Drivers pulling out from side streets not looking/giving way

[Thin White Duke]

Today I was driving at 30 in a 30 zone about 10 yards from a side street to my left when a driver pulled out at speed without even a glance to see if anything was on the main road.

Had it not been for the fact he was moving fast I would've surely hit him. There was no way with the trees that he could've known in advance how close I was. I gave a blast on the horn and got no reaction from him. Driver behind me shook his head.

The culprit then sped off.

In fact I've noticed a lot of drivers failing to give way correctly when pulling onto main roads. I was taught not to pull into the main traffic if it would cause someone else to slow down.

I know sometimes we can misjudge a cars speed, but sometimes it's too close for it to be a mistake.

[Thin White Duke]

Toltec said:

I am guessing you passed your test before the mid '90s because I am pretty sure no one has been taught that for the last couple of decades.

The modern version appears to be, don't pull out if they other driver cannot do an emergency stop in time to avoid you. With the additional rule that if the car in front got out so can you.

Actually I passed my test in 2005. My instructor was very old school.

Indeed this modern version is in need of becoming part of the driving test and the highway code.

[Thin White Duke]

Drive Blind said:

When I decide to give up driving, in the few weeks before hanging up my driving gloves, I'm going to buy an old solid car and crash into a few of these folk.

They do it because they know you will brake.

Of course, but that doesn't give them the right to do it.

If someone on the main road couldn't break in time or decided not to, the other driver can't say they have a right to pull out in front of people without being hit.

It certainly is my current biggest gripe.