Safe Speed Forums

Having just entered the nearby town a junction to my left is often busy and to my surprise a van simply and slowly pulled out. People can be a bit cheeky but this was blatant 'pull out in front of you' type ... I braked and kept as far right as my lane would allow and was comfortably able to brake in time and without full lock up.

I was concerned in the way that it had happened so after a long stop start to the next section of road and no further incidents, I was able to confront the driver in a friendly open manner.

Basically he claimed to have received notification that morning that his mum was diagnosed with cancer and he was totally thrown by this. He apologised and was concerned that I may inform the Police (without an independent 2nd witness it wouldn't have done anything anyway). I said that I wasn't as the rest of his driving had been fine and it that I can understand great concerns but that did not excuse his behaviour and in fact he needed to take even more care to ensure he didn't add to her woes and concerns. I suggested that he get a friend to drive if he is this distracted by this and go and get a coffee in the nearby supermarket.
As I drove away (I had got out of my car to go to his (in a gas station)), he was still in a daze crossing the forecourt ! So I wound down the window and advised him to call a friend which he claimed that he had already done.
He was visibly shaken and was grateful that I wasn't going to call the Police. I went by a fair bit later and his van was gone so I hope he was OK and that his friend arrived and hopefully take him to see his mum !

But how many accidents occur because people are 'self distracted' for 'thinking' reasons ? As you all know I have been through a mass of grief and been driving all over the Country and although I recognised the bad times and stop and such where is the information and advice for motorists these days. Should we assume that they all think clearly when they are struck with great concerns or grief ? Today we see the press announce that police will now be judge, jury and prosecutor handing out fines and tickets (or maybe more courses in time), so how might that have possibly helped this chap ? Not one bit and in fact would have made it all a whole lot worse.
If we can devise methods to help stop distraction and keep motorists engaged with their task at hand then this is real road safety.
We have seen far too much over-enforcement and surely it is time to re-consider the whole approach.

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