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Original poster

I nearly caused an accident

69 replies

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 14:17

Sorry, I’m not sure why I’m posting I’m just really shaken up.

I was just driving home along a 60mph rural road (although it’s not possible to actually go that fast). I pulled out at a T junction to turn right, onto another road, (I checked left and right two times each as it’s another 60mph and there’s corners not too far away each side so vehicles can suddenly appear) and the road has high trees one side so is fairly dark even in the middle of the day. As I pulled out there was suddenly a cyclist by my car that was also on the same side of the road I was (so going in the same direction). I pulled out right by him, I totally didn’t see him. I’m in such a shock and I’m so upset with myself. I’ve been driving 20 years and never done this before.

He was obviously really angry that I pulled out on him, he stayed right in the middle of the road round the corner and once I could overtake when the road straightened out I did, I wound down the window to apologise, which I did, but he just told me to fuck off and look where I’m going and put his middle finger up at me. I was upset at the whole situation so I did end up telling him to get some hi vis. In my defence he was wearing all black, black bike, black trainers, black trousers and black jumper.
My daughter has a pony (and I used to have a horse) so I do understand how vulnerable cyclists are on the roads. However my daughters insurance for her pony would be invalid if she didn’t wear hi vis whilst riding and had an accident

Do you think the cyclist will call the police? Could I be fined/prosecuted for not paying attention whilst driving? Although I didn’t actually hit him. It was a genuine mistake but would they believe me?

OP posts:

Saucery · 22/03/2021 14:20

I doubt he will call the police and even if he did they won’t be interested in “she almost hit me”.
Unlikely he was wearing a head cam either, if he was all in black with no other safety precautions.
Don’t beat yourself up, you didn’t hit him and you’ll look 4 times instead of twice next time in a similar situation.

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 14:25

I’m pretty sure he wasn’t wearing a head cam, although he had a helmet on so maybe I just didn’t notice it.

I definitely will look a lot more next time, I feel horrendous that I almost caused an accident, and I just can’t believe I didn’t even see him.

You’re right, I didn’t hit him so even if he does call the police I really hope they won’t be interested.

OP posts:

Timeforabiscuit · 22/03/2021 14:31

If he was dressed all in black, I bet he didn't have a bell or lights - he would have been practically invisible, so of course you wouldn't have seen them.

Hot sweet cup of tea for you, sounds like a horrible shock.

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 14:41

Thanks timeforabiscuit I should make myself a sweet tea and try to not dwell too much.
Thankfully I didn’t hit him, it could’ve been a lot worse. And no he definitely didn’t have lights on his bike either, roads which have high hedges and trees can be surprisingly dark during sunny days so he probably should’ve had lights.

OP posts:

WisteriaSuperior · 22/03/2021 14:45

You'll be fine. I reported myself once, totally wasn't my fault the stupid cyclist was cycling on the pavement over the entrance to a car park I was entering... He collided with the rear corner of my car... Police filed the report and never contacted me to persue further.

Take this as a lesson to defend yourself and buy a dash cam Xxx

LagneyandCasey · 22/03/2021 14:49

He's an idiot. Cyclists should make themselves visible even during daylight hours.

Take away from this that you'll be extra vigilant in future. A dashcam is essential nowadays.

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 14:54

Thanks for your replies. I obviously mainly feel awful for nearly hitting him, but I’m also worried he’s took my car reg to report me.
A dash cam for my car would be a really good idea, I’ve been thinking about getting one on and off but this is probably the push I need to actually get it, thanks.

OP posts:

wishywashywoowoo70 · 22/03/2021 14:57

He can't report you for pulling out and not seeing him. The police will tell
Him to piss off.
Don't worry about it.
He sounds like a dick anyway

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 15:01

Really wishywashy? That does makes me feel a lot better. I feel bad enough for pulling out on him, it would be even worse having the police involved too.

OP posts:

dizzydizzydizzy · 22/03/2021 15:02

Oooh OP, that sounds horrible. I'm a cyclist and my blood boils when I see them all in black. It goes against the advice in the Highway Code. I nearly cycled into a runner who was wearing all black. The sun was in my eyes and the runner was in the shadows on my side of the road (country Lane, no footpath).

GravityFalls · 22/03/2021 15:03

If I was that cyclist I'd have pulled back to let you go first anyway - otherwise you'd end up having to overtake me on the second road if we're both going the same way. Makes more sense to let the car go ahead!

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 15:06

Sorry I didn’t make it clear, he was already on the road I was pulling out onto. It was totally my fault, I didn’t go into him as he was closer to the side of the road and I was only pulling out so I was still in the middle of the road. I didn’t explain it well.

