Sunny weather = poor driving

will3
will3 Posts: 2,173
edited July 2008 in Commuting chat
Don't like whinging but last night's commute brought about 4 people doing crazy risky overtaking/undertaking manouvres to gain litterally seconds or less:

Is this due to the warm weather? It does seem to bring out the imatience in people
«1

Comments

  • ChrisLS
    ChrisLS Posts: 2,749
    ...yeah, I agree. I think people go a little crazy in warm weather...
    ...all the way...'til the wheels fall off and burn...
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Nearly all riots happen in hot weather...
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    I beleive there have been a few studies on this (try searching on the New Scientist website, iirc they ran an article about 10 years back - shows how often I buy the mag that I remember something from it :lol: ).

    From personal experence I would say its the rain that brings the odd behavior, especially rain in the summertime.
  • dondare
    dondare Posts: 2,113
    Sunshine brings out the worst drivers, but rain brings out the worst in drivers.
    This post contains traces of nuts.
  • victor ludorum
    victor ludorum Posts: 310
    dondare wrote:
    Sunshine brings out the worst drivers, but rain brings out the worst in drivers.

    Don't forget dry but overcast, that brings out the worst in drivers too. As does clear but chilly... and mist.

    Seriously though, I reckon its rain that makes drivers worse. I've wondered if it isn't just my perception altering (must stop cycling on mescaline) but I'm convinced that drivers go faster and pass closer in rain than in sunshine.
    Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
    (John F Kennedy)

    Hairy Roadie (new scoring) FCN 1/2
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    victor ludorum wrote:
    dondare wrote:
    Sunshine brings out the worst drivers, but rain brings out the worst in drivers.

    Don't forget dry but overcast, that brings out the worst in drivers too. As does clear but chilly... and mist.

    Seriously though, I reckon its rain that makes drivers worse. I've wondered if it isn't just my perception altering (must stop cycling on mescaline) but I'm convinced that drivers go faster and pass closer in rain than in sunshine.

    Yep same here tbh. Doesnt mean its the national picture obviously but it has made me think VERY odd things about people. In May I was coming down the end of my road and right at the last second a woman pulled out on me, the only warning I got was that she couldnt get purchase on her tyres and they skidded for a millisecond. She litterally flew across my front wheel with about 2 inches to spare.

    I think I shouted "Whats the rush - theres no one behind me!?"

    And if its raining and you see someone approaching a zebra crossing watch how they simultaneously speed up and look in the opposite direction to ignore you. :lol:
  • Kafka\'s Doll
    Kafka\'s Doll Posts: 208
    will3 wrote:
    Don't like whinging but last night's commute brought about 4 people doing crazy risky overtaking/undertaking manouvres to gain litterally seconds or less:

    Is this due to the warm weather? It does seem to bring out the imatience in people
    Definitely. Having commuted all through the winter, suddenly the driving standards have dropped. On the plus side, motorists have their windows open and can hear you shout.
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    Kafka\'s Doll wrote:
    will3 wrote:
    Don't like whinging but last night's commute brought about 4 people doing crazy risky overtaking/undertaking manouvres to gain litterally seconds or less:

    Is this due to the warm weather? It does seem to bring out the imatience in people
    Definitely. Having commuted all through the winter, suddenly the driving standards have dropped. On the plus side, motorists have their windows open and can hear you shout.

    Summer - all the women wear less clothes, perhaps this has something to do ith the concentration levels, haha!!!
  • victor ludorum
    victor ludorum Posts: 310
    downfader wrote:
    Kafka\'s Doll wrote:
    will3 wrote:
    Don't like whinging but last night's commute brought about 4 people doing crazy risky overtaking/undertaking manouvres to gain litterally seconds or less:

    Is this due to the warm weather? It does seem to bring out the imatience in people
    Definitely. Having commuted all through the winter, suddenly the driving standards have dropped. On the plus side, motorists have their windows open and can hear you shout.

    Summer - all the women wear less clothes, perhaps this has something to do ith the concentration levels, haha!!!

    Fair play, it affects mine... :oops:
    Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
    (John F Kennedy)

    Hairy Roadie (new scoring) FCN 1/2
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    I had some tw4t do a rather close pass yesterday evening, only to try and turn left and the roundabout 10 yards ahead! He didn't even speed round, instead choosing to slow and check he wasn't about to run me over so didn't save that much time!

    I waved him on once he spotted me and shouted "was it really worth it" as I rode past.

