C
Colin Blackburn
Guest
I was meant to be running last night but do to a power-cut at the university sports centre I ended
up cycling home instead. On my normal route home I cross the A167 at a point where it is a dual
carriageway. The lights are set such that the A167 gets to go, both ways, one of the crossing roads
gets to go, the A167 gets another go and finally the other crossing road gets to go. The phases for
the two crossing roads are relatively short.
Anyway, I pull up towards the lights with three cars sat there, see that the opposite road is on
its turn and so sidle up the inside to the stop line, there's plenty of space. Lights change,
the relatively quiet (at this time of night) 167 traffic crosses. I see the 167 lights go to red
and make sure I'm clipped in. Last car goes across in front of me on red (standard practice
here) and then my amber lights. I start to move but immediately here a siren. I edge forwards
and see an ambulance tearing up the empty 167 from my right. I put my foot back on the floor to
wait for it to pass.
The three drivers behind me decide they can't be arsed waiting and all three of them put their feet
down. I think, "they must have heard the siren, they must be able to see the lights," but no, all
three proceed across the ambulance slows and comes to a halt as it almost hits the third car. I
shrugged my shoulders at the paramedic looking in disbelief in the passenger seat of the ambulance.
I guess they must see it all the time though.
So, why do three drivers out of three decide it is better to risk an accident, a consequence of
which could have been that a person somewhere else entirely dies? Well, this phase on these lights
is short, then it's a couple of minutes to wait for a full cycle again and had any one of them
stopped they would have had to have waited a couple of minutes.
My conclusion. Urban car drivers are irresponsible, selfish bastards. Got that Michael. I would
hope that every one of them is ashamed of what they did, but you know what, I doubt they even
give a ****.
Colin
up cycling home instead. On my normal route home I cross the A167 at a point where it is a dual
carriageway. The lights are set such that the A167 gets to go, both ways, one of the crossing roads
gets to go, the A167 gets another go and finally the other crossing road gets to go. The phases for
the two crossing roads are relatively short.
Anyway, I pull up towards the lights with three cars sat there, see that the opposite road is on
its turn and so sidle up the inside to the stop line, there's plenty of space. Lights change,
the relatively quiet (at this time of night) 167 traffic crosses. I see the 167 lights go to red
and make sure I'm clipped in. Last car goes across in front of me on red (standard practice
here) and then my amber lights. I start to move but immediately here a siren. I edge forwards
and see an ambulance tearing up the empty 167 from my right. I put my foot back on the floor to
wait for it to pass.
The three drivers behind me decide they can't be arsed waiting and all three of them put their feet
down. I think, "they must have heard the siren, they must be able to see the lights," but no, all
three proceed across the ambulance slows and comes to a halt as it almost hits the third car. I
shrugged my shoulders at the paramedic looking in disbelief in the passenger seat of the ambulance.
I guess they must see it all the time though.
So, why do three drivers out of three decide it is better to risk an accident, a consequence of
which could have been that a person somewhere else entirely dies? Well, this phase on these lights
is short, then it's a couple of minutes to wait for a full cycle again and had any one of them
stopped they would have had to have waited a couple of minutes.
My conclusion. Urban car drivers are irresponsible, selfish bastards. Got that Michael. I would
hope that every one of them is ashamed of what they did, but you know what, I doubt they even
give a ****.
Colin