This one caught my eye because I have been on both sides of this. I ride a motorcycle and am constantly amazed at the people that don't leave themselves an out. They ride right up on the side of a vehicle approaching the back of another vehicle with a divider wall to the other side. A vehicle misses them in a blind spot and ends their riding. Not many people ride defensively anymore. I always love to see the guys on the highways doing wheelies at 60mph. Darwinism at its best. Gotta weed the stupid out of the gene pool.
Bicycles are a different story because they are usually being overtaken. I have very little sympathy for the people that filter to the front of a light, then expect cars to switch lanes to go around them. The next town over from me, the large local bike shop quit doing rides when a pack of over 30 bikes were pulled over and riders issued tickets for riding more than 2 abreast. (local law) There were neighborhood complaints of 2 lane country roads and bikers five across where noone could pass. I think people around here are either starting to give respect because they themselves bike or they cant stand bikes on the roads due to the idiots that seem to always be present on the roads that have no business being there. I have seen groups of 40 people make a lane change like a school of fish across 3 lanes of traffic forcing traffic to stop to accomodate.
The other end of this argument is that I have missed an SUV for a reason I can only think was due to bagpipes. Yes bagpipes. I had a case that I kept in the passenger seat of my vehicle. A large black rectangular case that was there for over a year. I just looked right and the large black SUV didnt even register. Accidents do happen. That is why my insurer collects my money every month.
Ride defensively! Obey traffic signs. Always look at a drivers eyes as you prepare to cross their path and make some contact - especially if they are on the phone. Wave at them, it could save your life. Use your tail lights whenever you ride to help with overtaking vehicles observance of you.