    Asides from that I also have to say I have been "distracted" a few to many times, saw a lovely lycra clad MTB rider this morning, but alas she was heading the wrong way :-(

    On a sidenote I did have to use the car last night and have to admit to having the windows rolled down, music blaring and driving a bit fast! Having said that I rarely use the car in such weather and tend to let myself go a bit when I do :-)
    Who's the daddy?
    Twitter, Videos & Blog
    Player of THE GAME
    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • Peasoup
    Peasoup Posts: 63
    don't forget it's sunshine coupled with a demob happy mentality as (in particular) MPs and teachers etc. prepare for long summer break.

    >> worm firmly attached to hook, waiting for first nibble... :twisted:
  • cntl
    cntl Posts: 290
    Whatever the weather then, we are all "screwed" :wink:
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Had to stop and "educate" an overweight, middle aged bitter pedestrian today.

    I love it when, faced with polite but firm reasoning, people back down into mumbling little children... :lol::lol::lol:
  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    On my ride yesterday was hooted at 3 times and too many close passes to mention. Stopped to remonstrate with one gentleman but decided it would be better for my blood pressure to ignore it. Special mention to the woman with the kids in the back of the car shouting obscenities at me for riding in a straight line on the wide & empty A30, couldn't work that one out at all.
    <a>road</a>
  • claash
    claash Posts: 145
    I reckon most of it is due to dehydration. Anyone who does any sort of sport/activity during the summer knows you have to drink loads more. 8) Unfortunately the drivers haven't worked out that 1.5 litres isn't enough once the temperature rises above 15 degrees........ No wonder they can't concentrate!! :shock: :shock:
    Special mention to the woman with the kids in the back of the car shouting obscenities at me for riding in a straight line on the wide & empty A30, couldn't work that one out at all.
    Are you sure it was you?? And not the kids?? :wink:
  • whome
    whome Posts: 167
    Had to stop and "educate" an overweight, middle aged bitter pedestrian today.

    Statements like that worry me. Remember pedestrians have every right to use the road. You have an obligation to avoid hitting any pedestrian.
    Training, highway design and increasing cycle numbers are important to safety. Helmets are just a red herring.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Assumption assumption assumption.

    Where I live, several marked cycle paths cross and in fact run along footpaths.

    So I was riding ON one of these, approached very carefully as always (I go out of my way to be polite) and rang my bell several times - he refused to move so I rang it again. He finally moved out of the way but had a good old grumble about me not being allowed in the path - I am, the road option is near lethal and I was doing nothing wrong.

    I was at no stage in any danger of hitting the overweight exercise dodging angry man trying to impress his equally out of shape make up caked wife.
  • whome
    whome Posts: 167
    So he was wrong to think (and state) that you weren't allowed there, but you don't have any right to expect him to get out of your way.
    Training, highway design and increasing cycle numbers are important to safety. Helmets are just a red herring.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    He was wrong to have a go at me - that's what annoyed me. But he chose to get out of the way in the end. I didn't force him.

    Sometimes people won't move out of the way at all - I just resign myself to their stubborness and hang behind them until i can safely get past.

    Luckily 99% of pedestrians happily move when I sound my bell to warn of my approach.

    Any more digs?
  • whome
    whome Posts: 167
    rang my bell several times - he refused to move so I rang it again. He finally moved out of the way

    That was all before he had grumbled at you (as you describe it) - and sounds to me like you did think he should be getting out of your way.
    Training, highway design and increasing cycle numbers are important to safety. Helmets are just a red herring.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Yes I did - I was travelling quicker than him. Just like pedestrians overtake other pedestrians. Just like pedestrians overtake those pushing buggies.

    Are you now trying to say that people aren't allowed to pass others on a footpath?

    Am I about to be subjected to yet another "Commuting" section "lesson" in extreme pedantry and self righteousness?

    Well sorry but me letting someone know I am approaching, then them grumbling at me is rather irritating especially when they are wrong.
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    whome wrote:
    rang my bell several times - he refused to move so I rang it again. He finally moved out of the way

    That was all before he had grumbled at you (as you describe it) - and sounds to me like you did think he should be getting out of your way.

