View Full Version : Straightliners, of the roundabout kind...
Random story of the day....
So the other week im heading to work I come off down a sliproad off a motorway, it’s a good 400-500m long (the motorway is going downhill, and the sliproad is even steaper hence the length). Anyway, im following a car down the sliproad, and come to the roundabout. We go round the roundabout to the right and the road splits into 2 lanes under the motorway where there’s another roundabout. The junction off the RA is another 2 lane road and there are no other junctions (bar the sliproad joining the RA from the other way, and the sliproad re-joining the motorway).
So I’m in the outside lane, women in Skoda on inside lane. I plan to follow my lane round, and re-join my lane the other side. Women in the Skoda though decides it’s a racetrack and straightlines the RA. Not only that, she didn’t even merge back to her left lane on the other side, she joined into my right lane. Not so bad, except I was already halfway past her coming up to the RA, meaning I had to REALLY stamp the anchors on to avoid having my front end wiped out as she decides to be completely ignorant to anything around her.
Needless to say, I shot up the inside, beeping and giving her the recognised “Tanker” sign…. Indicated and moved in front back into the lane I originally wanted. But the cheeky mare decides to flash, beep, and give me the bird back. Now sorry but im not having this. So calmly stopped my bike, got off, walked to car and proceeded to have a right go at her. She’d already locked her door and grabbed her phone in “I’ll call the police” type way..
“F**king go on then” I screamed, and gave a flat handed wack to the window. She continues on the phone. I take off my rucksack and get out my phone and take a picture of her car reg plate. Walk back over and shout at the window “maybe the police would like to hear about your driving and how you nearly knocked me off”… Course not, the window stays up and doors stay locked (I would have happily opened her door and walked off with her mobile and chatted to the police) I walk back to my bike, get on, calmly and slowly ride away.
Im furious, im livid, how dare she. Typical “manager” type women, im better than you, how dare you stuck up nose. I mean, the overweight ugly heffer was in a Skoda Estate…. PLEAAASSSEEEEE.
So I get to work. Shes been on the phone to old bill, so why shouldn’t I? So I ring the local police station to file a complaint. I let them know what happened, how she was driving WODCAA (Bear in mind my headlights are on, I’ve been following her for over ½ a mile, and round a RA, and I’ve not got my baffle in my exhaust atm!!!!), she didn’t see, hear me, drove straight across the lanes nearly wiping me out. The guy on the phone understood the score and my frustration. I informed him that no-one stopped to help this poor defenceless women so I couldn’t have been that aggressive. We joked, he gave me a ref number.
Sunday morning, 10am (cheeky mofos), the doorbell goes. Im asleep, by the time I get downstairs the persons gone. I get a call half hour later from my local PC Plod. Basically they came over to “have a talk” about the two complaints (Mine and hers). He’d reviewed the statements and had to talk to both parties. He basically said that I’d done exactly the right thing by also lodging a complaint. IF I hadn’t I could be “cautioned” about Public order act xxx but really it was my word against hers. Fair enough and I knew that was the only thing going to happen. He talked about me hitting the glass, but joked how I must have hit it so hard to not cause any damage (sarcasm), and also I was so crazy no-one stopped to help (or was it that there was nothing to stop for?). He knew “her type” and said whilst it was not the best that I stopped and got off (of which I agreed), he fully understood due to what had nearly happened. “What about her?”
“Don’t worry, we have already been to her house and spoken to her face to face about it and gave her a good telling off, consider this call, your telling off” But it wasn’t really, it was more like the local copper taking the micky out of her, but had to call me as part of protocol.
I knew nothing would happen, my word against hers. But, if I hadn’t have called them, I “could” have been done.
So if you ever decide to get off your bike to have firm words with someone (used to happen weekly on my old trip into the city, once this instance since), make sure you call your police station, if only to report the incident. It covers you ass, and can end up with the old bill actually on your side.
Im only glad I was asleep though, as the night before I’d left the house in a proper state and it really wouldn’t have been wise to invite him in without getting myself done over :lol:
Case is now closed.
