Life saver, and people who don't

[HertsBiker]

As a motorcyclist I was taught to look over my shoulder before changing lane, for example an overtake manoeuvre. I rarely see car drivers do this, and have NEVER seen a cyclist check before wobbling past a parked car. Do we think this is okay, for any road user?

[Jasandjules]

No.

I do it all the time. I've had passengers ask me what I am doing. The same as when I am asking them to move so I can see the slip road clearly on my left...

[VinceFox]

Always.

[12v3pot]

Always. I can still remember driving one time that I didn't, when going to overtake on the A12> I came VERY close to causing a lot of a grief (to a very quick motorcyclist).

As a cyclist, it's natural to me, too.

[williredale]

Always do it. Wish the woman who pulled out in front of me yesterday had done so as it was bum clenchingly close...

[Toltec]

Do it all the time, but then I used to ride bikes. When cycling I did not always look round, I knew there was a car there as I could hear it and planned appropriately.

[fitz1985]

I had this drilled into me by my driving instructor, and by my IAM instructor.

Actually an interesting observation was made by my IAM assessor for the test who pointed out that at times I almost 'overdid' the life-safer by looking back further than was necessary and in that spent a fraction longer not observing the road ahead. Much like people joining down a slip road who spend too long looking for a gap in the traffic and not at any obstruction that might be further down the slip road.

[John D.]

I do it walking.

[Centurion07]

Started doing it as a friend failed his bike test after not doing one, having never heard the term before I asked him what it was, he explained and I've done it ever since (bikes and cars).

On a pushbike, I will still do it sometimes but not as religously as it's easier to hear vehicles coming behind you than it is on a motorbike or in a car.

[digger the goat]

All the time...!! Again even walking !!

Edit to say... It is the first thing I taught my wife after she passed her test, even though she had seen me do it...
She still does it religously..

Edited by digger the goat on Wednesday 22 May 20:48

[Baryonyx]

All time. One of the most usual things to know whilst driving. You never know when a superbike might have sneaked into your blind spot, so keep an eye on it. I hate being a passenger with a driver who isn't checking their blind spots. I also hate passengers that lean forward and obstruct my over-shoulder view on sliproads to my N/S...

[rumple]

I always look, to many blind spots.

[Blue Oval84]

Always try to do it.

I forgot once, five hours into a six hour journey and promptly very nearly hit a van in the blind spot, swerved back to my lane and almost lost it.

I haven't forgotten again.

[s p a c e m a n]

I don't normally need to do a 'lifesaver' as I pay attention to what is around me all of the time, the only time I will look is if I have been stationary.

The one time I did look over my shoulder to change lane (because I was missing a mirror) the car infront of me broke and I hit it. Yes it was my fault as I was too close and it was a looooong looooong time ago

[Spanna]

I do it a lot more since passing my bike test. Mainly because I do just as many miles on a bike than in a car, so it feels more natural. Always look coming off islands too, over the left shoulder if I'm taking 3rd+ exit and I have a quick look over the left shoulder when passin slip roads too. I too have had a passenger ask what I'm looking at/doing.

[fitz1985]

Does anyone else check the passenger mirror when approaching to pass something like an HGV when in the outside in flowing traffic to spot the odd individual trying to squeeze through?

[davepoth]

A car driving passenger in my car actually had a go at me for doing a lifesaver a few days ago - didn't like me looking over my left shoulder and away from the road ahead...

Pulling back into lane one of an urban DC, plenty of cyclists and joining traffic, the kind of place where something can pop into the blind spot unnoticed.

[jackh707]

John D. said:

I do it walking.

Thank god I'm not alone. I must be the consequence of riding everyday.

Walk down the street, right turn coming up, right shoulder check.
Shopping at the supermarket, turning the trolley into an isle, shoulder check.

I must look paranoid, I realise that I've done it each time feel stupid and try not to do it again.

[Krikkit]

Sometimes I catch myself doing it when walking, most of the time I'm an irritating passenger by doing it whilst being driven...

[Jimbo.]

Always!

I forgot. Once. On my CBT. I can't repeat *exactly* what the instructor screamed down my earpiece, but suffice to say, my ear is still ringing, 14 years later.