Near Misses Volume 2 (So close you can feel it)

magicbastarder

Had a close pass from a guy in a red Jeep near oldtown earlier, overtook around a blind bend and there was an oncoming car. The chap in the car behind pulled alongside after and shouted out the window 'Christ, they're all out tonight, aren't they?'

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119542938#Comment_119542938

I was once talking to a chap, who on the same road I mentioned in the post above, came within a few feet of colliding with a red kite. It burst out of the ditch as he approached and it scared the daylights out of him. They're big beasts.

DaveyDave

Hopefully it's a good thing. A friend of mine said they were conscious of passing cyclists when driving to work because of all the issues I had on the bike, used to have GoPro footage of my commutes which really showed him how sketchy things can be from my point of view.

Unfortunately most people don't know or don't care. I always glance at the rear view when I pass a cyclist to see how others pass, they rarely get more than an inch over the line when moving over.

Kaisr Sose

I had a very close call today which was both a near miss and a fall. I was left hooked from behind while doing about 30kmph. I had to go with the vehicle to avoid crashing into it. Falling was unavoidable.

I landed on my shoulder and elbow mainly and slid on rough road. No fractures but lots of road rash on forearm and calf plus bruises and a sore neck. I am sore but better off than an impact. I was checked over by ambulance service. I may need to get a scan on my neck. Shorts. Jersey torn.

Though I fell, I guess it's a near miss through my own quick reactions., I avoided the impact collission. Not that this makes it in anyway a good outcome, just better than it may otherwise have been. Fate is dictated by split seconds

Weepsie

Some cretin squeezed past me in drumcondra just before fagans. Then pointed to the cycle lane without a hint of irony given he'd been on my arse in the bus lane

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560747#Comment_119560747

Thanks. I think it's all grazes, bumps etc. Lucky. I will be stiff and sore but hopefully that's it. I have driver details. They were deeply apologetic and said they would pay my bills and repairs. They accept was a massive error of judgement/poor driving. I think it is taken as very good lesson in what not to do. If this saves a more serious incident, what more can you dom. 5 seconds to wait is ultimately better a serious impact with a cyclist.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119544283#Comment_119544283

Heading up Ballinascorney hill a couple of years ago a deer leapt off the bank high above me on the left and ran across the road literally five feet in front of me, got such a fright i stopped, which was just as well as it was quickly followed by two more.

magicbastarder

i had a vaguely similar situation myself with a deer on the khyber road in the phoenix park, in the dark, over 20 years ago. my memory of it is not much more than a vague shadow (probably of antlers) and skittering noise of hooves on tarmac a couple of metres in front of me.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119561011#Comment_119561011

Did TW have any particular reason for telling you to ring the station also?

f1000

Got absolutely clattered today!

Heading down the canal path to the Leeson St bridge. Nearly slowed to a stop and was moving in towards the wall there to allow all sorts of traffic coming onto the path from the bridge crossing to die down before I could move out to the ped crossing.

First off - a scooter just missed me - then was face-to-face a cyclist doing some rapid speed and went head-first into me. 2 of us ended up in a hape on the ground.

He said he had lost his brakes or had missed the lever, but I was more surprised about how much speed he was able to carry into that bottleneck turn. Was stunned for a few secs and was more concerned for both our welfares before picking ourselves up. After stalling to gather myself, he was gone before I realised that he had done a job on my front wheel (bit wonky now) and left me with a souvenir impression of his chainring on my wrist 😤

https://twitter.com/SBInaShui/status/1568145033060130817?s=20&t=NkwzaBts_Lxen5VhH-zl-Q

...

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119592092#Comment_119592092

That's possibly the most dangerous pinch point on the busiest cycle lane in the city, with the lock gate squeezing traffic basically into single file.

Which raises the question of why DCC gave planning permission for the dentists to open a new pedestrian exit right onto the pinch point a few years back.

Squidgy Black

Got punish passed by a taxi driver on the malahide road on my way out for a spin, was within cm of clipping my bars.

He got about 100m up the road before he was stuck in traffic, so I rolled up to the window and just calmly said there was absolutely no need for it, to which I got a response of “there was a car beside me what dya expect me to do”.

Said all he had to do was hang back for a couple seconds and not squeeze me, which seemed to bewilder him, and he just kept repeating “I was just driving down the road” over and over again as he pulled off.

It’s almost not worth the hassle engaging but the shock on their faces every time that you have the gall to pull them up on it is always worth it

Luxman

Heading into Finglas village a guy skimmed, he didn't see me for sure. When I knocked on his car as he passed he accelerated and pulled in to stop me, I explained he was too close to pass me and he said I should have indicated as I passed a parked car, there wasn't a parked car. he then said I should have some f******g respect and not to touch his (141) car...Ruined the spin for me. W****r

De Bhál

Not a close pass but heading up man-o-war hill today out near lusk. Quite a few times I'm on that hill I get passed by a lad in a VW Golf absolutely belting it up or down the hill. I expect to see him in a ditch up there some day.

