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RE: Ignorant drivers

Black Dog — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:48:10 GMT

Aye, what they call a "learning experience".

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:56:49 GMT

DWDCA... "Driving Without Due Care and Attention" I assume.

Yeah, he's fine and so's the bike. Bit scary though. shame he didn't get the plate however, like you say, he could've gone to jail or even have to pay compensation (I don't know, if you're a good lawyer I'm sure you'd find something, traumatic experiance or something)

Oh well, it's over now, nothing more can be done.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Black Dog — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:13:50 GMT

A couple of points there:

1. Your Dad was probably in the wrong for chasing and trying to confront the guy, but we've all done that at some point - it's not a hanging offence.

2. However, deliberately aiming a motor vehicle at another person most certainly is. You had witnesses - I would have taken his number and gone straight to the police. If someone runs into the back of another road user, unless there are exceptional circumstances, it's that person's fault. Twice, and it starts looking deliberate rather than accidental. The car driver wouldn't have had a leg to stand on. DWDCA for the slice-up of the two bikers and the FIRST rear-ender, DD for the SECOND rear-ender and the attempt on your father's life by running him over. A good lawyer would have him off the road for years, and possibly in prison.

3. No riding method, however "advanced" can account for a homicidal cager - that's probably in the 1% I mentioned earlier.

Glad everyone is OK, though.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:25:12 GMT

Well, when you put it like that....

Again, excellent words of wisdom! I guess my experience hasn't built up to such a high degree. Though I like to think I'm taking all the necessary precautions, there are still a lot of things I need to learn.

One thing I'm getting better at though.... judging when a car isn't indicationg but isn't going straight over the roundabout. It happens pretty much everyday now and you just need to look at the driver to know where he's going.

Seeing as this is the Ignorant Drivers thread, can I put up a rant about deliberate, dangerous

SUN wasn't the greatest weather for a ride out but we did one anyway. My Dad and 3 other riders and me. We had a small ride around the area with a guy who wanted a go on a Goldwing. So we took him round, dropped him off and proceeded to Box Hill to meet up with some fellow bikers. On the way my Dad was cut up by an arrogant prick who couldn't be bothered to stay behind him. The car driver then over takes our female rider, nearly hitting her front wheel as he comes back in and causing her to swerve. Next up is a lad on a 125 (same bike as me), again, he cuts him up with no regard for anyones safety. I'm after that but I'd already passed the roundabout and turned off. Dad, being at the back, sees all this and charges up after him to have a word. He passes him, moves infront as the approach a junction and BANG!, he hits my Dad. He actually rear ended him, deliberately. Dad didn't slam on his brakes, he was just approaching a Roundabout and needed to slow. Dad held it but now he's pi$$ed. I mean, you would be too. Being cut up, seeing a learner and a female rider nearly taken off by the same car then being shunted I think anyone would be. So he stops. Now there's cause for details to be swapped, two vehicles have collided and there could be damage to either one. Just as he stops... BANG, he's hit again. Well, you can imagine how f**ked off he is now. He gets off to have a word and the car speeds up and aims for him! AIMS for him! I couldn't believe it!

Anyways, everyone was ok, no injuries done but it makes my think. What if Dad had come off? Or any of our other riders? Woud he have stopped? I doubt it. My Dad could've come off, been hit by the same car or something and I'd be fatherless, all because some **** didn't want to wait behind patiently.

God it makes me angry.

Now I'm not saying my Dad was right, he probably wasn't. Road rage isn't something anyone enjoys or any good can come from. But I can see why he tried to slow him down and have a word. I would've done (probably get that streek form him actually!)

Anyway, rant over.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Black Dog — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:26:11 GMT

Mazz (08/02/2007)

I see your point and completely agree with you but what I meant was even if you ride defensively, predict all the possible out comes, judge distances correctly and so on... if you're passing a car on the outside lane and it just pulls out without warning (for example it was sitting behind a Middle Lane Hogger and getting pissed off so he just pulls out with out thinking) and side swipes you. I don't think there is any amount of practice you can have for a situation like that... is there?

I would say yes. It's not so much what you do when someone pulls out; it's what you are doing in the 10 minutes beforehand.

