indicators mistaken for passing signal.
Discussion
My job entails driving tractors and trailers, on numerous occasions whilst turning left vehicles mistake my indicator for a signal to pass. This would not be a problem however I have to use both sides of the road to turn in narrow gateways.i have even had cars passing on the inside. Where do I stand if there's a collision
waa said:
My job entails driving tractors and trailers, on numerous occasions whilst turning left vehicles mistake my indicator for a signal to pass. This would not be a problem however I have to use both sides of the road to turn in narrow gateways.i have even had cars passing on the inside. Where do I stand if there's a collision
There is no such thing as a 'passing signal', therefore if a vehicle struck yours during an attempt to overtake whilst you were manouevering, it would be entirely their fault.Sounds like you would be better to let the vehicles behind pass before trying to make the tight turn. If you were indicating left and pulled into the right lane while a car was passing I would say you would be mostly to blame for the accident. In the situation where you need more room most longer vehicles would indicate right and take up position in the middle of the road and then indicate left so that nobody is able to overtake while they are preparing to make the turn.
Sitting and allowing cars to pass is an option however some Muppets will just sit behind me and wait. Sitting on the white line would not work as I need both lanes to make my turn .a tractor in the countryside indicating before a gateway would surely tell 99% of drivers what's going on however there's always a few.
The question that goes before any indication, is it informative could it be misinterpreted. When driving tractors, particularly with a silage trailer behind, no matter what you do lemmings will do their best to commit suicide. Where you stand is beside their crumpled mess trying to figure why your trailer looks the same as it did when you left the yard.
Indicate left so you can put it on the NFU form and let Darwin do the rest.
Indicate left so you can put it on the NFU form and let Darwin do the rest.
There is no accounting for idiots, but I've a couple of suggestions for you to try.
Rather than swinging out just before you turn in a kind of "swan neck" manoeuvre, try positioning to the right earlier whilst showing a left indicator. When some drivers see a last minute swing to the right, they assume you're turning right, but a left signal followed by a gradual move till you're straddling the centre-line can make it more obvious what you're trying to achieve. Oncoming traffic can sometimes make this difficult, but it's worth a try.
And how about giving a hand signal? Unlike most four wheeled vehicles, tractors can allow drivers to give a non-highway code left turn signal with a left arm out of the nearside window. Not exactly textbook, but much less likely to be misunderstood than the HC left turn hand signal and a useful confirmation of a left trafficator signal.
Oh, and check the trailer indicators are clean and working - I know what you farmer types are like... ;-)
Rather than swinging out just before you turn in a kind of "swan neck" manoeuvre, try positioning to the right earlier whilst showing a left indicator. When some drivers see a last minute swing to the right, they assume you're turning right, but a left signal followed by a gradual move till you're straddling the centre-line can make it more obvious what you're trying to achieve. Oncoming traffic can sometimes make this difficult, but it's worth a try.
And how about giving a hand signal? Unlike most four wheeled vehicles, tractors can allow drivers to give a non-highway code left turn signal with a left arm out of the nearside window. Not exactly textbook, but much less likely to be misunderstood than the HC left turn hand signal and a useful confirmation of a left trafficator signal.
Oh, and check the trailer indicators are clean and working - I know what you farmer types are like... ;-)
Probably sounds anathema to a contractor on maize silage, but the best solution I came up with was just to go sloooooow, and keep your wits about you. Basically, drive/indicate as normal, but be ready to stop when some nobber acts like a nobber.
(My parents' place is on a fast b road, and people used to overtake a slowing tractor hauling straw, indicating right, immediately outside the farm entrance. There is no limitbto the stupidity of some drivers.)
(My parents' place is on a fast b road, and people used to overtake a slowing tractor hauling straw, indicating right, immediately outside the farm entrance. There is no limitbto the stupidity of some drivers.)
H..... said:
shakotan said:
if a vehicle struck yours during an attempt to overtake whilst you were manouevering, it would be entirely their fault.
If he moved to the right while indicating left? It is the responsibility of the overtaking vehicle to be aware of the position and intention of the vehicle it is overtaking before making that manouvre.
