This morning I went for a ride

[shrub]

and as usual, before I left the shed i checked my brakes, lights, tyres etc. On the road I watched every other road user, including the guy eating a pie in heavy traffic, the woman having an animated conversation with her passenger (including frequent eye contact) and the person who indicated after they had made their move. I made sure i wasn't in people's blind spots, covered my brakes going through intersections, kept a close eye on the surface of the road etc - all the stuff that most of us do every time we get on our bikes because we know that falling off sucks.

I thought I was riding safely and quite carefully, but a really nice pleaseman in a white Commodore pulled me over and told me that I was doing the terrible speed of 63 kmh, and he was kind enough to inform me of incredibly irresponsible I was, and that my riding was endangering the lives of widows and orphans. His final comment was "slow down, I don't want to have to scrape you off the road" before he pulled pull out without indicating and did a U turn in front of traffic to chase a couple of young lads who seemed to be doing at least 65 kmh (mad fools!).

But I feel happy knowing he is out there making the Queen's highways safe for old women and children by restraining the manic and suicidal urges of us greasy old bikers as we blast madly down the road at insane speeds, and I will trade my T Bird in for a Pajero or a Volvo (something with a cup holder so I can drink a nice cup of coffee while I drive) and never speed again. And I am glad to contribute money to the coffers and pay for the noble constable's donuts.

Oh happy day!

[MarkH]

To cut a long story short, I got pulled over for doing 63 kmh, and had some fat cop lecture me about safety

Sounds like the typical bullshit. I have had a ticket for a similar speed on a road that later got changed to a 70kph zone - I guess my speed wasn't so dangerous after all. I still had to pay the fine and get the demerit points though.

If you exceed the speed limit by more than 10kph they will fine you if they can, because they can. Safety doesn't have a thing to do with it at all! It's all about the revenue gathering!

[breakaway]

I say we revolt. Immediately.

[JR1]

newb question - where is the cars blind spot?

i only ask this due to an incident i had the other day which involved my foot and a car door.

[Lurch]

mother

fucker

[firefighter]

newb question - where is the cars blind spot?

i only ask this due to an incident i had the other day which involved my foot and a car door.

Do you have a car licence? (serious question)

[shrub]

newb question - where is the cars blind spot?

i only ask this due to an incident i had the other day which involved my foot and a car door.

In my experience, for most car drivers everywhere but directly in front of the car. Most cars have a 270 degree blind spot, and if they are eating/drinking/having a conversation/disciplining little Tarquin in the back seat it become 355 degrees. However by some miracle truck drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and about 10% of normal car drivers don't have a blind spot when they drive, or more to the point know that you need to look before you change lanes.

[slofox]

Hmmmm...lucky your copper didn't see me on my ride this morning...

Oh, hang on. Maybe he could've got the scooter rider who passed me on the left, thereby endangering babies and old ladies!

[jim.cox]

newb question - where is the cars blind spot?

The blind spots are to the rear and to the side of the back of the car

They are on both sides, into which the driver can't see. ( even if they use their mirrors or, heaven forbid, turn their heads)

The exact size and shape depends on the design of the individual car. Station wagons' are usually smaller than cars. VW's have big ones because of the thick rear pillar, Vans ones can be huge

They are masked from the inside by the rear pillars

[slofox]

The blind spots are to the rear and to the side of the back of the car

They are on both sides, into which the driver can't see. ( even if they use their mirrors or, heaven forbid, turn their heads)

The exact size and shape depends on the design of the individual car. Station wagons' are usually smaller than cars. VW's have big ones because of the thick rear pillar, Vans ones can be huge

They are masked from the inside by the rear pillars

Oh. I thought it was wherever a motorbike was...

[JR1]

Do you have a car licence? (serious question)

yes but only my learners, i havnt ownd a car in years. been scootering and now riding around.

[jim.cox]

Oh. I thought it was wherever a motorbike was...

Lol - Indeed it is - you must spread some more rep etc etc etc

[Bald Eagle]

newb question - where is the cars blind spot?

i only ask this due to an incident i had the other day which involved my foot and a car door.

Between the drivers ears.

[Grubber]

Apparently they don't chase every hoon around. I got passed by a Harley whilst in my work ute yesterday with an on coming Truck going the other way. He slipped through between us with only 4 maybe 5 feet to spare between us. The plod behind didn't even flinch. If that was me i would either be dead or no licence.
Obviously they are very picky about who they chase.

[firefighter]

yes but only my learners, i havnt ownd a car in years. been scootering and now riding around.

Ohk. Well if you ever have had lessons, you would have been told to turn your head and look rather than just check your mirrors, then shown the following which is worth trying out;

Sit in a mates/parents car, have them move around by the rear door while you look in the side mirror until you ca'nt see them. Turn your head and look where they are, they will be right next to the car. That's is where the blind spot is. Worth doing so you can get an idea of where they ca'nt see.

Pretty much between the rear of the car up to the drivers door can be considered a blind spot, and is a dangerous/stupid place to ride without keeping very a close eye on the car.