I had a bit of a fright this evening on my way home from work. Being November, it’s now dark when I leave the office, so the law requires that I utilise the lights on my car. Obviously, this is a good thing as then I can see others better and others can see me.
Anyway, I’m almost home, about to turn into my road. I indicate, see nothing coming either in front of me, or where I’m about to turn and so I continue my journey, passing from the well-lit main road to the slightly darker minor road where I live. About four metres down my road, I suddenly see a cyclist coming towards me, wearing dark clothing and without lights! A quick nudge of the wheel means I avoid him (or was it a her?)
It would seem that while I think it obvious to make myself visible to others on the road, some people do not. Had I turned a little later, the cyclist would’ve been further along the road and then possibly ended up on my bonnet. Is it too much to ask that cyclists purchase some lights given that may possibly save their lives one day? Reflectors alone aren’t good enough they require a light source and a light source may not be shining on them until it is too late. Maybe there’s a reason the law states cyclists (as well as motorists) must have lights switched on when it is dark? (Apart from which, it would save me having a heart-attack everytime something like this happens!)