That's the phrase my sister uses when family or friends deny the obvious, like when I couldn't own up to the fact that my nephew could finally beat me in any feat of strength one could imagine.
It's time for motorists to play the admit game. Every time I manage to catch up to a motorist who nearly hit me as they passed, I hear excuses. The latest woman, (license plate "shoosh"), started her pass great but then cut in front of me within a 6 inches to maybe a foot. Of course as often happens it gained her absolutely no time advantage as I caught up to her at a stop light. Her excuses were that I shouldn't be in the "middle" of the road, and that there was a line of cars behind me.
I was in the middle of my lane to avoid serious road damage that would have been extremely dangerous for me to ride through. The "line of cars" behind me was obviously a figment of her imagination.
If you come within 6 inches or a foot of a bicyclist, (or pedestrian for that matter), as you pass them, you were wrong, you screwed up. Any excuse, reason or justification you come up with, is all bulls#$%. Legally and morally if you pass that close to a vulnerable road user, you are wrong. Period. If you came that close by accident, you were either too distracted or too impatient to pass safely. If you came that close to try to make a point, you committed a violent felony, "recklessly endangering safety". You can't use your car as a weapon to impose your will on others.
If you think a bicyclist is doing something wrong call a cop. It's not for you to decide to run them off the road or scare them literally within inches of their life. It's not for you to disregard the law and all common sense.
To help you understand how wrong you were, imagine you actually hit the cyclist instead of just coming within inches of them. Now imagine the victim was a friend, relative, or co-worker. Would you go to the funeral and tell the family how sorry you were, but that it's really the victim's own fault and then give your list of excuses?
I've had to play the admit game. Years back I almost hit a pedestrian at an intersection. Ever since then I slow more at intersections and look at sidewalks every time I make a turn.
It's time to admit that your actions almost killed someone and they need to change.
I will continue to publicize the ridiculous behavior and excuses and when appropriate, ensure that the authorities punish people to the fullest extent of the law.
Or we could all just follow the rules, admit when we get it wrong, and learn from our mistakes.
