Cycling UK Forum

krull wrote:A neighbour of mine was run down by a truck while driving towards a low setting sun.

The problem there was the low setting sun. I doubt a bit of pastic and foam will make much difference when hit by several tons of truck.

I deal with riding into a low setting sun by avoiding it. On tour I might start early or late. On rare occassions with little choice I have been watching my mirror and been ready to ride off the road to avoid being hit.

On this day on tour I set off early into a rising sun to avoid extreme heat later. But there was little traffic, a smooth wide shoulder, and I still watched overtaking traffic in my mirror.




Surviving being hit by a truck while going into low sun is not a reason to wear a helmet.

So what is really needed is for low setting suns to be banned.

Oldjohnw wrote:So what is really needed is for low setting suns to be banned.

Or, you know, we could require motorists to stop when they can't see the road ahead...

Maybe station snipers at the sunny end of the road to pick off the drivers who persist.

mjr wrote:Or, you know, we could require motorists to stop when they can't see the road ahead...

Some years ago, we drove down to Moditonham Quay for a walk.
Down on the banks of the Kingsmill Lake - inlet off the River Tamar.
https://www.streetmap.co.uk/place/Modit ... _72611.htm

Very narrow road, high banks.
It was late afternoon when we left and the sun was getting low and shining straight at us down the "tunnel" of the lane. No escape from it, we could see nothing but blinding sun. Dead straight bit of lane.
I got out, and tried to see up the lane, but couldn't.
We had to wait until the sun moved. Maybe ten minutes.

Never forgotten it.

Mick F wrote:

mjr wrote:Or, you know, we could require motorists to stop when they can't see the road ahead...

Some years ago, we drove down to Moditonham Quay for a walk.
Down on the banks of the Kingsmill Lake - inlet off the River Tamar.
https://www.streetmap.co.uk/place/Modit ... _72611.htm

Very narrow road, high banks.
It was late afternoon when we left and the sun was getting low and shining straight at us down the "tunnel" of the lane. No escape from it, we could see nothing but blinding sun. Dead straight bit of lane.
I got out, and tried to see up the lane, but couldn't.
We had to wait until the sun moved. Maybe ten minutes.

Never forgotten it.

I'd suggest you are in the minority,the vast majority would've driven on.

reohn2 wrote:

Mick F wrote:

mjr wrote:Or, you know, we could require motorists to stop when they can't see the road ahead...

Some years ago, we drove down to Moditonham Quay for a walk.
Down on the banks of the Kingsmill Lake - inlet off the River Tamar.
https://www.streetmap.co.uk/place/Modit ... _72611.htm

Very narrow road, high banks.
It was late afternoon when we left and the sun was getting low and shining straight at us down the "tunnel" of the lane. No escape from it, we could see nothing but blinding sun. Dead straight bit of lane.
I got out, and tried to see up the lane, but couldn't.
We had to wait until the sun moved. Maybe ten minutes.

Never forgotten it.

I'd suggest you are in the minority,the vast majority would've driven on.

Often had to do that.

........ but we were blind.
Could not see anything but sun full in the face.

Notwithstanding driving into someone, it wasn't possible to drive blind as the road couldn't be seen let alone anything at all.

Imagine driving with your eyes tight shut.
Where are the corners?
Forget hazards or pedestrians or cyclists.
Where are you on the road?

Was nearly run over by a driver entering a roundabout. I could see the sun was in her face as she entered as I look for eye contact so managed to split second avoid the collision whilst shouting a few expletives into her open window.

She followed me down the road and yelled at me it was my fault for wearing black. I had time to ask if she randomly pulled out in front of black cars but she floored it....into the sunset.

ossie wrote:She followed me down the road and yelled at me it was my fault for wearing black. I had time to ask if she randomly pulled out in front of black cars but she floored it....into the sunset.

I drive a black car. Yes, they do, but it's because they're incompetent and driving blind. I could be driving a tank bristling with guns and they wouldn't stop.

Mick F wrote:........ but we were blind.
Could not see anything but sun full in the face.

Notwithstanding driving into someone, it wasn't possible to drive blind as the road couldn't be seen let alone anything at all.

Imagine driving with your eyes tight shut.
Where are the corners?
Forget hazards or pedestrians or cyclists.
Where are you on the road?

I was agreeing with you,there are some drivers driving blind every day,I've had drivers overtake me on blind righthand bends on the wrong side of the road on a regular basis,so much so nothing surprises me these days.It's as if they left their brain at home when they got into the car

reohn2 wrote: .............It's as if they left their brain at home when they got into the car

A good mantra ................. Engage brain before selecting gears.