Motorists vs Cyclists.... again (still there)

[Andymann]

On 3/13/2026 at 8:02 PM, Robbie Stewart said:

I was driving to work one dark, rainy morning. I was in the right lane indicating that I was changing lanes. I look in the left side mirror and just see a string of lights. It looks clear so I proceed to change into the left lane. 

Suddenly I see a hand in a glove slapping my left window. I soil my undies and then notice the motorcycle. I wind down the window to apologise to the rider who was lane splitting. He's screaming at me about nearly killing him and how blind I am for not looking. By then we've come to a stop. 

I point at my mirror and ask him to look and point out the motorcycle among the ocean of headlights shining at me in the dark and rainy gloom. 

He looked and rode off.

Years ago I was on a motorbike coming down Jim Fouche when the traffic had stopped for a red light.  I was filtering down between the stationary and on-coming cars on the LHS, when a guy who was stationary did a U-turn in front of me and I t-boned the side of his car.  I was lucky - came away with a fractured ankle, but this was still in the days of De Brolio on 94.7 advertising the Road Accident fund so I decided to claim. Took a while and it went all the way to court, and in the end it was deemed the blame was 20% my fault.  I protested to the Lawyers that filtering is perfectly legal and he said yes it is, but that doesn't mean its safe and in doing so, I had put myself in the dangerous situation in the first place.  Was quite an eye opener for me.  I still ride my bike but I don't filter unless I know there is no chance anyone can swap lanes.

[KieserJ]

Sad sad news. Rest in peace. 😞
Be safe out there guys. 

[milky4130]

3 minutes ago, Andymann said:

Years ago I was on a motorbike coming down Jim Fouche when the traffic had stopped for a red light.  I was filtering down between the stationary and on-coming cars on the LHS, when a guy who was stationary did a U-turn in front of me and I t-boned the side of his car.  I was lucky - came away with a fractured ankle, but this was still in the days of De Brolio on 94.7 advertising the Road Accident fund so I decided to claim. Took a while and it went all the way to court, and in the end it was deemed the blame was 20% my fault.  I protested to the Lawyers that filtering is perfectly legal and he said yes it is, but that doesn't mean its safe and in doing so, I had put myself in the dangerous situation in the first place.  Was quite an eye opener for me.  I still ride my bike but I don't filter unless I know there is no chance anyone can swap lanes.

I agree with that lawyer, I used to ride a motorcycle as well, for me it’s simple if it’s not in the learners license test then it’s not safe & I used to lane split on the N1 into town all the time. Vehicles switch lanes all the time, sometimes very sudden to grab that gap before the next motorists can block their move and if you connect the back or side it can be fatal regardless of the speed.

[WaynejG]

Until they bring back hangings in the town square at noon, this type of behavior will continue and sadly increase.

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, Andymann said:

Years ago I was on a motorbike coming down Jim Fouche when the traffic had stopped for a red light.  I was filtering down between the stationary and on-coming cars on the LHS, when a guy who was stationary did a U-turn in front of me and I t-boned the side of his car.  I was lucky - came away with a fractured ankle, but this was still in the days of De Brolio on 94.7 advertising the Road Accident fund so I decided to claim. Took a while and it went all the way to court, and in the end it was deemed the blame was 20% my fault.  I protested to the Lawyers that filtering is perfectly legal and he said yes it is, but that doesn't mean its safe and in doing so, I had put myself in the dangerous situation in the first place.  Was quite an eye opener for me.  I still ride my bike but I don't filter unless I know there is no chance anyone can swap lanes.

 

Also paid the "apportionment of blame"  school fees .... it is an eye opener ....

[Mamil]

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-04-28-the-most-vulnerable-road-users-are-the-least-protected-that-must-change/?dm_source=blocks-list-item&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform

PPA having something useful to to say

[Headshot]

1 hour ago, Mamil said:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-04-28-the-most-vulnerable-road-users-are-the-least-protected-that-must-change/?dm_source=blocks-list-item&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform

PPA having something useful to to say

Good article, thanks. 

