reohn2 wrote: ↑9 Jun 2022, 4:38pm
Problem is that there are so many drivers not paying enough attention to their driving,so wearing something that makes you stand out like a sore thumb at least gives you a better chance of being seen by the inattentive driver.
(snip)
A very bright flashing light, fore & aft, can make one visible to drivers sooner than if one rides without, in some circumstances. It has to be bright and flashing, though. I've come across many cyclists that I see as such well before I notice their weak glimmer of a light.
Moreover, truly inattentive drivers still won't see you, because they're not looking. They're phoning, screen-gawping or staring deeply into the eyes of their passenger as they hold an intense conversation about last night's soap opera doings.
And, whilst it hasn't yet happened to me out here in civilised West Wales, I can recall cases in NW Ingurland where a motorised loon gave me a punishment pass, largely because I had a bright red flashing light in the rear that he took agin'. How do I know this? A couple of the degenerates slowed down 6 inches from my handlebars to tell me they objected to me "trying to be special".
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Your general point that making oneself more visible won't hurt is a fair one, though. Some people will appreciate being able to see you sooner, especially the ones so decrepit, unskilled, badly sighted, plain stupid or otherwise unfit to drive that they need 5X the warning before being able to steer, brake or otherwise take actions to avoid running you over.
Why aren't these inept drivers weeded out by the testing, the observations of the rozzers or other processes seeking to avoid RME (Road Mayhem Events)? My own belief is that there's a loose conspiracy of those in legal circles, from law makers to rozzers to beaks, who have decided to give motorists special rights to maim and kill. Yes, seriously. One may read their PR in the newspaps, especially those newspaps many of us feel are guilty of other crimes agin' society.
Cugel, in a paranoid mood (but it ain't paranoia if its true).
“Practical men who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence are usually the slaves of some defunct economist”.
John Maynard Keynes