Scenario: you are on a dual carriageway in lane 3 doing your legal 70, passing a line of cars in lane 2 doing 60. Position: you are as far to the right of your lane as is consistent with safety (bearing in mind debris from the centre reservation), as this gives you the maximum clearance from what is always going to be a potential hazard. Observation: you are watching the cars as you pass them, especially the drivers' head and hand movements which could indicate a decision to pull out. Traffic sense: if you see a situation developing where the following cars might be getting frustrated and possibly wanting to pull out, take extra care, slow down a bit, be prepared for the unexpected.[1] Speed and gear: you are travelling at a speed which gets you past traffic without undue delay, while not creating extra danger by going too fast (any relative speed of +/- 30mph when the vehicles are 6ft apart is lunatic in my book); you are in a gear that gives you the control and power to shut off or accelerate quickly to get out of any dangerous situation developing. Machine control: your hands are on the grips and near enough the levers to brake/clutch in a nanosecond should that be necessary, and you have been riding long enough not to panic if you need to pull some emergency braking in such a situation. Plus a little old-fashioned experience - I find now that I can tell when a car is about to pull out before the driver moves a muscle. It feels like instinct, but it is probably just years of observation and attention giving you an ability to predict. Like reading someone's body language, which it is like really. This is a skill that anyone can develop over time and as the miles pass by. You get to a point where other road users' behaviour is predictable most of the time.

Taking all of that, a) you will probably see driver's intention before the car moves into your lane and take appropriate action, and b) if he does try to crowd you out, you have the maximum distance between you (by riding well to the right) which gives you more time to make and act on a decision. In 99% of cases, this will protect you from the idiot motorist and let you ride longer and safer.

In the other 1% - well, shit happens, as you well know. The 1% is what body armour and a good helmet are for.

[1] I once saved the wife and self from a serious accident, apparently by magic (according to her) as I demostrated the ability to see through solid trees and a grass bank. Looking back, it was actually very simple: fast A-road, sweeping bends, light traffic, then no traffic coming the other way for a couple of miles (huh?), round bend comes front of tractor - the cars behind him must have been waiting ages - road from their direction is straightening out - some **** is bound to try an overtake - slow right down - yup, there he is! Lorry overtaking tractor round blind bend, taking up full width of road - if I hadn't slowed down to 40, we would have been flattened. Admission - yes, I was going too fast to start with.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:13:11 GMT

Yeah, you're right, I do ride defensively.

But like I said, I agree with your "Everyone is out to kill you" riding style. It's true to a certain extent. I think I've had more near misses in my short riding life than my 5 years of driving cars.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Black Dog — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:56:26 GMT

Mazz (07/02/2007)

With respect, no it doesn't. If you practise defensive riding (and from what you've said I think you do), then you should have seen that one coming and taken steps to avoid him, whatever idiot tricks he pulled. It all boils down to the simple rule - ride as if EVERY other road user is out to kill you in any way they can. True accidents are in fact very rare IMO - almost all "incidents" are the result of someone's negligence or poor judgement. If you ride to take account of that, you are unlikely to be caught out.

And it doesn't need to be boring, either. I used to meet a group of IAM observers for a drink once a fortnight - very serious guys, all about vanishing points and arcs of observation. We had a rideout up to mid-Wales, all round the reservoirs and through the mountains, and I have never ridden so fast and so consistently. They (and therefore I) kept to all the advanced riding rules, and Jeez when you do it right it's quick.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:39:22 GMT

You have a bike, so you can make your point in the time-honoured manner - lots of right wrist, dump the clutch, and leave them. (If it's a slow bike, just make sure you are in heavy traffic. )

Mine's slow in comparison... I''ll wait for the heavy traffic me thinks!

I just annoys the hell outta me you know. You can be the most defensive rider, take every single training course out there, go to race schools and pass with flying colours the whole lot... it just takes that one snot nosed teenager that passed his test 2 days ago and is hairing around with is mates to pull out on you and *BANG*. No amount of dusting down will convince your spirit to stop messing around, loose the wings and put the harp down and get back down here where it should be.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Black Dog — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 10:40:15 GMT

Another point, regarding the fact is was a suit in an A4: respectability of car and dress is no guarantee of respectable behaviour - ask any "working girl".