[Danger Dassie]

3 hours ago, Mamil said:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-04-28-the-most-vulnerable-road-users-are-the-least-protected-that-must-change/?dm_source=blocks-list-item&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform

PPA having something useful to to say

Good salient points, and finally someone at a level citing that one of the key problems is a behavioural issue. 

PPA/BEN should team up with CSA and other bodies like athletics etal and perhaps create a "watching brief"with an appropriate legal representative, as committed to by CSA's Qondisa at SA Road Champs.
It's an issue affecting all of us. 

[DieselnDust]

54 minutes ago, Danger Dassie said:

Good salient points, and finally someone at a level citing that one of the key problems is a behavioural issue. 

PPA/BEN should team up with CSA and other bodies like athletics etal and perhaps create a "watching brief"with an appropriate legal representative, as committed to by CSA's Qondisa at SA Road Champs.
It's an issue affecting all of us. 

well it affects good drivers as well. There's just so many k*k drivers out.

we can start by sending all the illegals back where they came from. We won't miss them.

[DieselnDust]

4 hours ago, Mamil said:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-04-28-the-most-vulnerable-road-users-are-the-least-protected-that-must-change/?dm_source=blocks-list-item&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform

PPA having something useful to to say

 

as always, it is the public sector that must lead and bare the brunt of the costs of unsafe roads through raised taxes and insurance costs.

A system like Blue Dot is only effective if we have an effective DoT mandating compulsory tracker homologation and continued road worthy and emissions testing during the vehicles lifecycle. Removal of the tracker should be a criminal offence with loss of license to operate attached. this will also reduce adultery and the divorce rate

[The Ouzo]

I would take it a step further and include a breathalyser immobiliser on vehicles. Blow over the limit and the car wont start.

[DieselnDust]

16 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

I would take it a step further and include a breathalyser immobiliser on vehicles. Blow over the limit and the car wont start.

That project held promise till the French government tender was found to be corrupt. It’s been quietly dropped globally. Governments don’t like to have their tax revenues disturbed or reduced. They talk a lot but do little if the right thing impacts that revenue. 

[Paul Ruinaard]

22 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

I would take it a step further and include a breathalyser immobiliser on vehicles. Blow over the limit and the car wont start.

20 minutes and 50 bucks will get you a local chop shop that would wire it out for any taxi driver :-).

[The Ouzo]

1 minute ago, DieselnDust said:

That project held promise till the French government tender was found to be corrupt. It’s been quietly dropped globally. Governments don’t like to have their tax revenues disturbed or reduced. They talk a lot but do little if the right thing impacts that revenue. 

for sure. it can be clearly seen in the alcohol and cigarete trade.

Volvo cars used to (might still do) sell a breathalyser for their cars, but few people want that restriction.

 

I'm in the telematics space for Fleets, and installing cameras in trucks often becomes a union issue.

But the AI in these cameras has become something else, able to pick up not just distractions, but it can tell you if the driver is smoking, on the phone, having a passenger in the cab, etc. 

[Shebeen]

19 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

well it affects good drivers as well. There's just so many k*k drivers out.

we can start by sending all the illegals back where they came from. We won't miss them.

Totally disagree on this one.

 

 

Sort of related, fatal hit and run on a pedestrian and the outcome is very disturbing

https://www.capetownetc.com/news/metro-police-officer-granted-r4000-bail-after-21-year-olds-death/

[DieselnDust]

2 hours ago, Shebeen said:

Totally disagree on this one.

 

 

Sort of related, fatal hit and run on a pedestrian and the outcome is very disturbing

https://www.capetownetc.com/news/metro-police-officer-granted-r4000-bail-after-21-year-olds-death/

disagreement on their illegal status or what exactly ar ewe misaligned on.

illegal is illegal. same as drunk driving