Examples:

As we turned a corner on a quiet estate an elderly lady stepped out into the road, we did an emergency stop, the lady then put up her hand and said sorry she was deaf.

When she reached the other side of the road she turned and said that she still should look.

Several children were playing with a ball near a junction, as we emerged turning left the ball bounced in front of the car, the child followed; we did an emergency stop! everyone was safe.

We then parked up to discuss the situation, the pupil and I watched as the children did the same thing to four different cars.

The moral to the story:

 Expect the unexpected, be ready to stop, prepare for the worst, because it is a game to the pedestrians, we need to win the game to avoid an accident. Sound the horn if needed.

Examples: 

We were about to park up after a queue of taxis at Burnley bus station, two ladies appeared at the front of the taxis, the pupil stopped and waved them out, and as they started to cross the road a bus overtook us! Lesson learned.

Awhile ago we were driving along a dual carriageway towards a roundabout, a car stopped in the queue in the right lane, as we moved forward in the left lane, a pedestrian walked out into our lane from the front of the car in the right lane!

If you are waiting in a queue of traffic or at a junction it is ok to wait to see if pedestrians are going to cross, the decision to cross has to be the pedestrians choice. If you stop in the road where there is no queue you are inviting them to cross and potentially putting them in danger from other traffic.

The only exception is small children who are already in the road, as they are unpredictable and are liable to run at any moment.

Remember to look at the pedestrian so as to make eye contact, and let the pedestrian decide.

You could be next.   To book your lesson or if you need more information please contact Kenneth on 07711347466 or use the contact form.

First you need to understand “how cyclists think”

Most cyclists don’t think they just do whatever comes into their mind at the time!

As the winter closes in there are going to be more cyclists on the roads especially on dark nights. Most cyclists do not have lights for some reason or other which I do not understand.

 The Main Challenges with Cyclists are:

• What are they going to do next?
• Overtaking them safely.

 The main thing about cyclists is that they are unpredictable. Once we know that it is easier to deal with them effectively, expect the unexpected.

Examples:

 The pupil had just set off from outside her house, there was a small child on a bicycle on the pavement, as the child cycled along there were a couple of pedestrians just ahead of her. She then cycled off the kerb and jumped off the bicycle right in front of our car, as we were only going slowly we stopped very quickly. She was quite upset with the situation.

A pupil who had only had a few lessons was driving on a small housing estate. When we were stopped, a boy on a bicycle circled us going on and off the pavement and into the road and back onto the pavement. We set off and were just coming up to overtake a parked car, when the cyclist overtook us on the left and turned across the front of the car startling the pupil.

Overtaking them safely

 The main thing is to plan things in advance. Where is a good place to overtake them? The best places to overtake them are: at a wide section of the road, just after parked cars, before they get close to parked cars.

Where they are in groups and or riding side by side it is more challenging, so it is vital to pick your place carefully, even if you have to wait a while. Give them lots of room!

Example

A pupil was going down Manchester Road in Burnley approaching the bends past the cinema towards the roundabout, we were following a cyclist who was doing about 30mph, the pupil decided to speed up to try and overtake them round the bends before we reached the roundabout. Kenneth had to intervene, when questioned about what he was trying to do he said; “You didn’t expect me to wait behind him” Kenneth replied it was not possible to get past him before the roundabout without crashing.

A pupil was approaching a cyclist on a main road there was a lot of oncoming traffic so it was not safe at that point to overtake them, she slowed down and pulled in behind them about two metres from his back wheel! Kenneth prompted him to drop back a bit otherwise it might look like we were going to “Stalk” him all the way to Nelson?

First you need to understand “how motorcyclists think”

• Drive round for work
• Drive for pleasure

Once you know this you can be better prepared for what motorcycles are likely to do as they drive around

What are motorcycles likely to do on a regular basis?

• Drive quickly
• Weave in between traffic queues
• Use their speed to overtake in tight situations
• Ride around in groups at weekends
• Take little notice of road markings

Simple solutions:

1. Always take control of situations
2. Allow motorcycles more space and time; they may suddenly turn or straddle lanes at roundabouts
3. Always ask “What if?” (What if the motorcycle moves away quickly, changes direction or decides to overtake you or the oncoming traffic etc.)

Remember the golden rule; wait if you are unsure

First you need to understand “what the job description for a HGV is”

• Drive round and deliver their load
• Stick to a timetable
• Pick up and drop off goods

Once you know this you can be better prepared for what HGVs are likely to do as thye drive round their route.

What are HGVs likely to do on a regular basis?

• Pull in and move away frequently
• Park at an angle or away from the kerb
• Have to reverse or manoeuvre on busy roads
• Have to wait more often because of their size
• Signal and just move away or pull in
• Use their size to gain priority

Simple solutions:

1. Always take control of situations
2. Allow HGVs more space and time; they may swing out to turn left or straddle lanes at roundabouts
3. If an HGV is parked; plan to carry on and overtake providing it is safe (MSM)
4. Always ask “What if?” (What if the HGV moves away, the driver jumps out of his cab etc.)

Remember the golden rule; wait if you are unsure

The main thing is to remember that cyclists do not think that the rules apply to them.

Once you your recognise that fact, everything is easier.

When you expect cyclists to do what is opposite of what makes sense then you are better prepared to deal effectively with whatever they do.

A few typical examples.

• Going through red traffic lights is the norm
• Leaping off pavements is also one of their favourite tricks
• Pulling wheelies as they approach you on your side of the road is also common
• Cycling in the dark with no lights on seems to be the rule
• Making it difficult for learner drivers seems to be a “Sport” for some

So to summarise:

Expect the unexpected and always have a “Plan B”

Always be ready for them to do something quite dangerous, and as always keep calm and treat it as a learning experience!

Remember to be aware of the tell tale signs such as looking round can be a sign that they may be going to change direction shortly.

Allowing yourself more space and time are essential when dealing with cyclists, that way you have more space and time to take action.

let me know of your experiences with cyclists.

In general the mind likes to follow a pattern, structure or a way of thinking, if you look at the things you do every day there will be patterns to your activities day in day out, like getting up in a morning, organising breakfast etc.

What systems do you use in your everyday lives that work for you?

Using systems consistently will develop into routines and then into habits following onto becoming part of how we think and act, sometimes called second nature.

What new habits do you want to develop?

Next you need a driving licence.

Finding a driving instructor to suit you.

Booking you first driving lesson; a time that suits you both.

Taking your first lesson; you need both parts of your driving licence and the money to pay for the lesson.

What to expect on your first lesson

An introduction from the driving instructor.

Checking the details on your driving licence.

Checking your eyesight is legal at 20 metres for the new style number plates.

Asking the reasons you want to drive a car.

Asking what previous driving experience you may have.

Depending on your level of knowledge, explaining what the process is with learning to drive, the car controls etc.

Asking what you would like to achieve by the end of the lesson, setting some goals.

Driving from a suitable place that matches your level of skill & experience.

Dependent on your level of skill, asking questions, prompting where required.

Asking questions and taking notes as you drive around.

After a short drive reviewing your progress and going from there.

At the end of the lesson you will be given a feedback on the lesson, covering all areas of the lesson, setting goals for future lessons.

Booking the next lesson.