MIRROR, SIGNAL, MANOEUVRE
Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 9:07 pm
Yesterday, whilst out on a lesson with my wifes deputy manage on the B3078 Wimborne Minster/Cranborne road we caught up with a cyclist who was traveling at a reasonable speed. Looking for an opportunity to overtake we decided that there was not enough distance to pass safely, so we hung back. We had three cars behind, the first of which was a reasonable following distance behind. About half a mile farther on an opportunity presented itself off a right hand bend. Road ahead was checked for entrances and condition of the road surface and a decision was made to go. A signal was not necessary bcauase the follwing cars had not rounded the bend. So we pulled out giving the cyclist a good passing clearance, checked the interior mirror and pulled back in when clear and continued on our way.
A couple of miles on we pulled into a lay-by to do some theory. After a few minutes the cyclist that we had passed pulled in shouting MIRROR, SIGNAL, MANOEUVRE at us. Enquiring what his problem was, he screamed at me that I was teaching him wrong. And why is that? I enquired. You didn't signal. It's law. It's in the Highway Code MIRROR, SIGNAL, MANOEUVRE. I tried to explain that a signal is considered and in this instance it was not needed as the following vehicles would not benefit and moving out would make our intention obvious, to which he said that he would benifit from a signal, to which I replied that he had a signal, our position, which was off side when he looked round so what good would a right signal do. You must use your indicator, it's law, it's in the Highway Code.
He would not accept that signals are considered, and that they can be given by any means other than by direction indicators, hand signals, or brake lights. He was in the military and had to take a test once a year for the vehicles that he drove. At this point I'd had enough, and as he'd been carrying on about me giving incorrect instruction, and that driving instructors basically didn't know what they were doing, rightly or wrongly I retaliated and basically informed him that from what I'd been told about military driver training, it was stuck in the past, and that his behaviour typified someone who screams orders and never likes to be challenged. I also told him to change places with me and teach my pupil as he was obviously beter qualified to do it than I was. To which he replied that he didn't have time, and went on his way.
I appologised to my pupil who said that he had felt like getting out and having a go at the cyclist. We agreed that perhaps that was not the best thing to do, and that this just shows how something so petty could escalate into something more serious. I have to admit to losing my temper though, which is something I have had to battle with all my life.
Nigel.
A couple of miles on we pulled into a lay-by to do some theory. After a few minutes the cyclist that we had passed pulled in shouting MIRROR, SIGNAL, MANOEUVRE at us. Enquiring what his problem was, he screamed at me that I was teaching him wrong. And why is that? I enquired. You didn't signal. It's law. It's in the Highway Code MIRROR, SIGNAL, MANOEUVRE. I tried to explain that a signal is considered and in this instance it was not needed as the following vehicles would not benefit and moving out would make our intention obvious, to which he said that he would benifit from a signal, to which I replied that he had a signal, our position, which was off side when he looked round so what good would a right signal do. You must use your indicator, it's law, it's in the Highway Code.
He would not accept that signals are considered, and that they can be given by any means other than by direction indicators, hand signals, or brake lights. He was in the military and had to take a test once a year for the vehicles that he drove. At this point I'd had enough, and as he'd been carrying on about me giving incorrect instruction, and that driving instructors basically didn't know what they were doing, rightly or wrongly I retaliated and basically informed him that from what I'd been told about military driver training, it was stuck in the past, and that his behaviour typified someone who screams orders and never likes to be challenged. I also told him to change places with me and teach my pupil as he was obviously beter qualified to do it than I was. To which he replied that he didn't have time, and went on his way.
I appologised to my pupil who said that he had felt like getting out and having a go at the cyclist. We agreed that perhaps that was not the best thing to do, and that this just shows how something so petty could escalate into something more serious. I have to admit to losing my temper though, which is something I have had to battle with all my life.
Nigel.