I have travelled on this stretch of road many times coming back from Stratford-on-Avon myself but although you say that you would be to blame is not necessary the case because when the Police would have arrived at the scene and you stated that the other driver had not had their headlights on in heavy rain (which is a requirement by law as stated in the highway code) and the third party stated the opposite this could have been checked by the Police as they have a device to check the period of time that the headlights has been active for. They do this when vehicles are in night time colllision or restricted visibility. If it was found that the other drivers statement didn't confirm with their findings it would have been recorded in their notes to which you would have been given a case number that you would then have to declare on your insurance accident claim form as supporting Police evidence along with any other witnesses. The evidence would have then decided who was the guilty party and in this instance, the facts would have been that although you were entering the main carriageway and had to give priority to other traffic, the other driver was not visible due to not displaying headlights in wet weather and restricted visibility as required by law.
..after some 40 ish years of driving the answer to the OP question is quite obvious. Around 50% of motorists are stupid, inconsiderate and lacking in good driving skills. This includes the joker who has parked his car across my drive this morning. He just could not see this wider than average driveway or give consideration to the potential need for the owner to want to get his car out. Hey ho.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 07/5/2012
Wish folk would realise that side lights are for parking not for using when it's pelting down with rain.
I thought those were "twilights"
Thats the only time people seem to use them round me.
And how many people know when to use parking lights??
they cant get headlights/foglight/indicators right
Quote:
Has anyone else noticed the decrease in the use of direction indicators over the years?
That's 'cos they don't fit them on BMWs or Audis anymore. They think the bright shiny blue headlights will do instead - so you look in the mirror and think it's a blue light vehicle coming and move over to let them pass.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Well i never realised driving standards were so bad until i started towing a caravan. We have for the last 4 years towed considerable distances on the UK roads.motorways and yet find it unbelievable that people when joining a motorway seem not to notice a large white box pulled by a big black car with lights on travelling at 55-60 mph, meaning evasive manoeuvres, or a quick deceleration in speed. I have always travelled with lights on, as most cars i have had have this as an auto option (volvo's).
For me its lights on when towing, and fogs when foggy.
Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 08/5/2012
How many people still know how to do hand signals?
Plenty, give the number of times I've seen motorists give each other "the finger!"
------------- Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.
Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 07/5/2012
Wish folk would realise that side lights are for parking not for using when it's pelting down with rain.
A vehicle with sidelights on isn't any more visible in bad weather conditions than one with no lights on.
Dipped headlights are what's needed. General rule of thumb - if you need your wipers on you need dipped headlights on.
I agree about the fog lights too, should be switched off if visibility improves.
What I really don't get are the fog lights & sidelights combo - why not just use headlights?
So if fog lights are not for use in the rain and side lights are for parking and not for driving, what do you suggest one has on the rear of the car?
Just to go one further - as you leave the M40 to Join the M42 N. You enter the M42 on to the middle lane and at about 55mph you can become a bit of a nuisance. So I tend to get across to the LH lane as soon as possible. As I tried to do that with signalling white van man blasted. He gave that shaking fist to signal that he is putting vinegar on his chips as he undertook me doing 70+ and he didnt have his lights on. Mind you I think that junction was a bad design.
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with a limited inventory