Another in a long-line of Z-list celebrities is using US to fill in some space in their otherwise pointless columns.
Fiona Phillips - best known as a presenter on breakfast television - hardly the cutting edge of journalism, had this to say on the subject of motocyclists in her regular column in the 'Daily Mirror' newspaper:
"WHEEL PLONKERS
AT the risk of incurring the wrath of thousands of motorcyclists... why are you all such crap drivers?
Overtaking on the inside is illegal, cutting people up on the motorway is dangerous, and if I'm indicating to turn right you're not supposed to overtake me. And do you have to tailgate me with your full beam on?
Oh, if you spot me on the road after this, it won't be me. It's someone disguised as me."
The full column is at http://www.mirror.co.uk/columnists/fiona/
The above drivel annoyed me enough to write to Ms Phillips, via her newspaper. My open letter follows:
“Yes Ms Phillips, you will incur the wrath of motorcyclists. Especially when your comments would appear to be written without much thought.
Firstly, by “undertaking”, I assume you mean FILTERING? Or the practice of riding between two lines of traffic? Well Ms Phillips, if you read your Highway Code, you will find this is perfectly legal in the UK.
Of course, if you do mean the inside lane was empty so the motorcycle in question was able to overtake you, then again, read your Highway Code and learn about lane discipline. If the inside lane was empty, then no matter what speed you were doing, you should have moved there. Which would have allowed the motorcyclist to overtake you in the correct lane.
Next, overtaking when you were indicating to turn right – did you look in your mirror (no pun intended) before signalling? Back to the Highway Code again – MIRROR, SIGNAL, MANOUVRE.
And as for your ‘tailgaiting with full beam’ – guess where we are going next? Yes, the Highway Code again. It is recommended that motorcyclists ride (not drive Ms Phillips, get your terminology right please) with their headlights switched on at all times. Our headlights are, due to our vehicles being taller, placed higher up that a car headlight. So it probably isn’t on full beam at all, just more in evidence than a car headlight. Given your ‘indicating’comment, I’d say having our headlights on, which clearly upsets you so much, gives us a fighting chance of being seen before you turn!
And tailgate? So it is just motorcycles that get too close is it? I ride every day and run a gauntlet of idiot car drivers who do not read anything further than the car in front – and regularly sit well within the ‘two second rule’ distance (if you have not heard of this Ms Phillips, it is in the Highway Code – remember that?) – often within a couple of feet of the vehicle in front. Bad enough when it is a car, but when it is a vulnerable vehicle like a motorcycle? Dangerous driving.
But I assume that is acceptable, as it is ‘nice car’ rather than a ‘nasty motorcycle’?
Do you know the main cause of motorcycle accidents Ms Phillips? I doubt it, so you will probably not care one jot to learn the main cause of accidents involving motorcycles are caused by car drivers pulling out from side turnings without due care and attention, known to us as the “I didn’t see you” scenario.
Our life is hard enough as it is – fuel being added to the flames by such irresponsible writing as yours? We could do without it thanks. “
If you would like to make your thoughts known to the newspaper that pays Ms Phillips to write this kind of drivel, then email:
mailbox@mirror.co.uk
I think people like this need a kick up the backside. Presenting the most pointless form of television ("And now, lets look at fashion for the over-90s") hardly makes her an expert on motoring, does it?
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Originally Posted by Two Smoker
for your letter 
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