58% of drivers claims to have been ‘cut-up’ by another driver in the past six months, according to a recent IAM poll.
Failure to look is a contributory factor in 29% of serious collisions and 36% of slight collisions, according to the IAM. 83% of those who participated in the poll said that these incidents – knows as SMIDSY (sorry mate I didn’t see you) – would decrease if drivers’ awareness of motorcycles was improved.
Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said: “SMIDSY moments are happening far too often, and very few people are prepared to take responsibility for their part in them. It’s always someone else’s fault. All road users need to be more aware of who they are sharing the road with, and the risks they present.
“Other road users’ intentions can often be guessed by their body language and position on the road, so drive defensively, and leave room so that if somebody does do something unexpected, you have time to deal with it.”
For more information contact the IAM Press Office on 020 8996 9777.
Further to my previous response. As the article in question shows an offside mirror as having some consequence presumably for not being seen prior to an incident. I feel that I must get on my band waggon again and complain about the manufacture of wing mirrors that totally distort the distance one’s vehicle is from the vehicle behind and which causes overtaking traffic to pull in and cut up the vehicle just been overtaken.
Apparent distance as viewed in nearside mirror may indicate possibly 60 ft, actual real distance 30ft. At 70 mph really too close.
The same with moving out to overtake. A look at the offside mirror may show about 45ft but in actual fact the vehicle coming up behind is only 30ft from rear end. So the vehicle behind is cut up by the vehicle in front moving out. Wrongly, believing that they have space to do so.
Why have the manufacturers been allowed to get away with this?
bob craven LANCS
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I think we must go back to remember the two second rule. At whatever speed it gives a driver or rider enough space to decide on a course of action which hopefully results in no SMIDSY, plus being some 2 seconds behind a large vehicle it gives greater conspicuity to any cyclist or twv rider.
A lot of people don’t know of the 2 second rule and those that do believe it is for rural fast roads only but its greatest viability to prevent accidents is actually in urban and town situations.
The 2 second rule could also be useful as the time taken to look properly and not just glance, giving those doing it the opportunity to actually see what they would otherwise miss or disregard.
Bob Craven Lancs
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