Didn't think my first accident would be quite like this...

[Road Guardian]

Lesson No.1 Always stop where you can be seen! That includes vehicles to the side, in front and behind.

I was driving the other day, came over a high blind crest, (a river bank crest) and suddenly in front of me was a car, in my lane, stopped. The driver was chatting to a friend on the side of the road, and his parking was that of someone with about 2 neurons in his brain.

Luckily I was not going the speed limit (100kph) and had slowed down for the crest. Managed to come to a stop, the guy finally saw me, and sped off, he prob thought I was the police (some people get confused).

[racerhead]

Steady on old chap - did you learn to drive in Europe or summat?

you know my secret

[nigel]

There was no chance to filter on this occasion - we were all stopped on a median strip with traffic going both ways. I think the only thing I _could_ have done was leave a big gap between me and him and be waaaay over to the right so I could see his mirrors, because there really was nowhere for me to go sideways.

The horn is "legal" (read: really tinny postman pat styles), but it is quite loud all the same.. but point taken about revving the engine too!

Now I have to wait until monday when everything opens before I can get the insurance people on it (I already called the after hours people) and get the damage assessed... grr

[prettybillie]

:slap:. Oh, and also I must remember to use that HORN next time!

Be a good thing to remember. Let's hope there's not a next time though

[pete376403]

You ever notice that sign on the back of some trucks "If you can't see my mirrors - I can't see you"? It's true.

[klingon]

One of the things I was told while learning to drive a car was when stopped in traffic was always stay far enough behind the car in front, enough to escape out beside it and the best way of judging this distance was when you look in under the back of the car you should still be able to see where the wheels contact the ground. If the bumper blocks this view it means your too close. So if possible use this on the bike aswell and you wont have any problems, well less problems anyway

Steady on old chap - did you learn to drive in Europe or summat? I was taught that too when I was learning to drive - there are a lot of little good habits I have from driving a cage around Glasgow, London and the rest of the UK that just seem not to have been learnt by drivers here. A shame really coz the kiwis think they are fantastic drivers in general.

Funnily enough, the only people I know who use this technique are from South Africa. They do it so they can get away if there's an attempted carjacking.

But this (and being rear-ended at a stop sign) have definitely made me more aware of leaving an escape route. Every time I get a bit slack about it someone tells a story like this and reminds me why it's so important. Thanks!

[CB ARGH]

Scary shit!

I had my first crazy cager cut me off completely (changed lanes with no indication or headchecks etc), I honk the horn, his head doesn't change direction and he keeps going. I just slowed down to get out of his way before I kissed his wing mirror.

First time it's happened to me so it's something different.