That was exciting . . .

[mbarker]

Let me start by reminding you that I live in Japan, and we drive on the other side of the road here -- the left. And this evening I almost got a motorcycle with the left bumper of my car when he decided to go straight past on the left just as I turned that way.

See, this evening I'm driving along, and stop at a stoplight. I have my turn light blinking, since I am going to turn left. (Same as a right turn in America, except there is typically no "left turn on red" in Japan.) This is in our residential neighborhood, reasonably small roads, basic two lane roads.

The light changes, and I start to turn -- and hit the brakes because there is a flicker in my peripheral vision. And the motorcycle rider who apparently had been sitting on my left in my blind spot races on out into the intersection and straight ahead, only weaving a little as he wobbled and tilted to avoid getting clobbered.

I almost got the young fool. I suppose he didn't expect that I would start right away when the light changed -- I've noticed that a lot of people take a moment or two to react to the light changing. So when he tried to race ahead just as I turned, he almost got his deathwish.

I wonder if he'll learn not to do that, or simply curse at me for not seeing him?

Comments

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

I think that's the most frustrating part of the whole thing. I'm a reasonably careful driver, and I don't mind the motorcycles and scooters sneaking past when I'm sitting at a light -- as long as they do it while we're waiting, so that I can see them. But zipping out of (effectively) nowhere is scary.

Undertaking -- I like that word. Instead of overtaking and passing, they are undertaking me. And may end up in the undertaker's care, if they aren't a bit more careful about it.

Thanks!