This driving instructor in Orne observes dangerous behavior on the roads

A driving learning professional for around fifteen years, this Perche car-moto instructor, who prefers to remain discreet, has traveled the roads of Orne, whether municipal, departmental or national.

Enough to observe on a daily basis the sometimes dangerous actions of drivers who are at best reckless, at worst unconscious.

Pay attention to safety distances

He says it bluntly, “there could be many more accidents than there are in reality”.

What he notices most often? THE failure to respect safety distances. “The vehicles stick to each other. Cars and motorcycles are the same. And that is very dangerous. »

It is impossible in these conditions to avoid an accident in the event of unexpected braking. Every time there is fog, accidents happen. Most of the time mainly material, fortunately.

The road professional is not surprised.

Often, drivers do not adapt their pace, convinced that they know the road well. But you have to slow down when you have less visibility.

And when the lack of visibility is coupled with safety distances that are not respected, an accident is almost inevitable.

Another danger: sticking too close to the back of a truck.

“People seem impatient, eager to overtake. But if you drive too close to a truck, you have to move aside to see what's coming in front. It is then enough for the one arriving to be slightly displaced and there is a collision. »

He still remembers, very recently, between Mamers and Alençon, this driver who was visibly in too much of a hurry who overtook a truck while a car was coming in front which had to lower its mast to avoid the collision…

Cut roundabouts

“Every day I see dangerous behavior. It’s appalling,” sighs the instructor.

Of course, he is not making generalizations. But a single behavior that does not respect the Highway Code can have dramatic consequences…

There are also these pedestrians dressed in black, in the evening, who are not aware of being practically invisible. Or these unlit cyclists despite the darkness, “even in town, we see them at the last moment”.

THE cyclistsexactly. “Some people cut roundabouts without asking any questions! » Or don't pay attention to trucks' blind spots. A real danger for their safety.

When the truck turns, its trailer turns much shorter than the cab. Same with buses. The cyclist may think they are safe or visible, but this is not the case. I see cyclists in dangerous situations all the time.

He mentions prevention days during which cyclists are invited to take the place of the driver and count the number of bicycles placed around the truck. “There are always fewer of them! »

White lines

Another danger on the roads: crossing white lines“very common”. The worst: at the top of the hill, “but that doesn’t stop the most intrepid”.

Speed is another accident factor. The instructor knows it well, “drivers imagine themselves driving on a circuit, especially when they are on a nice straight line”. He is thinking in particular of the N12 between Mortagne (La Grippe exit) and Tourouvre.

There are still the flashing lights put on at the last moment which surprise, the roundabouts taken in the wrong direction…

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