OP posts:

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 15:08

dizzy it can be really tough when it’s sunny and you’re on a road with trees making lots of shadows as they can be really dark and make it hard to see walkers, cyclists, horses etc. But there’s so many roads and like that where it happened I’m amazed he didn’t have any hi viz on.

OP posts:

Dobbyafreeelf · 22/03/2021 15:17

@largeredwineplease it's not your fault for not seeing him when he has done everything possible to not be seen. I think it's time that it was compulsory for cyclists to wear hi-vis and have 3rd party insurance. I had a similar experience recently in a car park.
I was reversing out of a space and a cyclist all in black (including the bike) shot out of an alleyway. He banged on the back of the car and was screaming at me. Fortunately there was a police officer in an unmarked car who heard what was going on. He told cyclist that far from me being in the wrong he was for coming out of the alleyway without looking and gave him strong words of advice around what he was wearing!

Floralnomad · 22/03/2021 15:21

What is he going to report you for , you didn’t actually hit him , stop worrying about it , you know it was your mistake that’s good enough .

Mumski45 · 22/03/2021 15:22

This happened to me today except I was the cyclist. In my case the car just came out in front of me from a side road. I had a hunch as I approached that the driver either wasn't looking or didn't want to stop as they initially crept out and then decided to go just as I got to the junction. I had therefore slowed a bit as even if it wasn't my fault it would be me who would come off worst so the car came out in front of me.

It is quite scary when this happens and I imagine the cyclist was a bit shaken up as I was so please don't take their rudeness to heart. If you had apologised to me I would not have sworn at you but I may have been grumpy.

For information I am not all in black and wear a helmet with lights on even in full daylight.

As PP have said if he wasn't wearing easily visible/reflective clothing then it's unlikely he was concerned enough about his own safety to have a camera so I think you will be fine. If he has no camera then the police are very unlikely to do anything as it's just your word against his so in this case you are lucky.

I do have a camera on order as this is happening more and more to cyclists and I want to be able to prove what happens if someone does hit me.

Please please take more care next time and always look for cyclists.

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 15:26

Dobbyafreeelf is does seem to be a not an uncommon thing to happen, it’s just I’d never experienced it before. And it’s good to know the police officer had words with him regarding his choice of clothing. Although your cyclist didn’t look properly it was definitely me that didn’t look well enough this time (although how well can you look when the cyclist is in all black Im not sure!)
I constantly drum into my daughter, when she’s riding wearing hi viz is non negotiable. Most cyclists do seem to, hopefully this one will now.

OP posts:

garlictwist · 22/03/2021 15:29

Cyclist is not an idiot - it was not his fault and high vis is not a legal requirement, even at night.

The police won't care anyway, so I wouldn't worry about that and you are suitably contrite. These things really shake you up, I hope you're OK now.

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 15:34

Floralnomad I’m worrying because I nearly hit someone, acknowledging it was a mistake doesn’t make me feel instantly fine about it.

OP posts:

MiaChia · 22/03/2021 15:41

garlictwist, interesting that you say the cyclist was not an idiot 🤔Is it not idiotic for vulnerable road users to make themselves as invisible as possible to other road users? Maybe you're you the sort of person who'd step onto a zebra crossing in front of a speeding car because being right is more important to you than being alive? I know which I'd choose but each to their own ...

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 15:42

Mumski45 I can totally sympathise that it must scary when it happens. It really must be. I always get annoyed when cars zoom past my daughter on her pony so can i see it from his perspective. I do need to make sure I take more time to look next time.
And I know it’s not a legal requirement to wear hi viz as a cyclist same as for a horse rider. But I know how vulnerable it is to be a on the road on your horse (coincidentally I used to ride the same road happened on) so I’d have never gone out without being covered in it.

OP posts:

SummerHouse · 22/03/2021 15:44

I have done a similar thing. I tell myself not to obsess about what could have happened but to learn from it. So I am extra careful. Look a forth and fifth time etc. I suspect the cyclist was shaken up hence the reaction. Important thing is, you didn't hit him.

Beenaboutabit · 22/03/2021 15:46

Victim blaming based on clothing?

Fucking hell!

You almost killed someone (by accident) and it's suddenly their fault.

rainbowdaz · 22/03/2021 15:48

@Beenaboutabit

Victim blaming based on clothing?

Fucking hell!

You almost killed someone (by accident) and it's suddenly their fault.

Are you for real?

Original poster

largeredwineplease · 22/03/2021 15:50

I’m not victim blaming? I said it was my fault. But I can also acknowledge that wearing dark clothing whilst riding along a poorly lit road isn’t the best idea.
Horse riders are constantly told to wear high vis to make themselves noticeable. On a horse fb group I’m on riders are berated for not wearing hi viz on the road. As vulnerable road users it’s drummed into us, I’m surprised it isn’t for cyclists.

OP posts:

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