Now you see him....
Discussion
I am annoyed to find this advert on the TV again. The one where the guy looks in his mirror and see's a bike ('now you see him'), and then looks back and he's gone ('now you don't'). For those who don't know it ends up with the car making a right turn and the bike crashing into the side of the car.
But what's this? What can I hear well before the car turns... tick-tick tick-tick tick-tick tick-tick...it's an indicator. So the car is indicating it's going to turn right and the biker still tries to go past on the right-hand side? And then the advert tries to indicate it's the car drivers fault??
I really wish the makers of these adverts would double check that the person they are indicating is actually at fault before they release them.
But what's this? What can I hear well before the car turns... tick-tick tick-tick tick-tick tick-tick...it's an indicator. So the car is indicating it's going to turn right and the biker still tries to go past on the right-hand side? And then the advert tries to indicate it's the car drivers fault??
I really wish the makers of these adverts would double check that the person they are indicating is actually at fault before they release them.
Now you see him....Now you see him...NOW YOU SEE HIM...NOW YOU SEE HIM 
NOW YOU SEE HIM
Just thought I'd remind you of the advert....I personally like it...I'm a biker after all...
I agree with the sentiments that the biker shouldn't have been overtaking at a junction, but if the biker is an inexperienced learner on L plates with a CBT certificate only, such things occur. Better use of mirrors by the car driver prior to turning right....wouldn't have hurt the driver....besides, would have saved a hour at the roadside and a dented car...
Street
NOW YOU SEE HIM Just thought I'd remind you of the advert....I personally like it...I'm a biker after all...
I agree with the sentiments that the biker shouldn't have been overtaking at a junction, but if the biker is an inexperienced learner on L plates with a CBT certificate only, such things occur. Better use of mirrors by the car driver prior to turning right....wouldn't have hurt the driver....besides, would have saved a hour at the roadside and a dented car...
Street
We've debated the same ad over on Visordown, a biker's forum. The general consensus is the same as yours, the biker was a plonker to overtake there and should bear the blame. However - if the driver had done a shoulder check before he turned, he would have seen the bike. In addition, the Highway Code advises car drivers that
187 It is often difficult to see motorcyclists and cyclists especially when they are coming up from behind, coming out of junctions and at roundabouts.
135 Check the blind spot before moving off
137 Be aware that mirrors do not cover all areas and there will be blind spots. You will need to look round and check.
187 It is often difficult to see motorcyclists and cyclists especially when they are coming up from behind, coming out of junctions and at roundabouts.
135 Check the blind spot before moving off
137 Be aware that mirrors do not cover all areas and there will be blind spots. You will need to look round and check.
As a biker I fully blame the bike in this one.
I was always trained to stay OUT of the cars blindspot and to MAKE SURE they could see me BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT before performing any manuvure that could put me / them in danger.
If I dont observe the above then anything that happens to me is due to my own f**kwittedness, like the biker on the ad.
I was always trained to stay OUT of the cars blindspot and to MAKE SURE they could see me BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT before performing any manuvure that could put me / them in danger.
If I dont observe the above then anything that happens to me is due to my own f**kwittedness, like the biker on the ad.
Yep. Total plonker of a biker.
Yep. The add is phrased to target the blame at the driver.
On the other hand, I trust most people on here would check over the shoulder before turning in the circumstances shown on the ad. After all, you know the biker is somewhere around but you can't see him in the mirrors. He has to be somewhere - he can't have disappeared into thin air.
Yep. The add is phrased to target the blame at the driver.
On the other hand, I trust most people on here would check over the shoulder before turning in the circumstances shown on the ad. After all, you know the biker is somewhere around but you can't see him in the mirrors. He has to be somewhere - he can't have disappeared into thin air.
Well I'm not a biker, but trying to be impartial about that advert I feel that too much blame is being attributed to the driver.
I try to work on the basis that we all make mistakes at times, and we should be trying to help each other to get away with them if you know what I mean, and it's a two way process.
If the car driver signalled early enough and was properly positioned for his right turn, it seems to me the primary error was the biker attempting to overtake at that time.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
I try to work on the basis that we all make mistakes at times, and we should be trying to help each other to get away with them if you know what I mean, and it's a two way process.
If the car driver signalled early enough and was properly positioned for his right turn, it seems to me the primary error was the biker attempting to overtake at that time.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Streetcop said:
I suppose if it makes only a handful of driver look out more for motorcyclists, it will be worth it.. 
Street
With you 100% there street
Thanks to a car pulling directly into my path, I lost 2" out of a leg in a SMIDSY when I was nineteen. My mistake was assuming the dithering old idiot knew the highway code. Anything that has people making lifesavers is a good thing in my books. Do they teach lifesavers to car drivers?
If you look on safespeed, there are some alarming shots of a bike TOTALLY obscured by a windscreen pillar.
Think once, think twice (thump) Think bike! Yes, I know it was a stupid overtake in the advert, but it makes a point
I don't think they do teach lifesavers to car drivers. I don't remember being taught it for my car test, though that was some time ago and they may have changed it - somehow doubt it though. It certainly wasn't drilled in at every point from the word go as it was for the bike test.
