Originally Posted by 1989Pre

I'm sorry that happened to you, but I appreciate you sharing your experience and observation. It serves to remind us that a lot of what we do repeatedly becomes "automatic" and that vigilance gradually makes way for imitation.
We also have to remember that intersections are where a lot of accidents happen. I think the best thing you can do at these places is to ride slowly and with a great deal of suspicion.
I'm glad you avoided mis-hap. It sounds like a near-disaster.