I was thoroughly razzed by a man in a BMW a few nights ago. I'd followed him for about 5 miles down a B-road, had a few chances to overtake but he was travelling at a reasonable pace so I stayed behind him. We get to town and line up at some traffic lights leading onto a roundabout. Loads of space at the front of the lane, so I mosey alongside him ready for a quick sprint to the next lights. As soon as the lights go to amber, he revs it like fun and we're neck and neck going for one lane at the exit. Being as it was a roundabout, and wet, and evening rush hour, I gave in and let him through. Why risk everything for a c**t? He had a suit too - I think there's something about being a middle-ranking rep driving a middle-ranking car that makes some guys think they are heroes. As we all know, real heoes don't need to prove it. One of the positives about being - er - older is that you stop feeling the need to right every wrong and avenge every insult. I would hate to break my bike, knee, back or head on account of teaching some twat a "lesson".

Anyway, I creamed him about 200 yards later, when he got temporarily stuck behind a council lorry.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Black Dog — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 10:20:52 GMT

Mazz (09/01/2007)

I was so furious I followed him back to his house, hell bent on giving him a damn good talking to... I didn't. I followed him for a little bit but gave up, knowing it probably won't sink in. Would I have been right to have followed him and spoken to him? I'm no Police officer, just someone who cares for his safety and others around me. What if he does it to a someone else and they panic and loose it? I would put money on the fact he wouldn't've stopped to help.

I have done this a couple of times in the past. Once when I was following a van and a fag end flew out of the driver's window and hit me in the face (light rain, visor half up), and once when I had my leg whipped by a loose length of wheelarch trim from a rusty old Midget. In both cases I was on a bike that could easily catch the offending car, and in both cases I wish I hadn't bothered. The first one I caught up with to discover the cab full of large hairy-****d builder types, so I gave them a "stare" and legged it. The second one was driven by a very attractive lady who I would cheerfully have chatted to for a few minutes, but her boyfriend in the passenger seat became highly abusive when I pointed out that the car was in an unroadworthy condition and needed a visit to a "proper" mechanic. The ratio of stress to useful outcome was very low in either case.

You have a bike, so you can make your point in the time-honoured manner - lots of right wrist, dump the clutch, and leave them. (If it's a slow bike, just make sure you are in heavy traffic. )

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:56:34 GMT

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the new mini... mainly because it's hardly mini anymore. That's the whole point of calling it a Mini... because it was!

I had to go to the official 'Mini' website the other day (I have a good job) but got sidetracked by the 'Build your own Mini!' bit. Like most people I did. I splashed out on everything, MP3 player, sat nav, heated seats, go faster stripes the lot.

£27,000!!!!! That's more than a sodding Audi! Hardly seems worth having a Mini for that money when you could get a fairly decent car and have money left over for CBR 6RR or what bike you fancy really!

RE: Ignorant drivers

Number 6 — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:20:49 GMT

A million Audis, mostly bought by people taken in by the company's television advertising campaign of a year or so ago. You know the one; it waffled on about how those choosing its products would somehow be imbued with an air of mystique and not a little exclusivity. Not like those greedy arbiters of poor taste driving their BMWs. What will Audi do next to advertise its overpriced mechanical miscellany? A million Audi drivers can't be wrong I expect. Advertising, eh? What a fickle, nasty little industry. And have you noticed how many of the new so-called 'Minis' there seem to be?

RE: Ignorant drivers

bignose — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:25:18 GMT

There appear to be more Audi's on the road than Volvo's these days.

RE: Ignorant drivers

yukfoo — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 09:19:27 GMT

Quote

And this wasn't just some teenager that's just passed, this was an Audi A4 with a bloke in a suit driving.

What a surprise!

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:44:32 GMT

Something very interesting for you all....

the other night I was watching Police Camera Action (all cars in the show btw) and it showed a car in the middle lane, with a clear inside lane, not moving over. The police car pulled in behind it and started to flash it's lights, trying to get the sod over, but no. They stayed put until eventually the Cop put on his lights and pulled him over.

