just been hit by a car

[SlugLobber]

Sorry to hear about your accident, Two Sheds. The attitude of the police beggars belief, but really doesn't surprise me.

Despite your stats, I still have to disagree re: the helmet. If you think they don't offer adequate protection, then try the Troxel helmets for horse-riding. They look very similar to cycle helmets, are equally as light and score the highest in safety tests. I've landed on my head (at speeds a damn sight faster than 15mph) too many times to be complacent! I also have to disagree about the Hi-Viz, at least in rural areas. As a horse-rider and driver on leafy lanes, I know exactly what difference it makes when some prat (equestrian, cyclist OR pedestrian) is bumbling along in their dark clothes. There was also a case a few years ago in Horse and Hound, where a rider had her compensation halved due to lack of Hi-Viz, as she was deemed to have contributed to the accident by not making herself seen.

I agree with Incy about the police being wrong, but I guess you've already worked that out! Make sure you take photos of the bruising, point out to the police about the eye test thing and I would also take it further with the police/email your MP to ask why exactly the police are NOT upholding the law in your area? I'm appalled by their lack of action, I really am!

Hope you heal soon. You CAN be examined by a Doctor at any time - why would you be examined once you've healed? Or have I misunderstood that? When a prat smashed into my car (he hit another head on and bounced into me when I was waiting at a junction), I was told to visit a Doctor as soon as possible if I had any pain, to document it.

[Incy]

I remember when we had our Dutch student Linda (rip) stay with us - she could not understand our traffic laws. I think cyclists have the right of way in Holland too.

Very true.
In Holland the priority order is as follows:
1)Trams
2)Bikes
3)Pedestrians
4)cars

It can be quite scary driving a car there but it makes sense as you have more to protect you in a car than you do as a cyclist or pedestrian.

Incidentally, the police are wrong to say it's your word against his. If you had been in a car and had the same accident it would clearly have been his fault as you were going straight along a road and he was crossing oncoming traffic to turn right. It is actually irrelevant that you were on a bike not in a car as you were both road users. That means that although there may not be a case for it to go to court ( unfortunately accidents do happen) you should be able to claim for damage and injuries from his insurance company.

I do hope that you feel better soon!
Take care and plenty of long soaks in bubbly baths ( Lavender is really good for relaxing aches and pains )

[Hilary B]

My father should have given up driving long before he did, he simply couldn't see well enough. He got 'checked' by the doctor from time to time, but the doctor simply took his word for it that he was OK. It is something of a miracle that he never had any sort of mishap in those few years. He didn't drive far (mostly to the shops and back), and the car was a bright yellow mini, so I suspect all the locals saw him coming and got out of the way!

[zazen999]

A sad state of affairs T-S. That poor lass.

Beggars belief.

[Two_Sheds]

.it takes a while to get back to where you were, doesn't it? They don't think of that, when they drive without actually being able to see, do they?

We have a lot of elderly drivers here. Many of them, I believe, should not be behind a wheel.
This happened last year ... I was again biking back from the lotty and missed the carnage by 2 mins. If I'd left 5 mins earlier I could have been under his wheels too: Why was this man allowed to drive? Judge's anger over 86-year-old who maimed woman in horror smash | Mail Online

[zazen999]

I consoled myself with Maltesers and Cornettos.

I like your style.

Hope you are feeling better soon...it takes a while to get back to where you were, doesn't it? They don't think of that, when they drive without actually being able to see, do they?

[Two_Sheds]

How are you feeling, in yourself chuck? Hope you are OK with no after effects and the aching bones/limbs have eased.

The bruises are really coming out now, but they hurt less than my back and neck do. I landed on my bum bones!
I tried to walk to town y'day, but hobbled along like a nonagenarian. Got a bit weepy and weak and had to call a cab to take me back home, where I consoled myself with Maltesers and Cornettos.

Is there any CCTV at all ?

Is there ever, when you need it?

[Bagpuss]

TS that is terrible. Is there any CCTV at all ?
Hope you heal soon

[dexterdoglancashire]

I've been talking to solicitors all day, my head is fried.

But look at my stars: You might find some money matters weighing on your mind a bit though. Just try to keep an eye out for someone who can help you sort out any financial issues right now

How are you feeling, in yourself chuck? Hope you are OK with no after effects and the aching bones/limbs have eased.

[Two_Sheds]

I've been talking to solicitors all day, my head is fried.

But look at my stars: You might find some money matters weighing on your mind a bit though. Just try to keep an eye out for someone who can help you sort out any financial issues right now

[Two_Sheds]

Anyway I didn't mean to lecture you, sorry about that

yeah, we're still friends
I got a bit uppity because the first thing "everyone" has said to me is "were you wearing a helmet?"

I didn't land on my head, so it's irrelevant!
and a helmet wouldn't have prevented the crash, so it's still irrelevant!

[JILLY JACKSON]

You poor thing!!Its true what jackiej says,i have this eye test done every year and you are told NOT to drive there.Another thing is that when you have an ordinary eye test and you are diabetic,they recognise that some days your sight is better than others.Anyway i hope that you are on the mend nowand not too shaky.

[taff]

The sheer nerve of the police/insurance companies/other drivers really MAKES ME MAAAAADDDDD!!!!!
What a complete bunch of c..........!!! [not the right amount of dots]
I'm glad you're alive and not seriously injured.

[indigox]

that's your opinion and you're entitled to it.

However, a plastic helmet will only save you if the crash is under 15 mph. Above that, it is useless.

Who drives at 15 mph?

Actually a lot of accidents happen at very slow speeds, usually the driver is attempting a maneuver of some kind and will either not see or misjudge the speed of the approaching cyclist.

I'm not saying that it is in any way a failsafe way of preventing head injuries, but with the number of idiotic drivers on the road I think it is wise to use every level of protection available.

For the record my crash was at about 25-30mph (me) and the car was almost stationary (it cut me up by overtaking, then turning left immediately in front.) I went over the car and landed head first in a stony ditch on the other side of the road.
I can honestly say that it the helmet saved me from receiving a serious head injury or worse, which is why I am a firm believer in wearing one.

I am lucky that the helmet was beneficial in this particular accident, I appreciate that they do not protect in a lot of other situations.

Everyone thinks a helmet saves your life. This is not the case, and the myth needs to be busted. Instead of blaming cyclists for getting injured, we should be getting dangerous drivers off the road.

Indeed, they can be counter-productive, if the wearer and the driver both think the rider is "safe" they will both be more likely to take risks.
They are also hot, and uncomfortable (I can't even wear a beanie hat w/o getting a headache).

I absolutely agree that cyclists should not take the blame for getting injured (with the exception of the occasional dangerous cyclist) and I think a lot more needs to be done about educating drivers to be aware and drive safely.

I also find helmets a bit uncomfortable, although not as bad as a beanie, providing the fit is correct and it is worn in the right position. The newer helmets tend to have a lot more vents, so are much cooler, but in doing so they lose some of the protective element.

**Hops down off soapbox**
Anyway I didn't mean to lecture you, sorry about that, I'm genuinely glad that you are not seriously injured, and I hope it doesn't put you off cycling. I also hope that the driver will give serious thought to his suitability to continue driving in the light of his eye problem.

[Two_Sheds]

Make sure your legal adviser gets a copy of this statement as well. Even better, write it in his/her office

I have just rec'd from my solicitor, all the forms that I need to fill in, giving full statements etc.
I will send a copy of that statement to the Cop Shop.