Im keeping my eye out for her though, she may get the laughing face and international sign of the :toss: every time I see her now anyway :lol:
It was nice however to hear how quickly the police responded to it all. And the fact I had got a call is good. Almost given me a slight increase in faith in PC Plod.... Just a pinch though ;)
svdemon
31-03-09, 11:26 AM
Women shouldn't be allowed on the road!!!!
Well I think it was a massive over reaction on your part. Personally I would have expected her to short cut the roundabout (they almost always do). I would have then carried on my way thinking about other things. Flashing headlights in my mirrors would have not have bothered me at all. Because of your rush of blood do you really think it was worth all that extra bother? Not for me thanks. I have far more important things to worry about.
yorkie_chris
31-03-09, 11:46 AM
Worth it IMO, it will hopefully have given her a bit of a wake up call and knocked the slag down a peg or 2 without resorting to removing paint/mirrors/teeth and the associated inconvenience.
yorkie_chris
31-03-09, 11:48 AM
He's got a point, neither should car drivers, taxis, buses, taxis, HGVs, homosexuals, taxis, short people, old people, taxis.. and especially bikers, they're a right bunch of headbanging nutters...
Steven T
31-03-09, 12:01 PM
A few years back, an old couple (in their 70's at least) literally tried to run me off the road where two lanes merged into one. I was in the car with my year-old son andwas in the inside lane and the old git was in the outside and I had to take drastic evasive action as her just swung his car right intgo my path - and he gave me a dirty look as if I had done him wrong. I would normally have given him an earful then let him get as far away from me as possible, but the fact that he put my childs safety at risk I decided to take his reg plate and report him. The police "apparently" went to his home to discuss the matter - he of course denied it and nothing more could be done.
For years I've been going on about buying a mount for my video camera and just let the thing record on a daily basis in the hope that, if something similar happens, then at least I have it on film.....:mad:
should of mentioned her driving whilst on the phone :P
i had some one under take me then squeeze me to the side of the road in a merc the other day and i dont even think it was his looked like he was a mechanic on a test drive and he just looked at me like normal like id pulled up along side him at traffic lights, all car drivers that dont ride think they are better than bikers, just remember, wether you driving or riding, every ones out there to kill you
suzsv650
31-03-09, 01:15 PM
i hate it when they straightline a roundabout... usually done by some **** in a saxo :smt091:smt091:smt091:smt091:smt091
Well I think it was a massive over reaction on your part. Personally I would have expected her to short cut the roundabout (they almost always do). I would have then carried on my way thinking about other things. Flashing headlights in my mirrors would have not have bothered me at all. Because of your rush of blood do you really think it was worth all that extra bother? Not for me thanks. I have far more important things to worry about.
+1.
In the past, yes, I've stopped to have a chat etc, but these days, there's more important things in life.
svdemon
31-03-09, 02:07 PM
He's got a point, neither should car drivers, taxis, buses, taxis, HGVs, homosexuals, taxis, short people, old people, taxis.. and especially bikers, they're a right bunch of headbanging nutters...
Sarcasm...... its a beautiful thing
Dicky Ticker
31-03-09, 02:12 PM
Me---I never straighten out bends or rounabouts------------------MUCH
Well I think it was a massive over reaction on your part. Personally I would have expected her to short cut the roundabout (they almost always do). I would have then carried on my way thinking about other things. Flashing headlights in my mirrors would have not have bothered me at all. Because of your rush of blood do you really think it was worth all that extra bother? Not for me thanks. I have far more important things to worry about.
Who says I didn't......
If I didn't ride with the approach of every car straighlining, or not indicating, or not looking, then i'd have already been in the armco in the middle of the roundabout.
I rode with the fact that she might do it. But she went to go round her lane, then straightlined leaving me caught out as i was already next to her front door.
It was the fact i'd followed her, she completly ignored me, nearly took me out, then blamed me and gave me the verbal...
At least I was within my right to be cheesed off.
