Is it me......?

headlamp · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Karma :

This week has been one of the worst for me for near misses, bolshy drivers, deliberate cuttings up and general bad driving on the roads here in London. My commute along the North Circular Road in London is challenging at the best of times, but the 'issues' I have had in the past four days have made me question whether it is me, or whether everyone else experiences bad driving almost on a mile by mile basis.
Last night on the way home I decided to ride almost car like and still had cars and vans switching lanes, a car turn right in front of me causing me to do an emergency stop and another car veer across the road causing me to dive up onto the pavement (fortunately there was a driveway and no pedestrians!). I wear a high vis jacket, use dipped headlights, ride defensively and don't go fast!

Am I over sensitive, or paranoic or does everyone else have something happen to them at least once on their ride?
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Using a mobile phone while driving a car should be made a capital offence!

askew · Scooby Slapper Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Karma :

Trust me, you're definatly not parnoid! Coming home at that time of day in that area, that's not paranoia, that's just defence riding.

Although I'm lucky enough not to have to commute along the North Circular, I always notice the crap, can't-really-be-arsed-to-concentrate and drive properly drivers on the way home from work (about 5pm), and never so much in the morning. It must be something to do with fatigue from a hard days work, but more likely their "bad driving" to you might just be out of pure frustration.

Especially in the area that you ride along, I should imagine the tailbacks can be insane. When this happens - particularly on faster roads like duel carridgeways, where drivers are expecting to be zooming along people just start taking risks.

To be honest, I do the same myself, but when you make stupid moves, it doesn't seem like "bad driving". Infact, to the person cutting you up, it'll seem like "good driving" as they're shimying that little bit nearer to home.

I think all commuters - especially competative balding business men in their over-sized novelty Audis should just chill out and take note of that Honda advert on TV with the tractor and such - "Aren't we all just trying to get somewhere?" Smile

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What's ya name? What av' ya taken? Chase the lasers, safe as f*ck!

madbikerbabe · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Karma :

yep !!!...a common occurrence...you just get to expect it after a while Brick Wall

...but hey !!!...keeps you on your toes..eh !! Wink

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"yep !!!..there is a party going on in my head...invitations only"

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

I usually get the above when i'm following you home... never get it otherwise, so clearly its you Wink

Ninja · Caption Abuser Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Karma :

Not sure what its like in a VERy busy place but I find the more 'actively positively' you ride the less chancers you get.

Too much fannying about and gentleness means you blend away into perception nothingness despite the Hiviz, lights, blue strobes....
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James
4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

mattsmith95 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Can't really comment on the past week, haven't had much work
so I haven't clocked up many miles.

OH yeah, had some woman pull out on me this morning, she
didn't inditcate but the sixth sense was working which is why
I didn't get wiped out.

The only thing I've noticed is the pedestrians are worse than
ever, well it's winterfest shopping innit?