Over-Reaction?

[paulc]

I had 4 attempts made on my life on the way home tonight.

1. Merc checking to his right, failed to check in front of him and drove straight out at me, probably still looking right. I seen the bonnet approach as I safety checked and a quick twist of the wrist got me out of the way, but it was inches!

2. C-Max parked on the pavement with lights on rolls back onto the road with no reverse lights on. This took me by surpise, but a little jink around him and I carried on.

3. Taxi coming out of a blind T Junction I was turning right into it, he was turning left coming out, there was a van on the corner blocking both our views. I seen this one coming as soon as I seen his headlights on the road. Taxi just wails on out to get round the van on his side and into my lane, where I wasn't any longer. I was right over near the kerb.

4. This one give the post it's name. 60mph single carriageway B road, staggered X roads. I slowed waiting first on the guy on the right to pull out in front of me. He didn't, so I waited on the guy on the left. He was motionless.... then, a few seconds later he goes for it. I'd expected it, so I was immediately on the brakes and got slowed nicely down in behind him.

Now, was it an over-reaction of me to then stuff my finger on the horn button for a good 3 seconds?

I know the highway code and Roadcraft says the horn should never be used as a rebute, but in my opinion what I was doing was making it very clear what he did to everyone around, especially himself and maybe it will make them think, yea, I should maybe think twice before I assume I know the distance and speed on a bike approaching on 60mph road at night! That might save someone's life.

Did I overreact? I kinda felt a little embarressed afterwards that I made a big deal out of it when I clearly stopped without major drama, just a firm app of the brakes. In fact I released the brakes still doing 20mph as he accelerated.

I also badly need a hi-viz again

[Mrrikki]

Well using the horn sometimes makes you mad and can create red mist; but I understand why you used it!

Be safe out there on these dark nights; high vis vests are a must to help the idiots in a car see us I always wear mine even in the day now; also got a high vis rucksack cover today.

Glad you got home safe

[1066biker]

The horn has one meaning only, i.e I'm here!
Or in this case I'M HEEEEEEERRRRRE!!

[Bogof]

Originally Posted by paulc

Now, was it an over-reaction of me to then stuff my finger on the horn button for a good 3 seconds?

Only you know the answer to that

I occasionally use the extended blast to signify "this replaces the sound of the crash I just avoided!"

[paulc]

Originally Posted by Mrrikki

Well using the horn sometimes makes you mad and can create red mist; but I understand why you used it!

A slight tangent, but with the camera on the helmet on the other day I got a bit of a rage head on. It started cause it had started raining and I could immediately tell the anti-rain spray (Solclear TT-X) didn't work one bit, the rain was sitting in big ole drops and not being blown off by the 40mph wind. Then the car at the front of the fast lane queue doddled away from the lights like their accelerator pedal was on fire or something. At least he moved into the left lane, the other 2 in front didn't, nor did they do the speed limit or overtake!

On the audio track I was f'ing and blinding the helmet calling them all the names of the day. However, I am proud to say that with the audio track muted you would not have been able to tell from my driving, not one bit.

Errr.... except that 3 miles down the road, when as I predicted on the audio track the 2 cars that sat doing speed limit -5 to -10 mph in the right lane, causing all of us to undertaken by a BMW were indeed turning right... I looked at the lead car and shook my head slightly as I passed. That was the only sign that they had pissed me off.

[paulc]

Originally Posted by Bogof

Only you know the answer to that

I think maybe 2 seconds would have done. 3 was too much

[GS500Ryan]

It sounds to me like your forward planning and anticipation of developing hazards is excellent, well done for avoiding some situations which others may have missed (or rather hit?)

It can't hurt to re-educate drivers to make them aware that it was only by your good judgement that they narrowly avoided an indecent and if this modifies future behaviour then job done!

In situations such as you've described I think the horn is a civilised way of doing this, from past experience I'm not always quite so civilised.
"CAN YOU SEE ME NOW YOU F###ING BLIND C###!"

But I'd echo the top tips for getting a Hi-Vis especially in these conditions.

[paulc]

Any online orderable HiViz's that people have tried? In particular the fastening and wind properties.

The last one I had the fastening would only stay closed when I was wearing my rucksack, that effectively muted the hiviz anyway. Was okay in the CG, but the KLE seems to keep pulling it off my back like a parachute.

[Mrrikki]

Red Oak look at the Hi Vis Vest with ID Pocket (it zips so ideal for motorcycles) Red Oak Direct Ltd. High Visibility Vests this is where I got mine from.

[GS500Ryan]

Originally Posted by paulc

Any online orderable HiViz's that people have tried? In particular the fastening and wind properties.

The last one I had the fastening would only stay closed when I was wearing my rucksack, that effectively muted the hiviz anyway. Was okay in the CG, but the KLE seems to keep pulling it off my back like a parachute.

Hi Visibility Vests & Jackets | Hi Vis Clothing | Work Wear

Don't be put off by the fact that almost all the products are modelled by fit blonde chicks, they come in all sizes

it has an excellent Velcro closure and I can also "dress" my rucksack in it and this works brilliantly rather than having a dedicated hi viz backpack or trying to find some sort of hi viz backpack cover.