Do I think it was worth the bother? Well, a police visit to a bad drivers residence to inform her how she cut the roundabout and nearly made a motorcyclist crash his bike?????? Yes, i think its very much worth it and made me feel good and superiour.
That cover all that lot :p :king:
Me---I never straighten out bends or rounabouts------------------MUCH
Everyone does...
Difference is, are you aware of the traffic around you before you do it? Would you do it in your car if a motorcycle was in the lane next to you, riding legally, and do it so you cut up the biker???
The mear fact she wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention is the issue.
Driving without due care and attention.
See the difference is, if i was "on it" then no-one would be coming round the outside of me anyway :p :lol:
davepreston
31-03-09, 03:29 PM
A few years back, an old couple (in their 70's at least) literally tried to run me off the road where two lanes merged into one. I was in the car with my year-old son andwas in the inside lane and the old git was in the outside and I had to take drastic evasive action as her just swung his car right intgo my path - and he gave me a dirty look as if I had done him wrong. I would normally have given him an earful then let him get as far away from me as possible, but the fact that he put my childs safety at risk I decided to take his reg plate and report him. The police "apparently" went to his home to discuss the matter - he of course denied it and nothing more could be done.
For years I've been going on about buying a mount for my video camera and just let the thing record on a daily basis in the hope that, if something similar happens, then at least I have it on film.....:mad:
ask speedplay for a look at his from the peakdistrict rideout he got a good one ov some pr1ck in a focus acting like a muppet with me
good story and good work being proactive about phoning the old bill
PAPPACLART
31-03-09, 05:47 PM
Well I think it was a massive over reaction on your part. Personally I would have expected her to short cut the roundabout (they almost always do). I would have then carried on my way thinking about other things. Flashing headlights in my mirrors would have not have bothered me at all. Because of your rush of blood do you really think it was worth all that extra bother? Not for me thanks. I have far more important things to worry about.]
I don't think he overeacted. As far as I am concerned, if a person nearley takes my life because they can't be bothered to drive safely due to being too busy doing something else rather than concentrating whilst in control of 1500kg of metal, then they deserve what they get.
I have had situations similar where if it were not my my skill, I would have been killed or seriously injured due to drivers like Missy Middle Manager.
I do get so angry at the fact that I can potentially go to prison for 3 figure speed on a clear wide staight trafficless stretch of road, while even if Missy had Police who witnessed the Incident still in most cases she would have had a bollocking and at worst maybe 3 points on her licence yet actually could have caused an accident
In situations similar, no matter how serious an error by a driver, if they acknowledge the error and apologies with the Internationally recognised hand in the air sign, then I am satisfied and simply move on - as after all we all make mistakes. The worst thing to do after almost killing me is to flash your lights bib the horn and shout obcenities at me as it is bad enought having an attempt at my life, then to assume I am at fault and make a point of it. Doing this will only provoke an even more outraged response from me.
I can see why you would get angry with a careless driver like that, and I get similar situations every week on my jaunts down the Mile End Road :)
Trouble is if you let it wind you up like that it could cause your concentration to waver and involve you in a far worse situation than the one you've both got away from in one piece!
Good call on reporting it to the Police though, nice to see a pro-motorcycle response from them!
PAPPACLART
31-03-09, 06:04 PM
I can see why you would get angry with a careless driver like that, and I get similar situations every week on my jaunts down the Mile End Road :)
Trouble is if you let it wind you up like that it could cause your concentration to waver and involve you in a far worse situation than the one you've both got away from in one piece!
Good call on reporting it to the Police though, nice to see a pro-motorcycle response from them!
I personally don't get angry with every driver, it obviously depends how serious the incident etc.:cool:
Dicky Ticker
31-03-09, 06:16 PM
Accidently maybe but only if I didn't realise the person was there and I accept it would be my error and an apology in order-----but in life **** happens,not necessarily by me but to me and sometimes its easier just to let it go.