    What the hell is your problem? It is standard practice on bike paths to ring a bell if approaching from behind. As you keep telling us, pedestrians are allowed to use the path, but most do not intenionally obstruct it. Therefore ringing a bell is pretty effective at alerting them to your prescence.
    It is also not uncommon to have to ring a couple of times as many people are daydreaming/ chattting /listenting to music etc. Nowt wrong with that.
    Occastionally you come accross a pedestrian who doesn't move. Most reasonable cyclists like surf-matt will wait. Afterall the pedestrian may actually be deaf.
  • whome
    whome Posts: 167
    When you are a pedestrian, you don't ring a bell or shout at other people to get them out of your way. As a cyclist you should not expect more favours, in fact you should see pedestrians as having more right than you in almost all situations.

    My point is that you should not expect him to get out of the way. If he wants to step aside, then that is his generosity.
    subjected to yet another ... "lesson"
    Not sure what the other one(s) were, is there a pattern?
    Training, highway design and increasing cycle numbers are important to safety. Helmets are just a red herring.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    whome - what is it with you, Dondare, Spen666 and several others on here?

    Utterly pointless and often incorrect pedantry that drives the rest of the board completely nuts.

    It's odd that it only happens in this section - never in the MTB section. Is it that many cycle commuters are actually a bit of a pain in the backside, or do the droning pedants happen to gather on this website alone?

    It beggars belief.
  • whome
    whome Posts: 167
    will3 wrote:
    It is standard practice on bike paths to ring a bell if approaching from behind.

    It is, and just with cars horns they can be misconstrued.

    Phrase like "he refused to move" and "He finally moved out of the way" clearly show Matt expected him to move out of the way and indicate that there was a presumption that it is the cyclist right to expect that.

    I disagree that he has any right to expect that
    Training, highway design and increasing cycle numbers are important to safety. Helmets are just a red herring.
  • chriskempton
    chriskempton Posts: 1,245
    ...getting back to the OP, yes I think good weather brings out some strange behaviour. Nice 2 hour ride in the sun dappled Yorkshire Dales yesterday, until passing through a nice village, when a motorist came up very close behind me before a blind bend, then had to (gulp) wait a second before passing because of a car coming the other way. I looked at him as he came past and that was sufficient provocation for gaving me the finger and load of oscenities. This was a man in his sixties, seemingly decent, probably someone's lovable granddad, out on a sunday drive with his missus. :roll: Unfortunately, he declined an invitation to stop and discuss the incident.
  • whome
    whome Posts: 167
    Pedantry - how so?

    I'm just trying to stop us becoming what we hate in motorists - having a go at the less vulnerable road users and expecting right of way over them because of size/speed.

    We should respect pedestrians right of way, in the same way we expect other vehicles to respect ours.
    Training, highway design and increasing cycle numbers are important to safety. Helmets are just a red herring.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Yes I did expect him to move as 99% of others do when warned of my approach by a cycle bell on a CYCLE path - a sound that's unmistakeable.

    And having been an advanced IAM and Police trained driver for over ten years, I am well aware of "defensive" driving and cycling techniques.

    Of course you'll argue about driving until the cows come home and probably "advise" me on how to surf properly while you are at it - that would fit in nicely with the pedantic know-it-all "commuter" that your type seems to revel in.

    :roll: :roll:
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    whome wrote:
    will3 wrote:
    It is standard practice on bike paths to ring a bell if approaching from behind.

    It is, and just with cars horns they can be misconstrued.

    Unlikely. A bicycle bell is not used aggressively or as a rebuke. You would get laughed at. It is used as an unmistakable means of warning of the approach of an otherwise near-silent machine.

    whome wrote:
    Phrase like "he refused to move" and "He finally moved out of the way" clearly show Matt expected him to move out of the way and indicate that there was a presumption that it is the cyclist right to expect that.

    I disagree that he has any right to expect that

    Really? So you think it is reasonable for people to unneccesarily obstruct a carriageway? Most people clearly don't which is why most people 'get out of the way' and don't uneccessarily impede other's progress. OF course they can't do this unless they know you're there can they?

    Are you president of the pedestrian association or something? 50% of you posts seem to be pointing out that pedestrians have right of way everywhere.


    Sorry for the OT
  • whome
    whome Posts: 167
    Dear oh dear. Not sure what your problems is with discussion, but you don't seem to to be able to argue a point without ranting and raving or descending to personal insults.

    On a lighter note - Is this like speeding - anyone more worried about accuracy than me is a pedant and anyone less accurate is a sloppy ignoramus?
    Training, highway design and increasing cycle numbers are important to safety. Helmets are just a red herring.

Categories