It is illegal to stay in the middle or outside lane if the one inside you is clear. It can lead to having your license revoked apparently. So there you have it. Next time your on the motorway and you see the Middle Lane Hoggers out and about just remind yourself that what their doing is actually illegal!

RE: Ignorant drivers

white pan man — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:07:33 GMT

And you can bet your life if just one driver showed brake lights, then there would be a concertina effect, with the ones 10 cars back all braking wildly and eventually running into each other. You meanwhile would have been safe in your lane to yourself - well done.

Listen, if the Merrycans can make overtaking in ANY lane work, then surely we must be able to.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Black Dog — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:34:39 GMT

Lemmings. All lemmings.

I try very hard to have good lane discipline, and as the Highway Code recommends, return to lane 1 after overtaking. The last thing I want is to become a member of the MLOC (middle lane owners' club). And I try very hard not to undertake anyone, because it's illegal and unexpected and could cause an accident.

But I tell you what. I did a long motorway journey the other day and there I was in lane 3 trying to get past traffic rumbling along at 55mph, when I realised that lanes 1 and 2 were empty as far as the eye could see - ALL the traffic was in lane 3. (To be fair to the MLOC, this is probably because if you move to lane 1 as the Highway Code advises, no b*gger will let you back out again.) So I pulled over into lane 1 (with a clear lane 2 between me and the other traffic) and I must have passed 100 cars smoothly and safely before neatly taking a gap and passing the lorry we were all waiting behind. I was in a diesel Megane estate (company car, honest), and I sailed past Porsches, Mercs, Jags and even an Aston. All queueing at 55mph in lane 3.

No doubt if a dibble had seen me I would have been pulled, but to me it was the only sensible response. We hear all the time about congestion - well here was a motorway where for a space of approx 2 miles, only 1/3 of the road was actually being used. Double the capacity of the motorway network overnight? Teach people proper lane discipline.

Keep it smooth, progressive and safe, but take all the opportunities you can to get through and hang the idiots who follow the car in front "because it's there".

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 12:58:47 GMT

Hello and welcome to the forums!

I had this through on an E-mail from a friend of mine last year so I've already expressed my displeasure to Mr Blair and his gang.

I completely agree with what you've said too. It's disgusting to think that the Government want to tax us AGAIN for driving!

You said about the tracker thing that records your speed etc. Well, you go above the speed limit, you'll have a fine through your door saying you were 1mph over the limit. Pass through a speed camera too... guess what... another fine!!!! Do you think it'll be a double fine with double points or will they take our hard earned cash and pay the sods that the put the damn things in, to take them away again?

RE: Ignorant drivers

bignose — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:03:59 GMT

Greetings Maz and other UKBikers out there.

Not really a reply to rabid Audi drivers out there, but on the subject of roads.....

I've just received an e-mail urging me to sign up for a petition to thwart the governments proposed road pricing scheme with associated tracking devices to be introduced. I urge you all to sign up and let the grey men know of our displeasure. (I am assuming it is just as disagreeable to you as myself).

I thought we had already paid for existing roads and the upkeep (I say upkeep but the parlous state of some of the roads out there make you wonder) via the Road fund license or have I missed something?

If they wanna build new roads or contract them out to the private sector then fine, charge on them when they are built in the form of a toll like most of Europe.To charge us again for what we already have and paid for over the preceeding decades seems like a twisted and sickening scheme to double tax us hatched in the appropriate ministry of Airstrip one capital.

Also as far as I am aware the majority of the cost of fuel is tax, where does all this revenue go? Roadside revenue earners also nab the unwary amongst us in terms of constant surveillance in generally the unlikliest of places, does this go towrds the upkeep of the roads? I doubt it. It probably swells the coffers of the local boys in blue or the council to waste on commitee meetings, large lunches and corporate cars as well as breeding more of the same, proliferating the money earnt which you would think would be channelled towards improving road safety etc.

And tracking devices what the fu*k is that all about, surely it should be an opt in and not a mandatory device. Very soon these remote tracking devices will be sending us bills for mileage covered (in addition to the petrol tax we consume on mileage covered) and at any point in time our speed can be reviewed and probably a fine imposed and stuffed through your letter box ad hoc.