Never had an issue with him bar the insane speed, which is worrying enough to witness.

TheHouseIRL

Nah, that one's on you. Totally avoidable, you were still behind them when they started to indicate (about 100ft from the junction) and you still chose to overtake on the inside as they slowed to make the turn. Poor awareness on your part.

Hurrache

I'd have hung back too, at least it puts you in control.

TheHouseIRL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119611636#Comment_119611636

I'd agree with you if they had overtaken you in an attempt to make the turn, but they didn't as far as the video shows.

Road Traffic Act states that you shall not overtake if to do so would endanger or cause inconvenience to any other person, which it could be argued you did.

callaway92

I'd be hanging back there too - In fairness to the Driver, the indicator was on nice and early (obviously they still should've made sure there was no cyclist mind you)

If anything, I'd be asking the council to put a yield line there for Cyclists tbh to allow for cars turning

Can definitely see accidents happening there and it being messy in regard to liability etc.

BoardsMember

I'd have slowed too given I was always behind. Presumably u knew what was happening and likely to happen and still let a roar like it was actually a near hit. Its all very well being in the right (possibly) but why not just be safe and decent? There are sh1t cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers everywhere, I don't see the point taking things to this point when easily avoided, unless looking for good clips to share maybe?

It's been said many a time here, no point in being right and dead.

km991148

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119611506#Comment_119611506

I'd also considering adjusting your position in general. Hard to tell for sure* but you seemed to be sitting right in their blind spot. Doesn't excuse someone not checking their blind spot of course, but it does increase your chances of impact. Especially when (based on that clip) there were clues to at least a novice or incompetent driver (L plates- either a learner or someone who is incompetent or lazy to remove them).

These clues and techniques are what will keep you alive, not being technically "correct".

*On second viewing, using the distance between the bollards as a guide, I'd say you were too close/in the blind spot for sure.

If you were in the same lane you'd be tailgating.

km991148

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119612484#Comment_119612484

I didn't say you were tailgating 🤷🏻‍♀️I used it as an example to point out how close you were to the vehicle. I'm not excusing the vehicle driver for not looking but we can't have a word with the driver, only point out what you could have done better to avoid the situation (assuming you wanted to). To me that would be to take up a better position that was not potentially in a blind spot (as well as don't assume that they know you are there because they passed you earlier..).

If you aren't interested in such opinion then fair enough it's your funeral (hopefully figuratively of course).

Really as far as I'm concerned there was no need for any interaction with the driver at all. Hang back when you see someone indicate and don't assume they know you are there. Anything else is just asking for trouble.

km991148

Yeah and tbh, those last two paragraphs are why I don't really like these segregated cycle lanes. I tend not to use them if I can avoid them and keep up with the other traffic.

bazermc

Defo would have hung back once I saw indicator flashing. Not worth the hassle.

Mimon

As a motorist find it hard to understand this phenomenon of motorists who think it is OK to cross the centre line into oncoming traffic.

Regularly meet cars heading for me whether they are passing cyclists, parked cars, trucks parked to deliver. Holy ****, just wait until it is clear not expect the oncoming traffic to move to avoid a crash. Definitely has got worse in the last few years.

Don't cycle very often but don't know how anyone does regularly with the amount of numpties behind the wheel these days

Allinall

Any cyclist that keeps going when they can see a car indicating to turn left is an idiot.

Some people just look for trouble and an argument.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119614729#Comment_119614729

So they should just come to a halt every time they see one?

magicbastarder

the indicator is on for 7 seconds before the car makes the turn. both the motorist and cyclist should have shown more caution.

km991148

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119614846#Comment_119614846

Just ease off for like 3 seconds. People make road use needlessly complicated.

It's not an entitlement race.

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119614846#Comment_119614846

Who said anything about coming to a halt, except you?

Slow down a little, let the car make it’s turn, and carry on.

No shouting necessary, and no danger to anyone..

Kaisr Sose

An indicator does not give an automatic right to manoeuvre. Cyclist had time to hang back and should have. At the same time, the driver could have given the cyclist priority and let them pass.

In my view a lack of respect is shown to the cyclist, who has an established position on the road.

7 seconds is not a lot of notice. A cyclist could be distracted or just not notice indication for say 3 seconds or more. Does driver still plough on even if they don't observe cyclist slowing? Or wait for cyclist to pass junction which is not unreasonable. What is 3 seconds with a vulnerable road user approaching...

Wildly Boaring

L plate.

Give them space and time.

