Premature Signalling on Multi Lane Roads
Discussion
I do wish that people would not signal right to move lanes just as I’m about to pass them! I always try to ensure that if I’m closing on another vehicle and am going to have to move out into the next lane to pass, then I will delay my signal until any vehicle in the next lane that I need to let past first is at least alongside. Drivers who indicate too soon leave you wondering if they’ve actually seen you, forcing you to make a snap judgement as to whether or not you need to make an urgent change to the next lane (if available), brake or keep going.
Experience suggests that 99% of drivers do know you’re there but just signal anyway. The other day the circumstances were such (lots of traffic in all three lanes) that I took the cautious option and braked quite firmly in case he really was on the brink of pulling out. He then sat there, clearly confused at my reaction. Flashing the headlights wouldn’t help at all: would I mean “please pull out in front of me” or “watch out, I’m coming through”. The Highway Code says lights = horn, so no help at all really.
Speaking of using the horn, what I think I should do (in theory at least), if I cannot easily pull out another lane to leave room, is sound the horn to let him know I’m there. I strongly suspect, however, that he or she will just think I’m being arrogant!
Ah well, another of life’s minor tribulations!
Experience suggests that 99% of drivers do know you’re there but just signal anyway. The other day the circumstances were such (lots of traffic in all three lanes) that I took the cautious option and braked quite firmly in case he really was on the brink of pulling out. He then sat there, clearly confused at my reaction. Flashing the headlights wouldn’t help at all: would I mean “please pull out in front of me” or “watch out, I’m coming through”. The Highway Code says lights = horn, so no help at all really.
Speaking of using the horn, what I think I should do (in theory at least), if I cannot easily pull out another lane to leave room, is sound the horn to let him know I’m there. I strongly suspect, however, that he or she will just think I’m being arrogant!
Ah well, another of life’s minor tribulations!
Hackney said:
Yep, totally agree.
Why would you indicate when there's a car coming past, unless you
a) haven't looked
b) have looked but not seen
It's especially annoying when there's half a mile of empty motorway behind me. (Which I've seen because I use my mirrors.
Or.. have no idea about the implications of indicating before someone has passed you. Why would you indicate when there's a car coming past, unless you
a) haven't looked
b) have looked but not seen
It's especially annoying when there's half a mile of empty motorway behind me. (Which I've seen because I use my mirrors.
I do a lot of motorway miles and I'm always watching the closing speeds of cars to judge when I should pull out to give room or not (satisfying when you read it right and move out nicely and they then move out) but the one that gets me is this...
Cruising in traffic at about .8 leptons in lane 3 (busy road, not out there for fun), car in lane 2 ahead closing significantly on truck/car infront and should be indicating for a move to L3 but isn't, ends up leaving you thinking, do I coast a bit and give them a better gap to get in or speed up so by the time they pull out I'm clear and they can have the space behind me and exactly as op says, they seem to wait until you've removed the gap to look up and realise they're suddenly gaining on the car in front and seem to indicate, brake and half pull out all at once...very uncomfortable when you're just about level. :s
Cruising in traffic at about .8 leptons in lane 3 (busy road, not out there for fun), car in lane 2 ahead closing significantly on truck/car infront and should be indicating for a move to L3 but isn't, ends up leaving you thinking, do I coast a bit and give them a better gap to get in or speed up so by the time they pull out I'm clear and they can have the space behind me and exactly as op says, they seem to wait until you've removed the gap to look up and realise they're suddenly gaining on the car in front and seem to indicate, brake and half pull out all at once...very uncomfortable when you're just about level. :s
Devil's advocate here: Some will happily drive along with no consideration for others (no one here of course
). Now, we would all recognise when a vehicle in L1, for instance was closing on a slower vehicle. Without waiting to see brake lights on that vehicle we would all consider moving to L3, or perhaps accelerating a little to allow space behind for the quicker of the two cars to move out.
Now, it may just be possible that some people, perhaps through selfishness? obliviousness? cruise control? drive in what may be interpreted as a manner lacking a degree of courtesy, and a bit of gentle persuasion through an early signal may not go amiss?
). Now, we would all recognise when a vehicle in L1, for instance was closing on a slower vehicle. Without waiting to see brake lights on that vehicle we would all consider moving to L3, or perhaps accelerating a little to allow space behind for the quicker of the two cars to move out. Now, it may just be possible that some people, perhaps through selfishness? obliviousness? cruise control? drive in what may be interpreted as a manner lacking a degree of courtesy, and a bit of gentle persuasion through an early signal may not go amiss?