Where are the roads to freedom? I urge everyone to sign the petition that will curb the government and their think tanks from imposing this dystopian misery upon us. Do it here http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/traveltax/

Bloody people think they know what's good for us without asking first. Growl!

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:12:58 GMT

Here's another one for you...

On my way home yesterday I was overtaken by a a rather inpatient driver. He over took me on a roundabout when we were both going for the same exit. He gunned it, threw it down my inside and cut straight across in front of me, narrowly avoiding the center Island. I was fuming! What if I'd've had to swerve to avoid something? Or, it being a particaularly wet day yesterday, I had come off? I wouldn't have stood a chance.

And this wasn't just some teenager that's just passed, this was an Audi A4 with a bloke in a suit driving. It was dark, but that's how sodding close he was to me. To make it worse, he got about another 20 meters in front of me because a car was just ahead of me.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:02:14 GMT

I'll tell you what, I'f you can keep calm out there on the roads, publish a book and get lots of money.

There isn't a day that goes past that I'll scream at some idiotic prepubescent driver with acne for not indicating. Sounds soooo pedantic I know but those little orange flashing bulbs can save my life, and yours. How many times have you been sitting at a roundabout, looking for the gap to move out into. Round the corner comes a car with no indication. I followed a lorry home from work before Christmas, he nearly smashed into a car because they thought he was going to turn off before them... he didn't. He bimbled around and very nearly took the front end off a car. The little dear driving (another rant about old people later) was shocked! (I was shocked she stopped in time!) Use your indicators... so simple it hurts!

Old people... now I'm not sure on the general age of poeple on the forum but I'm assuming that most of us, if not all, are under 70. Now, I'm not saying at 70 you should stop driving, don't get me wrong here, but I feel older citizens should be made to retake thier test or take a freshers course or something so that way we can be sure that they know what they're doing!!

Mobile Phones..... Death to anyone I see talking on one of those things whilst driving! Especially if they nearly take me off! Nearly happened once, the guy mouthed sorry (as I flipped him the bird) and pi$$ed off.

Grr.... You could be the safest, momst defensive and placid driver in the world but one mistake by someone else could see you in the central reservation on the M25 at 70mph and WHAM... game over.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Number 6 — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:19:00 GMT

Learn to chill? It's a battle zone out there, old boy, and the price for a serious lapse in defensive riding/driving is too steep for me. Are you seriously saying you can and do tolerate any form of motoring transgression?

Bimbling along admiring butterflies/rare hedgerow creatures is all well and good if you're in walking mode, but not when you're in charge of a potentially lethal weapon. Anyone that seeks to encroach on my space (yes, my space), whether deliberately or through lack of concentration, deserves flak (note extended war metaphor here). Don't try and defend the indefensible - unless of course you exist in some karmic state and know what lies ahead.

RE: Ignorant drivers

white pan man — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 20:21:12 GMT

Will you two guys PM me when you're going out, so I can be nowhere near either of you.
You don't own the road, and other road users are not there simply to get out of your way.
We all pay to use the road. It ain't perfect but it's the best we're gonna get. Unless you know different.......!

Learn to chill, both of ya's.....

RE: Ignorant drivers

roadhoover — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 11:30:02 GMT

Excellent I am not alone, a kindred spirit, despite the bikeless decade.

Lorries. Stick the bloody freight in a re-invested railway system, get the pool of out of work lorry drivers to re-train working for the railway, less congestion straight away.thus more room on the roads for us. Caravans make them drive at night. Bikers have priority in the fast lane, er I mean overtaking lane.And another thing, camera's in the wrong place, kerching revenue earners. Outside schools, hospitals etc good thing I agree but halfway down a dual cariageway which has no turn offs or pedestrian area's what's that all about?

Harrumph!

Very true, tyres do not lie!