Weepsie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119615211#Comment_119615211

While I'd agree with your first point, if we said the distracted and not noticing thing in the case of a driver as an excuse then we'd be rightly up in arms

AndrewJRenko

Not a huge surprise that Gardai won’t act on a punishment pass

https://twitter.com/ukwrightphil/status/1569803083403739136?s=46&t=fC5-LuL3fhR00GiFbi4VGw

km991148

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119615576#Comment_119615576

Wtf there are multiple offences in that one clip..

Shotser

This morning coming back from dropping the kids to school I am sitting at the lights in front of an Audi Q7. It is a cross roads and I am turning right. In fairness I was listening to two pedestrians having an interesting conversation and wasn't paying particular attention to the lights. The car opposite me was turning left so I would have had to wait for them anyway. Next thing I know the Audi blares the horn as the lights have turned green. The car opposite has yet to move. I turn around to look at the driver as I can't really go anyway and she pulls around me and almost crashes into the car opposite, who has to slam the breaks to let her squeeze past. She then speeds up the road, pulling around a delivery van blocking her side of the road almost crashing head on into the oncoming car. About 500mtrs after this she does a u-turn and heads back to the scene of the crime! I don't have a camera and if I did I'm not sure I even have it on escorting the kids to school, but maybe I should.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119614937#Comment_119614937

It was absolutely necessary to alert the driver to a situation they were oblivious to, and also in the hope that they would be more aware in the future.

So what you're effectively saying is that cyclists should cede their right of way when travelling straight on to every car turning left? What if they eased off and the following car was also turning left? Should they let that one turn too?

As someone said above turning left is no different to turning right, you check that your way is clear. That driver would have failed their driving test for that, it's a basic part of the rules of the road.

What makes that incident worse for me is the fact there is a segregated cycle lane, which should make the driver even more conscious of checking for a cyclist. It's just completely blinkered driving, not a clue of what's happening around them, that's the issue here, nothing to do with the cyclist.

DaveyDave

Regardless of who's right or wrong it's it's a good example of why it's important for motorists to be especially vigilant when making a left turn across a bike lane.

BoardsMember

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618185#Comment_119618185

And why cyclists that are behind a car that is turning left should slow and not overtake on the left in case car hasn't seen them!

DaveyDave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618359#Comment_119618359

Of course. Not blaming anyone here, personally if I see an indicator I hang back. Just an example of why motorists should pay attention, if the motorist has right of way and even indicates well in advance sooner or later you'll come across cyclists who just carry on, like all those Deliveroo lads.

From the bike point of view cars have to cross the bike lane to make a left turn so you have a known risk there and since everyone's back on the roads after Covid now I notice indicators are a distant memory so you never know who's doing what anymore. If I was approaching a junction like that I'd ease off.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618359#Comment_119618359

You still seem intent on sharing the blame here

Taking care with cyclists If you are at a junction where there is an advanced stop line for cyclists, you should allow cyclists to move off ahead of you. When turning left, all drivers, especially drivers of heavy goods vehicles, must watch out for cyclists and motorcyclists going ahead or turning. 53 Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre Road Safety Authority 54 Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre Road Safety Authority On left turns, watch out for cyclists and mopeds close to the kerb in front of you or coming up on your left. Do not overtake a cyclist as you approach a junction if you are turning left, as the cyclist might be continuing straight ahead.

Note the use of the word 'must', not 'reasonable expectation' nonsense.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618575#Comment_119618575

All well and good from a self preservation point of view, but if we all did that as cyclists that driver and others like them would carry on doing the same thing until they kill someone some day. We have a right to be where we are on the road, and should collectively assert that right.

km991148

...

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618693#Comment_119618693

you don't collectively assert your right by going up the inside of a car you know is turning left.

your first duty as a road user is to avoid colliding with other road users; it doesn't matter if they're initially in the wrong. for example, if in a car on the motorway, you see someone swinging into your lane without giving way, you brake. you don't get to drive into them and claim it was their fault if it was easy for you to avoid the collision.

Squidgy Black

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618693#Comment_119618693

I’m all for making sure we have the right protections on the road and that drivers are made aware of the rules of the road, but eh, I’ll pass on being run over or colliding into the side of a car because I wanted to assert my right.

Weepsie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618599#Comment_119618599

The rules of the road are not statute and have little if any actual legal standing behind being guidelines, a bit of common sense and mostly good advice.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618994#Comment_119618994

The cyclist didn't ride into the car. The cyclist stopped to avoid a collision.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119618994#Comment_119618994

You know, that was the exact analogy I was thinking of. It would be silly to drive into them just to prove your point, but at the same time you wouldn't be long letting them know that they're being an idiot.

km991148

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119619309#Comment_119619309

But honestly this should be a complete non incident. With the nature of the ebb and flow of traffic it just seems so much simpler to ease back a touch if someone signals (in this case) or in other cases just speed up slightly (if the car was at 4 o'clock for example). People just love adding stress to their journey's.

I find this example particularly troublesome as it really does look like you spend a bit of time at least hanging in the blind spot. Something that makes me really nervous.