Near Misses?

[simonlpearce]

So since driving the Z4 M Coupe i seem to be having a lot more near misses than in previous cars. Mostly my previous cars 3 series of varying varieties which are typically a bit bigger and perhaps easier to spot.

A couple from just over the festive break over roughly a 4 week period.
- In a car park waiting to exit, 4x4 Merc decides to not use its mirrors and only stops when i sound the horn as i see reverse lights almost on my passenger seat.

- Going round a motorway island, standard procedure. Some idiot in an Astra joining the island from a dual track decides not to slow down or even look/give way to his right. Had to drop a cog and boot it and must have literally been inches from a huge impact as he continued on his way.

- Going down a single track, some dick in a Porsch decides to try overtake 4 cars at a time, were talking almost head on here at 60mph. It was close to the point where i was about to ditch it into the hedge as i figured it would hurt less. Fortunately car 2 lets the idiot in.

Have i just been unlucky or are these cars hard to spot and/or people just don't expect them to be as far down the road as quickly as they expect?

 

[DPG]

I think they are hard to spot.

I've had loads of near misses in car parks from cars reversing out of spaces and not seeing me.

 

[stevo///m3]

I have a 4x4 Merc and an Astra. Wait - and a Porsche! Sorry, it was me. Just let me know when you're out an about and I'll avoid driving :driving: for an hour or so... :wink:

Joking aside, not really had any issues like this in the last year. Think it was worse when I was in a Pug 106 tbh.

Stevo

 

[simonlpearce]

Maybe its a colour thing, its the first black car i have owned, though i did have an Orient blue E46 which is near as damn black.

 

[relic222]

I've had quite a few of these incidents since owning the car too. My sister in law owns a Land Cruiser and apparently I disappear completely when driving behind her. The Z4 is pretty low so it could well be a case of people looking over the top of you. Saying that, I don't think the head on incident you had could be blamed on height, that was just careless driving.

 

[RedLine]

I suspect that they zed's harder to see, because they are lower, but then, I've had a number of near misses in my silver freelander with headlights ablaze, two were cars pulling out of a junction into a 60mph road - don't give a toss if anyone is coming at them. No comprehension that 2 tonnes of car will make a right mess of them when it hits.
I now use a dash cam to record the inevitable incident when it happens. You can't legislate against those who simply don't look when reversing either. Three times in the last week I've stopped when walking the dog because I can see a car reversing out of the drive and the driver simply doesn't look to see if there's any pedestrians there. People don't take time to care. It's 100% defensive driving (and walking) out there - be careful!

 

[thepits]

People don't take time to care. It's 100% defensive driving (and walking) out there - be careful!

+1

And never trust a driver with a hat on! :!:

Cap = too young
Trilby = too old

:rofl: :driving:

 

[RedLine]

Those with caps and that feel the need to lean against the drivers door for support - clearly not in control of their own bodies never mind the car. Very wide berth advised!

 

[bluestreak56]

I think the size and shape definitely adds to it. I havnt had any issues as such but I think time of year probably has a factor in your experiences also..

 

[JayEmm]

Combination of bad luck, time of year, general poor standard of driving and a small/dark coloured car all contribute I think.

I know my Dad was terrified when he took his old 328 GTS to the lake district - lot of stone walls that dwarf a low car, but wouldn't hide most things. So an oncoming motorcyclist/sporty driver might think the way was clear when it isn't

 

[Bumpy]

It's a colour thing.
Black cars are harder to see, compared to lighter.
That's been my experience.
No accidents with the Honda Van or the white Zed.
Black Malibu has been rear ended 3 times.

 

[buzyg]

Much as I love all the colour theories and mystic tales I recon it's just a sequence of meeting dim witts, on the road. I can't say I've had any near misses in the Zed. Just one unknown retard, in a Tesco's car park whilst I was in the store.

 

[ronk]

People often just don't look!

Plus we all make mistakes at times.

 

[thepits]

Plus we all make mistakes at times.

No we don't! We men are all perfect

:rofl:

 

[obewan]

I know my Dad was terrified when he took his old 328 GTS to the lake district - lot of stone walls that dwarf a low car, but wouldn't hide most things. So an oncoming motorcyclist/sporty driver might think the way was clear when it isn't

Living close by I can concur - I stick to the main roads where I can

Seem to be plagued with oncoming drivers not giving way when they have parked cars on their side of the road at the moment
Whether in my wife's car or the Zed :thumbsdown:

 

[Bing]

I know my Dad was terrified when he took his old 328 GTS to the lake district - lot of stone walls that dwarf a low car, but wouldn't hide most things. So an oncoming motorcyclist/sporty driver might think the way was clear when it isn't

Living close by I can concur - I stick to the main roads where I can

Seem to be plagued with oncoming drivers not giving way when they have parked cars on their side of the road at the moment
Whether in my wife's car or the Zed :thumbsdown:

Ah, School Run Chicken, a new game for parents in a hurry who are clearly more important than everyone else. Sorry, my mistake :roll:

 

[thepits]

Seem to be plagued with oncoming drivers not giving way when they have parked cars on their side of the road at the moment
Whether in my wife's car or the Zed :thumbsdown:

Living in the town, in a student area :evil: I have the same issue, and this afternoon on the way home I was meet by two vehicles.

The first found a space to let me through, the second sat there, until realising I wasn't going [as I couldn't go] anywhere, and eventually backed up into a space ... ish.

On my suggestion :wink: he did a slightly better job of it so I had a fighting chance of passing between him and the parked cars on the NS - I only just clipped the NS car mirror, honest guv :roll:

No damage to my Z4, the "parked" car? WGAF! Mirrors fold in don't they? :rofl:

:driving:

 

[ronk]

The "fell" road past Sellafield at shift change is a nightmare if you are travelling in the opposite direction!
I've never experienced anything else like it in my life!

 

[thepits]

The "fell" road past Sellafield at shift change is a nightmare if you are travelling in the opposite direction!
I've never experienced anything else like it in my life!

OT - I notice you're in Durham ... that's where the Pink Panther comes from. :wink:

 

[MrPT]

This is why it's important to have straight through pipes to announce your presence.