First of all, when approaching the turn reduce your speed gradually. No sudden braking but just a gradual but appreciable reduction in speed. This might seem obvious but what it will do is help 'control' the following traffic. Ideally you will want to have them slowed right down in a line behind you. The reduction in speed is the first indicator that you might be doing something they might not expect. Most but not all in this instance realise you are up to something and drop back accordingly.
Next, put your indicator on and begin to take up position to make the turn. If you need to move out towards the white line then do it early, if you need to move out to the far side of the road then put your headlights on. This will make you a lot more visible to oncoming traffic. You would not believe how a bit of low sun or shade from overhanging trees can make you pretty hard to see despite the size of your vehicle. If there is a line of oncoming traffic preventing you from moving out then slow right down to a walking pace to avoid coming to a complete stop waiting for the oncoming traffic to pass. Stopping completely can confuse those behind you and can have them sticking their noses out to get past.
As you move out to turn just keep an eye on your mirrors and be prepared to stop at any moment if one of the cars behind decides to ignore all the signs and tries to pass .You should be spot them in good time and should be able to stop in good time.
Just take it slow and anticipate stupid behaviour. Don't rush or make sudden turns. As a driver of an articulated lorry in rural Northern Ireland, I do this on an almost daily basis so I fully appreciate the situation you are in. I hope this helps.
Next, put your indicator on and begin to take up position to make the turn. If you need to move out towards the white line then do it early, if you need to move out to the far side of the road then put your headlights on. This will make you a lot more visible to oncoming traffic. You would not believe how a bit of low sun or shade from overhanging trees can make you pretty hard to see despite the size of your vehicle. If there is a line of oncoming traffic preventing you from moving out then slow right down to a walking pace to avoid coming to a complete stop waiting for the oncoming traffic to pass. Stopping completely can confuse those behind you and can have them sticking their noses out to get past.
As you move out to turn just keep an eye on your mirrors and be prepared to stop at any moment if one of the cars behind decides to ignore all the signs and tries to pass .You should be spot them in good time and should be able to stop in good time.
Just take it slow and anticipate stupid behaviour. Don't rush or make sudden turns. As a driver of an articulated lorry in rural Northern Ireland, I do this on an almost daily basis so I fully appreciate the situation you are in. I hope this helps.
I learnt to drive a truck recently, I'd never thought about how much more difficult it is to indicate what you're doing than in a car, in a car they can see round or through you so they have more information. They won't be able to see a thing past you! I'd assume they don't realise what you're doing and do everything so slowly you can stop dead if needs be, can't really see an alternative as any signal or position is open to misinterpretation in this situation
Whilst no experienced, switched on driver should be passing you in this circumstance, I'd have thought that moving in to the opposite lane whilst someone was in the process of overtaking you would still be considered your fault if it caused a collision. Surely it would be (deliberate or) a failure to check your wing mirrors. Or do your wing mirrors not reach past the trailer?
Either way, I'd still say hazard lights whilst drifting to the centre would be the way to go.
Either way, I'd still say hazard lights whilst drifting to the centre would be the way to go.
I'd go with Hazards and moving out to centre. I've followed loads of tractors with huge trailers and seen them slowing right down, left indicator on then abrupt swing into the middle of the road. Your final out come is to turn left but you are basically pulling a bigger move than that, the left indicator in my opinion causes confusion.
Also from experience most tractors and trailers around my way don't seem to have properly working lights / indicators. I wouldn't assume they're working either!!
Also from experience most tractors and trailers around my way don't seem to have properly working lights / indicators. I wouldn't assume they're working either!!
shakotan said:
waa said:
My job entails driving tractors and trailers, on numerous occasions whilst turning left vehicles mistake my indicator for a signal to pass. This would not be a problem however I have to use both sides of the road to turn in narrow gateways.i have even had cars passing on the inside. Where do I stand if there's a collision
There is no such thing as a 'passing signal', therefore if a vehicle struck yours during an attempt to overtake whilst you were manouevering, it would be entirely their fault.Obviously it is up to the following car whether you take advantage of this.
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