New Highway Code rules.

[colinm]

I'm a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, car driver, van driver, and (ex) road crane driver. In my view there are many car/van drivers who either haven't got a clue, or are just plain idiots when it comes to others on the road, that's not to excuse bike riders, but I've rarely had a problem with bike riders.

 

[2cv]

Another new rule means opening a car door with the hand furthest from it. Link

 

[barryd]

I think the bi

Weird innit that in Europe cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles mix vey readily, even in major cities, yet we in the UK seem always to be at war with each other?

Cheers

H

I concur. I think its a combination of too many vehicles, too much aggression and being in too much of a hurry. I ride a pushbike (mainly when away in the van) and also a scooter (Two scooters even) and its rare to go out on either in a busy holiday environment at least and not have at least one near death experience. Its pretty much only in the UK though this happens. Europe are generally more bike aware I think and apart from Germany in my experience generally seem less aggressive and in a hurry.

I do wish people would calm down a bit though whatever they are driving or riding. People make mistakes and do silly things but the rage and aggression when someone does just seems to make it worse. youtube is littered with thousands of examples of this. Just get a scooter. The highway code doesnt apply to scooters. Pavements, cycle paths, cutting to the front of the queue at traffic lights are all fair game.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

A B-road walks into a Bar, he orders a pint, sits down, and starts reading the newspaper.​

5 minutes later an A road walks into a bar, he orders a pint, sits down, and starts reading the newspaper.

The B-road moves to the opposite side of the bar, peeking frightfully over the top of his newspaper at the larger, higher maintenance A-road.

Later, a motorway walks into a bar, he orders two pints, sits down, and starts to read the newspaper.

The B-road and the A-road both cower in the corner of the bar, scared of the motorway, much larger than themselves and of much higher importance.

Then, a piece of red tarmac walks into the bar.

Everyone instantly goes up to the barman, attempting to pay their tab, looking immensely worried.
The barman turns to them and says:
"Why are you so scared of him, he's much smaller than you"
The Motorway stuttered and glanced over his shoulder:
"You don't want to get on the wrong side of him, he's....a c-c-c-cyclepath"

 

[jacquigem]

I think these new rules are the current position in Spain. Have to say as a non lycra clad fool (although still a cyclist) I feel much safer cycling over here.

 

[Robmac]

Another new rule means opening a car door with the hand furthest from it. Link

Trouble is with that Bill, it won't cut down on such accidents in my opinion, although it will punish those responsible.

But I hardly think that the idiots who open the door without looking or thinking are going to even consider opening it with the other hand. They are usually just too preoccupied with their own little world.

 

[colinm]

The Netherlands has more people dying due to cycling accidents than the UK, not sure if this is due to numbers who cycle over there, or the way they think drivers will comply with cyclists right of way rules without a care in the world. When you're used to cycling in UK it makes you wince to see them ride out in front of cars with barely a glance, just assuming the car will obey the rules of the road, the funniest thing I saw was an old chap come out of a side turning without looking, straight in front of another cyclist, they ended up as a tangle of bikes and limbs, thankfully both where OK but there where a lot of words which I've never seen in a dutch/english dictionary.

 

[Tonybvi]

Another new rule means opening a car door with the hand furthest from it. Link

How will that work for my car then - I press a button on the touch screen to open any of the doors (once I have checked it is clear to do so)!!

 

[SquirrellCook]

How will that work for my car then - I press a button on the touch screen to open any of the doors (once I have checked it is clear to do so)!!

I think your too posh for this forum

 

[st3v3]

Pretty sure old highway code you were meant to give way to pedestrians when turning into a road ?

Only if they have started crossing.

I think the change on this is madness. You'll have main roads gridlocked because of a stream of people crossing a side road that someone is trying to turn into. And probably more rear end shunts.

But what do I know...

 

[barryd]

Only if they have started crossing.

I think the change on this is madness. You'll have main roads gridlocked because of a stream of people crossing a side road that someone is trying to turn into. And probably more rear end shunts.

But what do I know...

I agree and will continue to drive as I do now. Pedestrians and drivers just need to use common sense. You cant be stopping at every junction if a pedestrian is on his way to the edge of the pavement and just "might" be wanting to cross. If they are stepping off or already half way across fair enough.

They tried something similar in France a few years back. Nobody took any notice and just carried on as normal.

 

[jagmanx]

I guess we are all a bit Bored ?

 

[yorkslass]

I agree H. I'm actually quite a calm driver these days. I do worry about this 'automatically culpable' thing that is being hinted at though, surely every accident should be judged on evidence.

I have a dash cam, may buy one for the rear of the car now as well though.

I think we will need extra dashcams.....I can see it being the new cash for crash.....unless there are cameras everywhere,.

 

[Wully]

Had a bit of road rage wae an old punter yesterday he. Was gonna kick my head in. Came to a section of road that divides traffic and gives priority to oncoming traffic I was driving my truck there looked like plenty of room for me to get through but I'm sure the old bloke coming towards me in his Audi who had priority put the boot down anyway I slowed down we both had to stop windows went down and a few expletives were exchanged. He started shouting about his dash cam then his wife leaned over from the passenger side and was shouting about that’s right we’ve got a dash cam I replied to him see you’ve got a parrot as well. Well he went mental got oot the car and wanted to kill me I drove away laughing at him. Driving is a nightmare round here now.

 

[trevskoda]

I think the bi


I concur. I think its a combination of too many vehicles, too much aggression and being in too much of a hurry. I ride a pushbike (mainly when away in the van) and also a scooter (Two scooters even) and its rare to go out on either in a busy holiday environment at least and not have at least one near death experience. Its pretty much only in the UK though this happens. Europe are generally more bike aware I think and apart from Germany in my experience generally seem less aggressive and in a hurry.

I do wish people would calm down a bit though whatever they are driving or riding. People make mistakes and do silly things but the rage and aggression when someone does just seems to make it worse. youtube is littered with thousands of examples of this. Just get a scooter. The highway code doesnt apply to scooters. Pavements, cycle paths, cutting to the front of the queue at traffic lights are all fair game.

Boy you are good,two scooters at the same time, never even seen that in a circus.

 

[trevskoda]

Another new rule means opening a car door with the hand furthest from it. Link

Very common in Belfast with old dolls firing the back offside door open and leaping out, brother inlaw drives buses and tells me every day one comes over the radio that they have a car door stuck on the front of the bus with an arm hanging on it.

 

[trevskoda]

Trouble is with that Bill, it won't cut down on such accidents in my opinion, although it will punish those responsible.

But I hardly think that the idiots who open the door without looking or thinking are going to even consider opening it with the other hand. They are usually just too preoccupied with their own little world.

How on earth will plod prove that in a courtroom, just more bull id say from brain dead people.

 

[trevskoda]

How will that work for my car then - I press a button on the touch screen to open any of the doors (once I have checked it is clear to do so)!!

Must be some car, next you will have an ejection seat LOL.

 

[colinm]

How on earth will plod prove that in a courtroom, just more bull id say from brain dead people.

They don't have to, opening the door with the opposite hand is guidance, injuring someone by opening a door is what could get you a fine.

 

[trevskoda]

On the way home today passing banbrige a dick raced along the on slip to the duel carriageway, I was on the inside with a big truck beside me on the outer lane, blowing his horn and waving a fist because he almost side swiped me trying to get into my lane, simple fact is if you cannot join in safe you must give way at the dotted line, many drivers seem to knot understand this rule.