Preventing near misses is the way forward.
As has been said, expect the unexpected and never assume the driver has seen you. I think road positioning is vital to staying safe. I look for many indications when approaching a junction, what road side furniture can I be hidden by, what vehicles are behind me, where am I in relation to their headlights (in the dark my light may be seen as one of the cars further behind me) is the sun blinding them (especially dangerous if its behind you and your lights are on) Etc etc. But for me the most important part of defensive riding is can I see his or her eyes. Simple really, if you cant see them, assume they cant see you. No matter how many times they turn their heads if you are hidden behind the A-pillar you don't exist. So I try to see the road from their perspective, move to a position where I give them the best chance of seeing me, its not perfect although it definitely helps prevent those heart stopping moments.
A couple of years ago a local lad on a Blade was killed when a driver pulled out in front of him. I didn't know him but a lad I worked with did. I asked him what happened and he said that this new driver pulled straight out of a junction. The rider was going so fast he just about cut the car in half. he was killed instantly and left this young woman with a broken neck. Sure she shouldn't have pulled out but I doubt there would be many drivers who wouldn't have made the same mistake. Sometimes, no matter how you look at it, we are in the wrong. Just not nice admitting it.
As has been said, expect the unexpected and never assume the driver has seen you. I think road positioning is vital to staying safe. I look for many indications when approaching a junction, what road side furniture can I be hidden by, what vehicles are behind me, where am I in relation to their headlights (in the dark my light may be seen as one of the cars further behind me) is the sun blinding them (especially dangerous if its behind you and your lights are on) Etc etc. But for me the most important part of defensive riding is can I see his or her eyes. Simple really, if you cant see them, assume they cant see you. No matter how many times they turn their heads if you are hidden behind the A-pillar you don't exist. So I try to see the road from their perspective, move to a position where I give them the best chance of seeing me, its not perfect although it definitely helps prevent those heart stopping moments.
A couple of years ago a local lad on a Blade was killed when a driver pulled out in front of him. I didn't know him but a lad I worked with did. I asked him what happened and he said that this new driver pulled straight out of a junction. The rider was going so fast he just about cut the car in half. he was killed instantly and left this young woman with a broken neck. Sure she shouldn't have pulled out but I doubt there would be many drivers who wouldn't have made the same mistake. Sometimes, no matter how you look at it, we are in the wrong. Just not nice admitting it.
Complete fabrication, I didn't make it up!