Never sit at the back of a queue!

I've been reading the thread on filtering recently and wondering if it might be safer to wait in line.

I had this question answered tonight when a young lady chose to write my car off from behind whilst I was waiting at some road works. I'd always thought in this situation that I'd manage to get the car out the way. Even though I'd seen the car approach there was no way I had time once I'd realised it wasn't slowing. I did try but I was still in second.

I hate to think what would've happened had I been on my bike. As my car hit the car in front I'd certainly have ended up crushed between the two. The acceleration was enough to fold my seat back. As it happens everything crumpled as it should and everyone involved was fine.

AFAIK filtering is illegal in certain places in the world especially between two lines of traffic, I think this probably trades a highish number of minor accidents for a handful of fatal ones. I'm just speculating though. Anyone know any figures?

Unlucky about the car, sorry to hear that, but good news everyone was OK (ish).

Similar has almost happened to me on the M60 years ago. In my case it was a truck driver that hadn't seen stationary traffic & was coming up behind me fast! When he did realise, he locked the wheels braking so hard, and that's when I first noticed what was going on. Needless to say, very brown seat! Very fortunately, nothing happened, although I don't know how.

Hopefully you, nor anyone in any of the cars came away with any injuries.

[timwilky]

Slightly different. I was stopped for a red light the guy behind me never saw. I remember stopping thinking it was not a good idea to have tried to run it as their was a police car at the front of the adjacent lane and suddenly I wake up thinking what did I do with some guy running across the road say I am so sorry.

Being taken out from behind on a bike is no fun. I remember nothing of it but carry a daily reminder. So don't be the first in the queue either.

I was in Nissan Micra and got run into by a 4x4 at a set of lights. He slammed into the nearside corner and pushed the back end of the car into the passenger seat. I dunno why but I took my foot of the brake and pushed the clutch in as it hit me. I also wrapped both arms around my head and might have uttered "oh ****!" Just before impact. From what they tell me the micra got spun into the intersection and hit the traffic light on the other side. I woke up next day in hospital all befuddled.

wow sounds like you had a lucky escape from injury there. hope you get the insurance, etc sorted ok.

tbh there isn't much you can do in a situation like that when you're in a car, on a bike you might stand a better chance of getting out of the way, but as you say the consequences are much worse if you don't...

[embee]

I think this is a very useful thread, the more folks think about the "what if" the better, and plan ahead.

A mate of mine escaped exactly what some of you have described, queue on a motorway coming to a stop, he was on a bike (wife was pillion), slowing behind the stationary cars ahead he spotted in his mirrors a car approaching rapidly behind so he pulled ahead between the lines and the car smashed into the back of the queue. Very possibly would have been 2 dead if he hadn't "escaped".

In a car I always try to slow gradually to keep as much distance between me and the car ahead as I can, flash brake lights repeatedly (I'm sure it annoys some people), and try not to be the back of the queue if I can help it. If you have to come to a stop, leave plenty of space ahead so at least if you're rear-ended you don't end up crushed between vehicles. If there's no-one behind you then it's not causing any problems by slowing right down, if there is traffic behind you can build up your own buffer behind to protect you.

On a bike plan where you can escape to and leave space ahead to do it, and watch the mirrors. Back of the queue is a dangerous place to be.

Pete was it a Mini that you were driving? Just that i can see a classic in your pic

Glad to hear everyone is OK.

In my 20yrs of driving I have had this happen twice, the worst was in 1998 on Christmas Eve at red traffic lights, I was hit and shoved a couple of metres almost into the path of a lorry and then just as I opened the door to indicate where we should discuss the matter, he was hit by MPV and he hit me again with just as much force! I was off work for 3 weeks with neck and back pain followed by 6 weeks of physio.

Since then I now have become a more defensive or should that be offensive (no I dont swear more
) - Whenever I am coming to a queue of traffic I now leave at least 1 car length in front to avoid the 'what if' and it also serves as an escape gap should the car in front find themselves in difficulty...
...doesnt always work in your favour because the gap seem quite big and others think they can dart in and take the space...dorks!

I hope the insurance are efficient for you.

Be lucky
Phil

Almost happened to me less than half an hour ago. Coming home from work, the railway crossing was closed. I was on the top of a bridge on a bend and stuck behind a queue of traffic. I saw a group of kids in a corsa coming up very fast behind, so shot off down the inside of the queue to avoid it. I got some strange looks but at least I got home

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by embee

In a car I always try to slow gradually to keep as much distance between me and the car ahead as I can, flash brake lights repeatedly (I'm sure it annoys some people), and try not to be the back of the queue if I can help it. If you have to come to a stop, leave plenty of space ahead so at least if you're rear-ended you don't end up crushed between vehicles. If there's no-one behind you then it's not causing any problems by slowing right down, if there is traffic behind you can build up your own buffer behind to protect you.

I agree totally with this, something I do in the car and on the bike. Ever since that dozy bird drove into the back of stationary bike without so much as slowing down, I've had an almost paranoid fixation to not be hit again.

It's something I'm aware of more in the car than I am on the bike (maybe because I'm lower down), and if anyone's dares to tailgate me, I just slow down more.

Jo