Getting wound up and hot under the collar is not a good thing
Do I think it was worth the bother? Well, a police visit to a bad drivers residence to inform her how she cut the roundabout and nearly made a motorcyclist crash his bike?????? Yes, i think its very much worth it and made me feel good and superiour.
I'm sorry, this could be the cynic in me, but you only have the officers word for the conversation that they had with the woman.
They could of sat down with the woman, eating choccy biccies & drinking tea, taking the mick out of the biker who didn't think about his positioning (not saying you didn't think, just that conversation could of gone that way) & nearly ended up under her wheels.
Maybe he "stretched the truth" about his conversation with her, maybe you misinterpreted what he said?
When that's taken into consideration, is it really still worth all the stress involved? (I bet your heart started racing - mostly in anger - when you knew the police wanted a chat with you!!)
daved407
31-03-09, 06:39 PM
I was thinking exactly the same. What if her bo11ocking was similer to yours! Then you are both expected to take heed of the warnings.
Got to agree with you though saying its worth calling the "old Bill" if nowt else its damage limitation. Had similar with business men and women in their oversized Mercs and Audis and when you hit the horn they dont even look over. Are they so stupid or just ignorant?
ThEGr33k
31-03-09, 09:21 PM
Id just like to say that bikers are no better :( You'd have thought they would be better, well this one wasnt.
I was following a couple of bikes down my local bypass which is a brilliant road because there are several roundabouts that are just streight on. Well anyway I was following these bikes in the inside lane (dual carriage way) lane going into a roundabout with some fella on the outside decided he wanted to use my lane, I noticed he looked like he had no clue so I made sure i was ready for him doing it... Low and behold he forces his way between me and the guy in front so I brake to give him space, on the other side of the RA he pulled back into the outside lane. WTF!?
I do sometimes streight line them but I make DAMN sure (and its easy to as its a nice straight road) that the inside lane is free of anything.
A few years back, an old couple (in their 70's at least) literally tried to run me off the road where two lanes merged into one. I was in the car with my year-old son andwas in the inside lane and the old git was in the outside and I had to take drastic evasive action as her just swung his car right intgo my path - and he gave me a dirty look as if I had done him wrong. I would normally have given him an earful then let him get as far away from me as possible, but the fact that he put my childs safety at risk I decided to take his reg plate and report him. The police "apparently" went to his home to discuss the matter - he of course denied it and nothing more could be done.
For years I've been going on about buying a mount for my video camera and just let the thing record on a daily basis in the hope that, if something similar happens, then at least I have it on film.....:mad:
I say a gadget on the gadget show that fitted in and constantly recorded. How it worked was that if there was a big accident (impact) it automatically recorded a min prior to the impact and a few seconds after. Now if in your situation you could press a button and the device would record a min before you pressed it and a min after. So you'd have all you needed to show what happened. Might be worth you looking into it if your serious :) But be careful as it could get you in trouble ;)
Me---I never straighten out bends or rounabouts------------------MUCH
Which is fine if you MAKE DAMN SURE its safe to do so. :cool:
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no matter how serious an error by a driver, if they acknowledge the error and apologies with the Internationally recognised hand in the air sign, then I am satisfied and simply move on
Spot on. If she'd have seen me or apologise, fair enough everyone makes a mistake, but to be so arrogent back was plain rude.
I used to ride into the city so on many occasions would end up with a row (sometimes for fun :lol: ) so well used to it. The plain ignorence though was crazy.
RE the Plod calling me, sure my local bobby could have expanded the truth, but the fact is they would have had to talk about my complaint, so im ok with the outcome. Expected nothing more tbh.
Muhaaahaha
I've had a similar thing happen to me on a few occasions D. The most recent being at the Mc'D RA at Stone near Bluewater(I'm sure you know the one).
I read an article written by Niall Mckenzie and in it he mentions a book he had read called something along the lines of "Dont sweat the little things", and that is what I am doing at the moment. Saves a lot of aggro in the long run!
Can we be clear please - not 'should of' and 'could of' - it's 'should have' and 'could have':D
I pretty well always straight line roundabouts and often overtake if there's room BUT I always check the inside.
