Distracted driving

Yep, it struck me as a bit of
Yep, it struck me as a bit of lazy journalism too. But I agree with the belief that wearing headphones while driving, cycling, jogging or even walking from here to there poses a risk. I’ve had two close calls with iPod wearers in the last few months, one a jogger and one a pedestrian. Both stepped out into the roadway without looking. Luckily I saw them in time and anticipated that they would do so and was on the brakes even as they stepped out. But I can’t guarantee I’d be that on the ball every time and nor can any other road user. One of the times I was on my bicycle on the A3 in Clapham and the woman stepped into the cycle-lane – if I’d not anticipated her move I’d have had the choice of hitting her or swinging out into the heavy traffic. The other (more recent – this was just last week) time I was on my motorbike and let’s just say that it’s very red and noisy and she still didn’t see me until it was too late – luckily for both of us I’d practically stopped by the time she ‘woke up’.

As with bicycle helmets I think legislating iPod/MP3 use would be pointless. But I still think anyone who uses an iPod while on the move (other than as a passenger) is playing a game of Russian Roulette that certainly endangers themselves and possibly others as well.

I had a very close call with someone texting whilst driving a couple of eyars back. I saw her texting at the wheel of her Ford Escort as I overtook on my motorbike. A short distance later I stopped for a red light and was shocked when she veered around me on the inside. She was very close to me indeed and also to the vehicles now starting to move across the junction. Texting whilst driving is illegal and for a good reason. I still see plenty of people doing it though.