Indicating on motorways advice needed
Discussion
Joe443 said:
I have a few queries regarding motorway driving,
When overtaking should you indicate to move back in to the left lane?
Is it ok to flash people to let them pull out and what about putting hazards on to say thank you if someone else lets you out?
Thanks
Yes, indicate left. I wouldn't bother with the other two unless you're in heavy traffic. Letting people out means slowing down, which strictly speaking you shouldn't be doing in lane 2 or 3 as it annoys people behind you. When overtaking should you indicate to move back in to the left lane?
Is it ok to flash people to let them pull out and what about putting hazards on to say thank you if someone else lets you out?
Thanks
Yes and no to all of them, depending on the situation.
On an empty dual carriageway or motorway, I will often not indicate - right or left - when passing a wagon at +30mph. If there's other traffic around which would benefit from it, or if I;m near a junction, I will.
Flash people - yes, if I can ease off the gas (without inconveniencing anyone behind) and the car in lane 1 is closing in on a wagon, I will often flash to let it out. Often, however, they hesitate and we have a bit of a standoff..
Hazards: rarely - if someone has been very kind or I have muscled my way in closer than I would have liked. Usually, in daylight, a hand in the rear-view mirror. Hazards only if that hand will not be seen.
On an empty dual carriageway or motorway, I will often not indicate - right or left - when passing a wagon at +30mph. If there's other traffic around which would benefit from it, or if I;m near a junction, I will.
Flash people - yes, if I can ease off the gas (without inconveniencing anyone behind) and the car in lane 1 is closing in on a wagon, I will often flash to let it out. Often, however, they hesitate and we have a bit of a standoff..
Hazards: rarely - if someone has been very kind or I have muscled my way in closer than I would have liked. Usually, in daylight, a hand in the rear-view mirror. Hazards only if that hand will not be seen.
Flashing your lights is a bit like wacing your hands during conversation. It can mean all kinds of different things to different people. At motorway speeds I think it is safest not to do so, in case it is misinterpreted, or not seen at all. If you want to help someone move into their lane, try to create a gap for them to do so, but don't be surprised if they are not confident enough to move across into it. In that case, use the gap you've just created to get past them at a reasonable closing speed, minimisng the amount of time you spend alongside them or in their blind spot.
LordGrover said:
Fairly confident using hazards while moving is an offence? 116
Like using your mobile though, 90% of drivers think it doesn't apply to them.
Not an offence on a motorway or national speed limit dual carriageway, but should only be used to warn of an obstruction ahead.Like using your mobile though, 90% of drivers think it doesn't apply to them.
OP, if you're new to motorway driving, or you're unsure about some aspects of driving on the motorway, there's some further reading in the following links:
Motorways part 1.
Motorways part 2.
Motorways part 3.
I dont indicate when moving back into L1, HC 264 ( you should always drive in the LH lane) . However when going from L3+ to L2+ i do indicate so traffic in L1/2 have a visual indication of my intention. That doesnt always work and they still move indicate look as i am coming over, luckily the idiot sensor is on full alert and a smooth move back into my original lane relieves the situation. A piece of advice my driving instructor gave me waaaay back in 1964 about pulling back in following an overtake. Check the interior mirror and when you can see the whole front of the overtaken car in the mirror you 'should' have enough space between you so you dont cut them up.A procedure i see all too often by cars pulling in on you.
Another tip given by the RR (the proper RR!) chauffeurs school was when beginnig anovertake, get into the position in good time so you are at least 2 sec 'behind' when you are fully in L2. THe owrst thing yo do is barrel up to the car in front and then lurch out. It upsets Sir in the back an smooth pull out and a smooth pull in and h has no idea what is happening
Another tip given by the RR (the proper RR!) chauffeurs school was when beginnig anovertake, get into the position in good time so you are at least 2 sec 'behind' when you are fully in L2. THe owrst thing yo do is barrel up to the car in front and then lurch out. It upsets Sir in the back an smooth pull out and a smooth pull in and h has no idea what is happening
Its great that someone is asking questions but... I still don't understand how you can pass your full driving test having never driven on a UK motorway!!! so many idiots around these days, middle lane hoggers, brake testers.. the list goes on.
People need to remember there is one lane on the motorway (The inside), the other two are there for overtaking. (Excluding a fork in the road for junctions ect)
People need to remember there is one lane on the motorway (The inside), the other two are there for overtaking. (Excluding a fork in the road for junctions ect)
3yardy3 said:
Its great that someone is asking questions but... I still don't understand how you can pass your full driving test having never driven on a UK motorway!!!
Plenty of the population don't stay within 100 miles of a motorway. For someone in Shetland for example it would involve an overnight ferry journey and over an hours drive after they would to get to a motorway. 3yardy3 said:
Its great that someone is asking questions but... I still don't understand how you can pass your full driving test having never driven on a UK motorway!!! so many idiots around these days, middle lane hoggers, brake testers.. the list goes on.
People need to remember there is one lane on the motorway (The inside), the other two are there for overtaking. (Excluding a fork in the road for junctions ect)
I always indicate and move to the left once I have finished overtaking. I also don't flash people or use hazards to say thanks. I was just wondering if this was a common thing to do.People need to remember there is one lane on the motorway (The inside), the other two are there for overtaking. (Excluding a fork in the road for junctions ect)
R_U_LOCAL said:
Not an offence on a motorway or national speed limit dual carriageway, but should only be used to warn of an obstruction ahead.
OP, if you're new to motorway driving, or you're unsure about some aspects of driving on the motorway, there's some further reading in the following links:
Motorways part 1.
Motorways part 2.
Motorways part 3.
I'm not unsure on anything else but i'll have a read. thanksOP, if you're new to motorway driving, or you're unsure about some aspects of driving on the motorway, there's some further reading in the following links:
Motorways part 1.
