Lifesavers - do they save lives?

[Milo]

Undoubtedly yes - but have they ever saved youfrom being the centre of a potentially major accident?

I like to think that I'm very aware of what's around me, but a couple of time a car's somehow sneaked in to my blind spot and I'd have gone strait into his path if it weren't for a lifesaver.
Given me a good little shock at the time too when a car suddenly appears next to you!
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[foxbat]

If they're done properly and in the right circumstances, then 'yes' they should always save your life.

Like looking both ways before crossing the road.
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[MarJay]

Saved me plenty of times, saved me in a car as well as a bike too (out of habit I guess).
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[JonB]

Yep, first time on a motorway looked in right mirror, nothing there went to pull out, looked over shoulder...there was a red escort that was completely in my blind spot, without the lifesaver I would have smacked straight into it.
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[Zen Dog]

Yep, they've saved me a few times, although i do think some of the ones they teach you in DAS are just stupid.

I do keep forgetting to do them before i overtake though, which is a really really bad habit.

Zen Dog
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[killa]

On my test and in the lessons I found the life saver annoying and performed in some situations you really need to take a better look.
This thing about before you turn you should look, like maybe a bicycle or something has snuck up, when I turn I don’t allow enough room for a car and a bike would be pushing it’s luck getting between me and the curb.
I rarely use mirrors, I like to take a quick look by turning my body slightly (obviously taking into account the road ahead) and then you know exactly what’s going on.
Mirrors on most bikes are inaccurate to distance and size, makes things seem a little further away and cuts out the view of a 45 degree angle backwards (the blind spot). With one quick turn I can assess more distance, more effectively and a good view of what’s going on there allows you to plan the road ahead.
Yeah I agree use mirrors but calling that a ‘life saver’ is a little over kill, call it a safe look or something.

For example, you’re on a busy motorway in the left lane, you’ll check your mirrors before coming up to say a roundabout.
Usually the yellow lines are there to indicate to slow down (a distraction in my eyes), so you look back with the mirrors (as you are changing situation and speed) you spot two cars directly behind you, as you come closer to the roundabout you may take a look to the right. All of these actions are taking time and in two looks at separate times things can change, I think if you take a look back over you shoulder you can asses how you are going to stop, maybe you should slow down very gradually as that truck or car is coming up far too fast fast. Or I should get into the right lane as there is no traffic (thinking ahead to a dopey driver behind you in the left lane).
You have taken one look, when you look forward again you can spot check the mirrors for any change.

A lot of riders who take the Highway Code and lessons too seriously end up being frightened of evolving their riding techniques.
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[Chriss]

[Bendy]

I found that the by-the-book technique I was taught on my DAS isn't terribly practical in normal day to day traffic, but have evolved my own system that works perfectly well for me - I'd imagine that most people do the same over time.

I also do lifesavers in the car, the prime one being when you're changing lanes on the motorway - it's amazing to see how many people don't bother checking. I've probably found something sat in my blind spot more often with car lifesavers than with bike ones.

Incidentally, I never used to do them when I was tooling around on my scooter as I was convinced they were pointless and my mirrors were ample. Then I nearly rode under a London bus...

[Adam_P]

They haven't saved me from a major accident on the bike yet, but them, I use them all the time, so in theory, you shouldn't get into a big shunt because you're aware of whats going on around you!

However, they've saved me from no end of shunts when I've been in the car and some stupid wanker has not indicated or tried to overtake when they shouldn't have.

Lifesavers, for life, not just for bikes.

Shame more people in cars don't use them, there would be far less accidents, especially on motorways and dual carriageways.
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[Vespa]

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[feef]

have saved me in the car as often as they have on the bike.

a
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Definatly saved a few in the car, and a few on the bike. Once I was a passenger in a car which would definatly have squished a bike if I hadn't done a lifesaver and shouted.

All the best

Keith
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[Zoffo]

Is amazing how many people insist in riding in your blind spot when theyre on ride outs. I always follow the rule that I should be able to see the visor of the pilot in front when staggering. That way I know he can see me.
If you don't check the blind spot before an overtake or lane change the twat riding on your heels will have you both off.
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[easy]

[Kickstart]

[Ninja]

[chinupkneedow...]

Have you ever noticed that you do lifesavers in a busy street?

I have noticed that I always do them when trying to weave my way through a busy street!
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[Ninja]

[binge]

Never on the bike. But once in my car.
I was about to change lanes on the A2 when I felt the need to take a look over my shoulder...

There was a car next to me.

I couldnt see it in my mirrors though...


So I guess they have saved me once. In a car...

<|Ben|>

[JonB]

Ever notice that once you jump on a pushbike you start doing lifesavers on one of those as well?
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[Zoffo]

[distortion]

cant say its saved me on the bike yet but there important !!!

like bendy ive got my own way of doing them about 3 times if i remember correctly

And the same as keith I do lifesavers as a passenger, even though the mrs does them when she drives i find myself doing them as well

[pipnet11]

Had some close misses that would have been collisions if it wasnt for lifesavers. I do them all the time as it takes no time and the are called lifesavers for a reason.
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[little charlie]

It was while I was doing my lifesaver that I crashed in to a police car. (Thank you mr nice policeman for not proscuting me)

[mchaggis]

I've lost count of the number of times I've been wanting to change lane, only to discover something in my blind spot via a lifesaver. A few of the shoulder checks on DAS seem a little pointless though (before indicating so that you don't panic a driver who is next to you? ).

A lifesaver before turning or before moving position in your lane is sensible, but the chances of someone moving into your blind spot in almost all situations (eg when the road splits into filters for lights) aren't very great.

I've occasionally found the lack of mirrors while walking very annoying. I had to turn around to see who was behind me.
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