Comments on: Beware of the reversing Hyundai!

By: malcolmchalmers

malcolmchalmers — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:45:33 +0000

What I like most about this post is that you took some responsibility for the incident. Too often riders seem to instantly blame the car driver when they too perhaps could have been doing better. Doing something more to make themselves more visible or being more aware of what might happen.

By: VTR250

VTR250 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:53:34 +0000

Would seem that the emphasis I placed on the situation from a legal point of view has been taken too far.

Prevention is better than a cure - YES.

As the OP commented at the end,what if it was a small child behind the vehicle?

End of the day, personal responsibility does fall on us all,more what I was referring to is that it is not always a 50/50 split on who has the greater responsibility.

And in terms of avoiding a situation and then being held legally responsible….

That doesn’t apply if all “reasonable measures” had been taken and a crash occurs.

By: bkr50

bkr50 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 06:52:30 +0000

I agree with Steve much better to not have the crash. It,s a pity though that 9 out of 10 crashes riders have could be avoided by the rider.

By: Steve McDowall

Steve McDowall — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:32:11 +0000

Yep, and I’d rather avoid being hit in the first place than have to argue over who was legally in the wrong from a hospital bed.

By: bkr50

bkr50 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:42:19 +0000

I would think twice about who is at fault legally, if you can avoid the crash and do not you can be legally held accountable.

By: VTR250

VTR250 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:53:52 +0000

Whilst I can see the “big picture” approach of the article,any person when reversing a vehicle (or motorcycle) must take all due care when reversing and the onus is on them legally to do so.

If reversing at the time of an incident involving injury and/or damage the law is crystal clear: the person reversing is 100% responsible from a legal point of view.

Positioning oneself in a better spot to be more easily seen is a wise move but at the end of the day the Hyundai owner would’ve been found 100% liable for any damages and/or injury.

By: Curley

Curley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:08:55 +0000

All good comments. Now what if you wear bright clothing, have your headlights on and are not sitting in the blind spot and they still reverse??? The fact is that people make mistakes. When I ride I set off with that clear expectation - People make mistakes. With that clear recognition, I am never surprised because that is what happens. I make mistakes. I do not intend to but I am only human. People change lanes without looking, they speed, they go too fast for the conditions - every hour of every day. You can certainly improve your odds by doing a whole range of things but the initial fact remains - people make mistakes, intentionally or not.

By: Davo

Davo — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:56:25 +0000

I’d pay to see that - guys on Harleys in pink leather.

By: Steve McDowall

Steve McDowall — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:39:42 +0000

Mmmm… interesting thought Kellie. I can imagine the Harley guys wearing pink leather jackets.

By: Kellie

Kellie — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:12:35 +0000

Maybe there’s a lot to be said for wearing bright colours. In my travels to checkout gear - thanks to the advice in “When things go horribly wrong” (Steve Mc) - I’ve seen all kinds of nice red, blue and pink jackets and things. Come on guys, I dare you