Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
> On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 13:20:02 +0100, Alistair J Murray
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I always take great care to avoid hitting stuff, car or no car.
>
> Jolly good. That's not the point. The point is, as drivers, we
> should be taking more care not to hit people than if we are doing
> something less dangerous.
I do have a 100% record of not hitting people with a motor vehicle which
slips a bit when self powered.
I suppose I am slightly sloppier as a ped.
>>> The major problem with considerations of road safety is that,
>>> while liability might split 50/50 in pedestrian v car collisions,
>>> injury is pretty much 100/0 in the driver's favour.
>
>> Which makes it even more amazing that so many pedestrians and
>> cyclists fail to make sure their way is clear.
>
> Oh yes, do let's blame the victims, so much more comfortable than
> challenging our own behaviour.
Riding bikes amongst cars is exactly as risky as driving cars amongst
bikes it just hurts more if it doesn't pan out
When I biked I always made sure I knew what was around me.
I drove pushbikes much the same as I drove 7.5t box vans - clearly
indicated intentions, firm assertion of priority and thorough
observation - same collision avoidance policy.
> By the way, you do know that one definition of a pedestrian is
> "someone who's found somewhere to park the car", don't you?
As a blue badge holder I might miss that joke.
>>> Some of us think that puts an additional obligation on the driver
>>> to take extra care.
>
>> Some of us think that one should take that much care all the
>> time...
>
> Some of us must have great difficulty getting out of bed in the
> morning, then, given the equal level of care we are supposed to apply
> to all activities regardless of potential danger ;-)
Get the coffee in quick - two cups minimum.
>> ...yet still occasionally play the drunken ped.
>
> And the rest of the time the ped is blameless. And most of the
> cyclists and motorcyclists are blameless too.
Yup, mostly...
> And still we try to turn it round to blame the victim, because that
> is *so* much more comfortable than challenging our own behaviour.
Today I caught up with several cyclists who were obviously going to have
to move right to pass a parked vehicle, I of course hung back until it
was clear pass them; of 5 or 6 occasions precisely *once* did the rider
look back before pulling out.
I don't crowd cyclists and even got a smile and a cheery nod from a
horse rider today, presumably because I slowed as soon as I saw him
approaching, yet I have contempt for arbitrary speed limits.
Many other drivers seem to pay attention solely to the number on the stick.
What sort do you prefer?
A
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