RE: Ignorant drivers

Number 6 — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 10:59:49 GMT

On the subject of traffic induced rage:

The endless and irritating procession of cars, vans, lorries, caravans, motorhomes, buses, taxis, Volvo XC90 drivers (what is the point of an XC90, huh?) is all a goddamn plot to upset my normally tranquil demeanour. They force me into making manouvres I don't want to make, and generally impede my progress. They destroy what little motoring satisfaction there is left to be had in my over-crowded, poorly maintained and ultimately dangerous little corner of the South East.

But it's not only morons in slower vehicles occupying the middle or outside lanes of dual-carriageways and motorways that upset me (surprise, surprise). It could be just about any vehicle occupying any space in close proximity to where I happen to be that makes my blood boil.

Drivers moving too slowly; drivers pulling up too fast at junctions that I am approaching; drivers tailgating me when I am in no position to move out the way; drivers with fog lights on (can you honestly think of a time when you really need them - even over the past few days?); drivers that leave fog lights on, long after the air has cleared; oncoming drivers that swerve towards me because they've dropped the CD case for whatever sterile strain of processed pap they happen to be listening to; drivers that think it's okay to guzzle a skinful of ale before taking to the roads (go on - argue it's okay, you rowdy rebels who don't care about the rules. On a bike you're more likely to do yourself in, but is that okay? Is that okay for the people who have to clear up the mess? Is that okay for your family? Hmm? Don't feckin' do it. It's simple.); drivers of veeeery sloooow vehicles (tractors etc) that cause a massive tailback and still don't pull over; oh the list is almost endless; drivers with red noses on their cars; drivers with 'baby on board' stickers; drivers with any variation on this theme - Princess, Little Terrors, Bebe a bord (feckin' pretentious, or what?) - the list just keeps on growing on a daily basis. And it makes me cross.

By the way, I haven't ridden a bike for about a decade, having done so for many years, in all conditions, in numerous countries, with the throttle nailed to full opposite lock most of the time and the scars/arthritic knees etc to prove it. I now drive a Suzuki Ignis Sport - you know, the JWRC-based rally car lookalike that screams pikey, but is really the cheapest, most fun tool for scratching down the lanes that isn't a bike, if only the other feckers on the road would let me enjoy it.

Rant over. For now. Anyone disagree - with anything?

RE: Ignorant drivers

roadhoover — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:00:42 GMT

I think if only they knew how quick and manouverable a bike is they would geddout of the way, but like you say its all so processional no one wants to give any ground. The best you usually get is a slight veer to the left but remaining in the overtaking lane, not good enough in my book, they should shift lanes completely.

RE: Ignorant drivers

white pan man — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 17:46:20 GMT

Your first word in the post says it all - IGNORANT.

The average car driver thought processes go something like this...

"If I get into this 'fast' lane, I'll get there quicker. Outta my way a$$hole...!"
"If I move over for this clown behind me, I'll be stuck in this 'slow' lane for ever"

And so on ad finitum. Add your own.

RE: Ignorant drivers

Mazz — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:37:23 GMT

I share your anger!

I too drive cars and I was taught your natural driving position is on the left side of the road. Why on earth some 'tin box pilots' think it's better to slow everybody down by driving on the right is beyond me.

You know what else grinds my gears.... middle lane hoggers. That pi$$es me off even more! Riding a 125 means a very limited power range so when I approach a car doing 50mph in the middle lane and won't move over, I have to skip to the outside to go around them. Having a max speed of about 60, and not much in the way of acceleration means it's bloody dangerous! So sod it, I'll undertake them. Personally I don't care if it's against the law, it'll be dangerous for me to do anything else.

Ignorant drivers

roadhoover — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:56:20 GMT

Do I live in France? Am I riding on the wrong side of the road unwittingly and am just fortunate not to have been nicked yet?

No I'm bloody not. Why do the majority of the tin box pilots on the road drive on the right whilst travelling on dual carraigeways when the left hand lane is completely empty? The other day I had to undertake just under a mile of traffic because they just would not get out the way. I realise it's illegal and am not boasting about it but the drivers in front of me knew I was there because I saw them checking their mirrors. But would they move, would they bollox!

I drive a car and Im always checking my rear view mirror for approaching traffic especially fast moving bikes and I get out of their way. Is it just a symptom of the crowded South East or does it happen where you are?