All of the above. They'll move to lane 2 even though they have half a mile before they have to pass a lorry in lane 1 just so they can claim the space, even though it's clear at my closing speed that I'll be well past by the time they need to pull out. They will of course then sit in lane 2 (or 3 on a four-lane carriageway) for the next 20 miles.
When I was taught to drive, one of the key things was if possible not to make any manoeuvres that would cause another driver to alter direction or speed. It's a philosophy that works for me.
When I was taught to drive, one of the key things was if possible not to make any manoeuvres that would cause another driver to alter direction or speed. It's a philosophy that works for me.
Vaux said:
But you'd think they would experience the same feelings when it happened to them and would stop doing it to others?
As someone else who quoted you put, thats assuming that people put two and two together, i think you will find most people (when it happens to them) completely ignore the fact they are indicating right and assume if a crash is about to occur, there is little they can do, so proceed as normal.Nearly got side-swiped this morning...
Followed a car onto local DCW - we both join in lane 1 - expecting them to go straight to L2 (like everyone else) but stays L1 - so indicate, go L2 and as I get alongside during passing, driver makes a move for L2 with no indication or checking. You can predict actions when behind, but alongside is difficult! Fortunately the speed diff. was high enough that I was soon ahead of their 'vision' which resulted in a violent swerve back into L1. Needless to say, this vehicle only did a right turn 1.5 miles down the road - they should have, and could have, made the lane change much. much later. That's the real problem - L2 of every DC is now taken by vehicles travelling below limit because they may/may not be intending to turn R at the next roundabout or junction, a mile down the road.
Followed a car onto local DCW - we both join in lane 1 - expecting them to go straight to L2 (like everyone else) but stays L1 - so indicate, go L2 and as I get alongside during passing, driver makes a move for L2 with no indication or checking. You can predict actions when behind, but alongside is difficult! Fortunately the speed diff. was high enough that I was soon ahead of their 'vision' which resulted in a violent swerve back into L1. Needless to say, this vehicle only did a right turn 1.5 miles down the road - they should have, and could have, made the lane change much. much later. That's the real problem - L2 of every DC is now taken by vehicles travelling below limit because they may/may not be intending to turn R at the next roundabout or junction, a mile down the road.
Strikes me that most people indicate that they are going to move, not that is their intention to move if the coast is clear. That is of course if they indicate at all and to be honest this is becoming less common by the day!
People in this neck of the woods arnt even indicating at T junctions now.
People in this neck of the woods arnt even indicating at T junctions now.
gdaybruce said:
I do wish that people would not signal right to move lanes just as I’m about to pass them!
Have you considered they may need to signal at the point you're about to pass in order to signal for a sufficiently long time for the driver of the vehicle behind you to notice their intention?AnotherGareth said:
gdaybruce said:
I do wish that people would not signal right to move lanes just as I’m about to pass them!
Have you considered they may need to signal at the point you're about to pass in order to signal for a sufficiently long time for the driver of the vehicle behind you to notice their intention?I think the reason people do it is they are not indicating for you or any other road user. They are indicating because that's what you do before changing lane. No contemplation of why they have been taught to using the indicator when changing lane. They just do it because that's part of the process.
Munter said:
If the vehicle behind the OP is that close that the the car in the lane to the left needs to indicate before the OP is alongside. Then I don't believe there would be space to pull out between the OP and the following car safely.
The following vehicle will need to be some way back if you are allowing a minimum 4 seconds of indicating and looking for a reaction.AnotherGareth said:
Munter said:
If the vehicle behind the OP is that close that the the car in the lane to the left needs to indicate before the OP is alongside. Then I don't believe there would be space to pull out between the OP and the following car safely.
The following vehicle will need to be some way back if you are allowing a minimum 4 seconds of indicating and looking for a reaction.You should still wait till the vehicle overtaking you is alongside before indicating to avoid upsetting that driver.
In my world.
AnotherGareth said:
Vaux said:
In which case you're signalling to ask permission to change lanes, as some accommodation will be required to allow you to move.
If you haven't made sure the other driver has understood your intention then what is the point of signaling?Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff