to indicate left during an overtake when there is traffic coming the other way - even though you are not going to come into conflict with it or cause the oncoming driver to have to slow down or change course it will reassure them that you are moving over and you are not some psychotic lunatic launching your car at them.
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