Twitter cyclists v Twitter driver video - who's right?
Discussion
Conflict that gets no one anywhere but who is in the wrong here - many seem to think it 100% clear cut:
https://twitter.com/petemorristwit/status/13680179...
https://twitter.com/petemorristwit/status/13680179...
Edited by Ken Figenus on Sunday 7th March 14:13
I can understand the cyclist (the one in yellow) wanting to check on his compadre, but maybe they should have done his shoulder-check before swerving into the middle of the road.
But, I'd also suggest that motorists should be extra careful around cyclists/pedestrians/children as they're known for doing unexpected things and denying any responsibility.
Luckily there was no contact in this case, so nothing to get all het up about.
But, I'd also suggest that motorists should be extra careful around cyclists/pedestrians/children as they're known for doing unexpected things and denying any responsibility.
Luckily there was no contact in this case, so nothing to get all het up about.
Watching it a couple of times more with my phone in full screen, I'm swaying more toward the car driver taking a lot of responsibility.
He can see the cyclist to his offside fall off, there is plenty of traffic and obstacles around, he is approaching the cyclist to his nearside coinciding with a kerbed island in the centre. He should have been dropping speed immediately.
If you look at the way the driver brakes, it makes me suspect he's been gawping at the cyclist who fell off rather than the one ahead of him and is caught by surprise. Bear in mind he has the benefit of forward vision and should be able to see everything unfold ahead of him.
The cyclist shouldn't move across as he did, however an aware and careful driver should have anticipated events better.
He can see the cyclist to his offside fall off, there is plenty of traffic and obstacles around, he is approaching the cyclist to his nearside coinciding with a kerbed island in the centre. He should have been dropping speed immediately.
If you look at the way the driver brakes, it makes me suspect he's been gawping at the cyclist who fell off rather than the one ahead of him and is caught by surprise. Bear in mind he has the benefit of forward vision and should be able to see everything unfold ahead of him.
The cyclist shouldn't move across as he did, however an aware and careful driver should have anticipated events better.
I cycle loads too - just come back from a fab 10 mile leisure run.
It seems beyond clear cut for some that the driver was 100% totally at fault though and they are raging. What I see is that the cyclist goes to do an U turn (since his mate washed out his front wheel on that right turn) but went to do it without looking first. This being the 'lifesaver' look as I was taught... I'd apportion 80% cyclist and 20% driver for being a bit quick with things.
The anti car sentiment in some cyclists on Twitter is something else - crazy statements like they wouldn't need helmets if drivers drove better. Quite a (sad) revelation to me
It seems beyond clear cut for some that the driver was 100% totally at fault though and they are raging. What I see is that the cyclist goes to do an U turn (since his mate washed out his front wheel on that right turn) but went to do it without looking first. This being the 'lifesaver' look as I was taught... I'd apportion 80% cyclist and 20% driver for being a bit quick with things.
The anti car sentiment in some cyclists on Twitter is something else - crazy statements like they wouldn't need helmets if drivers drove better. Quite a (sad) revelation to me
Edited by Ken Figenus on Sunday 7th March 16:19
highway code said:
give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211 to 213 and 214 to 215).
212
When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see Rules 162 to 167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so.
213
Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.
Driver didn't give much room212
When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see Rules 162 to 167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so.
213
Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.
Driver didn't ease off when the cyclist looked over his shoulder.
I am not a cyclist, but I see so many car drivers bully other road users who are not sitting in a crash cage with air bags.
Driver ought to have hung back a little more to clear the island to the right of him before starting to make the overtake imo.
The cyclist didn’t do much more than a wobble that you have to anticipate.
I’d say 25/75 myself, with the driver being the one mostly to blame.
The cyclist didn’t do much more than a wobble that you have to anticipate.
I’d say 25/75 myself, with the driver being the one mostly to blame.
Edited by Durzel on Sunday 7th March 17:43
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff