Wrong lane procedure

[mr.man]

We've all been there. Quite busy town driving and realise you're in the wrong lane for where you want to go. Indicate and move over when safe to do so is the obvious answer but that safe gap doesn't always happen in time.

Your techniques please.

[Distant]

You've really got 2 options, signal on and speed no more than a crawl in the hope a gap will open up, or (especially if you're holding others up) just bite the bullet and make the wrong turn, then try to turn around somewhere.

One of those cases where if the body language of your car is reasonable, most of the time someone will let you in.

[7db]

Always seems to be easier to pull in behind someone than in front of someone IYSWIM...

[waremark]

A couple of ideas:

Let a big gap build in front of you, so that you can increase speed if necessary to match a gap. Open the window, and put your hand out to say thanks in anticipation. Make eye contact.

[over_the_hill]

Agree with Distant above.
Get indicator on, slow right down and look around over shoulder a lot. As soon as people realise you are in trouble, and not just some trying to jump the queue, someone will slow and let you in. We've all been there which is why (most) people will be responsive and help you out.

Edited by over_the_hill on Monday 23 November 16:44

[AMST09]

Slow right down for a gap
Or sometimes if appropriate and theres a gap up in front then just have to put your foot down (obviously in a safe manner)

[Nigel Worc's]

I'm not sure if people are threatened by me, or if I'm just polite enough, but I rarely have an issue with this, and as I drive so much, all over, I'm often in the wrong lane due to lack of local knowledge.

Most of the time, I ask (indicate), and the gap appears.

I alwyas try to be in a position to do the same for others.

[CarbonXKR]

I believe that maintaining a reasonable gap between you and the car in front shows others that you're prepared to let THEM in too - when in a case of lots of drivers needing to switch lanes (M8 at rush hour ). Respect others and they will respect you

[RobM77]

This depends which car I'm in...

Lotus: signal, and move the car slightly so people can see. I then get flashed and I raise my hand to say thank you.

BMW: signal, and move the car slightly so people can see. I then get hooted a lot and shouted at.

[waremark]

RobM77 said:

BMW: signal, and move the car slightly so people can see. I then get hooted a lot and shouted at.

My BMW is red, but I still don't generally get hooted at!

[RobM77]

waremark said:

RobM77 said:

BMW: signal, and move the car slightly so people can see. I then get hooted a lot and shouted at.

My BMW is red, but I still don't generally get hooted at!

It was mainly in jest, but there is a lot of truth in that. It was a problem in the four seater BMWs that I've had, but now I'm in a Z4 coupé I don't get hooted at - people view it like a TT or Cayman I guess.

[Nigel Worc's]

waremark said:

RobM77 said:

BMW: signal, and move the car slightly so people can see. I then get hooted a lot and shouted at.

My BMW is red, but I still don't generally get hooted at!

Mines blue, and I don't seem to experience any problems.

[RobM77]

Nigel Worc's said:

waremark said:

RobM77 said:

BMW: signal, and move the car slightly so people can see. I then get hooted a lot and shouted at.

My BMW is red, but I still don't generally get hooted at!

Mines blue, and I don't seem to experience any problems.

I've had a blue coupe and a green coupe plus a back saloon, all 3 series. I've definitely had more road rage problems in them than whilst driving other cars.

[Nigel Worc's]

RobM77 said:

Nigel Worc's said:

waremark said:

RobM77 said:

BMW: signal, and move the car slightly so people can see. I then get hooted a lot and shouted at.

My BMW is red, but I still don't generally get hooted at!

Mines blue, and I don't seem to experience any problems.

I've had a blue coupe and a green coupe plus a back saloon, all 3 series. I've definitely had more road rage problems in them than whilst driving other cars.

Mine have all been 5 series, one burgandy, one silver, and the present one blue, as I'd commented.

I have noticed a difference in behaviour towards me in different cars, notably when my wife had a Suzuki Swift (the older style one on a 03), and after that a Kia Picanto, but not "picking" on me bacuse I drive a beemer, more "picking" on me because I'm driving a small car.

I don't feel I'm treated any differently when driving my daughters Skoda fabia, my wifes Kia Ceed, or my present 5 series beemer estate.

I feel I have more of a presence in the beemer, in fact its my opinion that people expect me to behave in a certain way whilst driving the beemer, and if anything give me a wider berth !