I agree the scenario shown is ill-thought-out. It would be better to show a biker getting lost behind the A-pillar of a car waiting at a give way line, or perhaps getting hidden behind a vehicle which is about to turn left into the junction, but probably harder to film it in such a way as to clearly convey to the watcher exactly where all the vehicles are and what is going wrong in such a short bit of film. But someone doing a dodgy overtake is a major reason for doing a lifesaver before turning right.
I agree the scenario shown is ill-thought-out. It would be better to show a biker getting lost behind the A-pillar of a car waiting at a give way line, or perhaps getting hidden behind a vehicle which is about to turn left into the junction, but probably harder to film it in such a way as to clearly convey to the watcher exactly where all the vehicles are and what is going wrong in such a short bit of film. But someone doing a dodgy overtake is a major reason for doing a lifesaver before turning right.
There used to be a great SMIDSY one about seeing any biker at T-junctions.
Sadly - these have disappeared from our screens. But have to say - the ones I remember seeing as a boy - I still remember in great detail. I am hard pushed to remember the visual images and even the actual wording of the current set.
And it is not "getting older" either. Straw poll of all ages shows this is case.
What ever has happened to creative advert people these days?
Guess another casualty of the dumbed down education we seem to be getting ...... across the board ...
Sadly - these have disappeared from our screens. But have to say - the ones I remember seeing as a boy - I still remember in great detail. I am hard pushed to remember the visual images and even the actual wording of the current set.
And it is not "getting older" either. Straw poll of all ages shows this is case.
What ever has happened to creative advert people these days?
Guess another casualty of the dumbed down education we seem to be getting ...... across the board ...
supraman2954 said:
Personally, I like to look where I am going, as opposed to turning my head around, when I am about to pull away. I also reckon that no amount of blind spot checking will prevent that kind of accident occuring if the motorcyclist is attempting that manoeuvre at a fair rate of knots.
Got to agree with that. Does anyone here really look over their shoulder, when you're stationary in a queue of traffic, indicating and waiting to turn right? Fair enough on a motorway / dual carriageway.
I completely agree with the objective of the ad (to get cars 'n bikes to look out for each other)
However, it's been commission and filmed by idiots. Hence the message is lost in a confusing ad, where the car driver is blamed for some truly appalling riding by the biker. Annoying for both drivers and riders, as you can see from the posts here.
When on my push bike, in similar situations, i stay the hell out of cars blind spots. Rules I follow are bike (8kg lump of weak tubes) v car (1.5 tonnes of metal), car wins. Car (1.5 tonne lump of metal) v truck (XX tones of metal, +cargo) truck wins.
If you're small and feeble don't bump into big heavy things. The same thing applies in the pub.
In your car would you ever overtake a car indicating to turn right? I don't think so.
But a quick look over the right shoulder to check your blind spot should be second nature. I was never taught it. I just learned after a couple of near misses early in my driving career. But does my mother do it? Nope. Does my girlfriend do it? Only when i shout at her.
Do you sit in lane 1 or lane 2 drivers blindspots on the motorway? I've had too many idiots pull out without checking their blindspot to.
In the add. Biker, idiot. Driver, unlucky idiot.
>> Edited by wilkos on Friday 3rd September 09:47
If you're small and feeble don't bump into big heavy things. The same thing applies in the pub.
In your car would you ever overtake a car indicating to turn right? I don't think so.
But a quick look over the right shoulder to check your blind spot should be second nature. I was never taught it. I just learned after a couple of near misses early in my driving career. But does my mother do it? Nope. Does my girlfriend do it? Only when i shout at her.
Do you sit in lane 1 or lane 2 drivers blindspots on the motorway? I've had too many idiots pull out without checking their blindspot to.
In the add. Biker, idiot. Driver, unlucky idiot.
>> Edited by wilkos on Friday 3rd September 09:47
Raify said:If the bike is approaching at a rate of knots a) he was far enough back that the overtake would be totally reckless; and b) he'd probably appear in your mirrors as he approached.
Personally, I like to look where I am going, as opposed to turning my head around, when I am about to pull away. I also reckon that no amount of blind spot checking will prevent that kind of accident occuring if the motorcyclist is attempting that manoeuvre at a fair rate of knots.
You are correct, I don't normally check over the shoulder. But my point is that once the biker has appeared in your mirrors you are aware that he is on the road. Therefore if a mirror check just before you pull away doesn't reveal him and over-the-shoulder check is required.
He simply cannot have vanished into thin air!Streetcop said:
I suppose if it makes only a handful of driver look out more for motorcyclists, it will be worth it..
Street
Except that it sends out a mixed message. The car driver should have used a lifesaver but didn't. A DSA pass doesn't require a lifesaver. So how can we expect a "standard" car driver to use a tool that they have not been trained in.
The motorcycle driver, however, overtook when the car driver was indicating.
Personally, I find this a bit of a travesty. This is the first road safey educational message I have seen for a long long time and they get the message wrong and apply blame to a car driver when the blame should rest with the biker.
This, IMHO, is another indication why the people in charge of road safety policy in this country and utterly clueless.
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