Motorways part 2.
Motorways part 3.
Edited by Joe443 on Wednesday 9th September 17:31
I indicate only when it would be useful to another road user
If on something like the outer lane of a 2 lane dual with another too close behind waiting to pass then I will not indicate back to lane 1 but move left when safe to do so because the moment I put an indicator on the vehicle behind will start accelerating before I am out of the way
If on something like the outer lane of a 2 lane dual with another too close behind waiting to pass then I will not indicate back to lane 1 but move left when safe to do so because the moment I put an indicator on the vehicle behind will start accelerating before I am out of the way
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
R0G said:
I indicate only when it would be useful to another road user
That of course assumes you've identified every single user who finds it useful. Why not indicate every time? It costs nothing and can do no harm?JM said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
R0G said:
I indicate only when it would be useful to another road user
That of course assumes you've identified every single user who finds it useful. Why not indicate every time? It costs nothing and can do no harm?As I say, why not, it doesn't cost, take any effort, and can't be a negative?
I almost never give signals on motorways , the logic is as follows :
Returning to the left : it is incorrect to signal for this after any overtake ; you are supposed to return left and this is what is expected , this applies to all roads , not just motorways and DC .
Equally applicable to above , if I plan to change lane , only two circumstances are possible -
One ) You can safely change lane without affecting or inconveniencing anyone else , therefore no need for a signal , this applies equally to moving right or left , especially when joining from a slip road - trafficating right to join from a slip road is ridiculous - where else could you possibly be going ??
Two ) There is traffic close behind in the lane you wish to enter : the lane change / overtake isn't on ; wait until it is .
In the days when I sat my advanced tests , you would be marked down for unnecessary signals .
I would only use hazard lights if I had to stop on a free flowing carriageway because of some obstruction , perhaps an RTC or could be something lying on the carriageway , and need to warn following traffic . I have only done this a handful of times when first on the scene of something , and in each case it was because someone was trapped in a crashed car and needed protection from approaching traffic . ( I do have the luxury of blue lights , even in my own cars , which makes this a little safer , but even so I'd still get out of the car and to a safer position , I'm putting my car in harm's way because risking some bent metal is preferable to leaving someone in mortal danger ) .
I said 'almost never' re signalling : rare occasions I might signal is if traffic is nose to tail on the approach to a lane closure and there is never going to be a gap , then I would signal and wait for a gap .
I acknowledge courtesy with a wave of the hand , not hazard lights . I don't use headlamp flashes to invite people out , but will frequently leave a clear gap and leave the other driver to decide whether or not to come out : if you invite someone out of a side road , or another lane , and something happens ( say they are hit by an overtaking motorbike you hadn't seen ) you could be held in part responsible as you had indicated it was safe for them to pull out - leave a gap , let them decide .
Headlamps are just a warning of approach , but many drivers do misinterpret this as an invitation to do something , so caution is needed .
Returning to the left : it is incorrect to signal for this after any overtake ; you are supposed to return left and this is what is expected , this applies to all roads , not just motorways and DC .
Equally applicable to above , if I plan to change lane , only two circumstances are possible -
One ) You can safely change lane without affecting or inconveniencing anyone else , therefore no need for a signal , this applies equally to moving right or left , especially when joining from a slip road - trafficating right to join from a slip road is ridiculous - where else could you possibly be going ??
Two ) There is traffic close behind in the lane you wish to enter : the lane change / overtake isn't on ; wait until it is .
In the days when I sat my advanced tests , you would be marked down for unnecessary signals .
I would only use hazard lights if I had to stop on a free flowing carriageway because of some obstruction , perhaps an RTC or could be something lying on the carriageway , and need to warn following traffic . I have only done this a handful of times when first on the scene of something , and in each case it was because someone was trapped in a crashed car and needed protection from approaching traffic . ( I do have the luxury of blue lights , even in my own cars , which makes this a little safer , but even so I'd still get out of the car and to a safer position , I'm putting my car in harm's way because risking some bent metal is preferable to leaving someone in mortal danger ) .
I said 'almost never' re signalling : rare occasions I might signal is if traffic is nose to tail on the approach to a lane closure and there is never going to be a gap , then I would signal and wait for a gap .
I acknowledge courtesy with a wave of the hand , not hazard lights . I don't use headlamp flashes to invite people out , but will frequently leave a clear gap and leave the other driver to decide whether or not to come out : if you invite someone out of a side road , or another lane , and something happens ( say they are hit by an overtaking motorbike you hadn't seen ) you could be held in part responsible as you had indicated it was safe for them to pull out - leave a gap , let them decide .
Headlamps are just a warning of approach , but many drivers do misinterpret this as an invitation to do something , so caution is needed .
Edited by Pontoneer on Thursday 10th September 07:30
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
That of course assumes you've identified every single user who finds it useful. Why not indicate every time? It costs nothing and can do no harm?
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
But why not? And just maybe you've missed something. Even super drivers don't have 360 degree vision or sixth sense.
As I say, why not, it doesn't cost, take any effort, and can't be a negative?
Because people who simply indicate all the time tend not to think about them and to drive in a robotic , automatic manner . Those who take proper observation and CONSIDER the need for a signal during every implementation of the system will generally be much more attentive , won't carry out unnecessary actions , and also will be less likely to omit necessary ones , therefore safer . If you are driving correctly according to the system , there are multiple occasions on the approach to every hazard where you should be considering signals ( these can take the form of trafficator signals , hand signals , audible and visible warnings of approach ) .As I say, why not, it doesn't cost, take any effort, and can't be a negative?
By eliminating unnecessary actions , such as needless signals or gear changes , you achieve a smoother , more efficient drive , leave nothing to chance and become safer .
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