Back to 'who's right' and 'who's left' I guess:)
Biker Biggles
31-03-09, 10:02 PM
I've had a similar thing happen to me on a few occasions D. The most recent being at the Mc'D RA at Stone near Bluewater(I'm sure you know the one).
I read an article written by Niall Mckenzie and in it he mentions a book he had read called something along the lines of "Dont sweat the little things", and that is what I am doing at the moment. Saves a lot of aggro in the long run!
Very good advice as always from Niall Mac.(What a star:salut:)
when you hit the horn they dont even look over. Are they so stupid or just ignorant?
I dunno, I generally have a good giggle when I need to hit the beeper.
Yet some people still ask why I have 4 horns on my bike... :confused: :lol:
Yeah I know that roundabout. Very common at that one Jdu.
Ironically i know i've seen the car before. The incident was over a week ago, and i've still not seen her again yet :lol:
Dave20046
01-04-09, 08:12 AM
Id just like to say that bikers are no better :( You'd have thought they would be better, well this one wasnt.
I was following a couple of bikes down my local bypass which is a brilliant road because there are several roundabouts that are just streight on. Well anyway I was following these bikes in the inside lane (dual carriage way) lane going into a roundabout with some fella on the outside decided he wanted to use my lane, I noticed he looked like he had no clue so I made sure i was ready for him doing it... Low and behold he forces his way between me and the guy in front so I brake to give him space, on the other side of the RA he pulled back into the outside lane. WTF!?
I do sometimes streight line them but I make DAMN sure (and its easy to as its a nice straight road) that the inside lane is free of anything.
If it's the one I'm thinking of just watch out for coppers sat hidden away off the roundabouts, always been there when I've been past.
Ceri JC
01-04-09, 12:12 PM
PAPPACLART[/B];1846322]
Originally Posted by PAPPACLART http://forums.sv650.org/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=1845890#post1845890)
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no matter how serious an error by a driver, if they acknowledge the error and apologies with the Internationally recognised hand in the air sign, then I am satisfied and simply move on
Muhaaahaha
+1. Doing this is far and away the safest thing for all concerned. You're not going to throttle them, they're not going to be distracted by paranoidly looking for you about to kick their wing mirror off, etc. I find my rage dissipates instantly and I have always returned the wave/given a nod and carried on. The way some people interpret the road rage avoiding advice, "don't make eye contact" to mean, "stare dead ahead and carry on as if nothing happened" only serves to exacerbate the situation.
MattCollins
02-04-09, 05:00 AM
I say a gadget on the gadget show that fitted in and constantly recorded. How it worked was that if there was a big accident (impact) it automatically recorded a min prior to the impact and a few seconds after. Now if in your situation you could press a button and the device would record a min before you pressed it and a min after. So you'd have all you needed to show what happened. Might be worth you looking into it if your serious :) But be careful as it could get you in trouble
Doesn't need to be complicated. One forward and one rearward camera in a continuous loop. Even without the loop any all in one camera with say 3 or 4 hours of storage (and a couple of spare cards - swap them out if something happens) would do the job.
My setup is two wide-ish angle (required) USB web cams built into aluminium tubing for waterproofing (waiting on bullet cams after seeing a thread here) and a GPS hooked up to what amounts to a car computer (ancient mini ITX).
Currently, I am looking to update the unit and the desktop version of the Asus Eee is looking attractive as a donor for the electronics.
It was originally built for other uses (mapping/navigation), but it has come in handy for evidentiary purposes.
One of the things about riding is that it is a solo activity, so it is often going to be your word against one or more others and bikers, by nature of their "irresponsible" activity often get the short end of it, unless you ride in company or there is a sympathetic witness. It is very hard to refute clear video evidence... So, dont get angry, get even!
Oh yeah, a couple of Stebl's are handy for waking up those dozey pr**** that think that they own the entire road. If they want to react badly to fair use of horns, it just make it more likely that the DPP will follow it through. If people are nice about it, then just move on and forget about it.
Cheers
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