Changing lanes

booksale

I feel very stressed to change lanes, esp. to right lanes on national roads.

When I look over my shoulder, I sometimes would swing the car to left or right. I guess it may be because I 'over-look'. How can I avoid this? is it OK to slow down a bit when I want to change lanes?

**Timbuk2**

Hi there!

I too felt nervous about changing lanes when I started to drive. I've been driving over a year now, and trust me, it will become second nature!

Firstly, about the slowing down thing. This is entirely circumstance dependent. If you are moving into a right-turning lane, which is long, then you shouldn't really be slowing down on the 'main' road - the idea of right-turning lane is to allow 'straight-ahead' traffic to make progress without being hindered by slow/stationary right-turning traffic. Of course there are situations where you have to slow down, such as a very short right turning lane which occurs after a traffic island, or similar. Take it on a case-by-case basis!

In terms of observation, this is what I'd do (and what I did in my test!). When approaching the right-turning lane, look in your rear view mirror and your right wing mirror to get an idea of traffic. Signal. Before you move into the right-turning lane, check the mirrors again to make sure cars haven't moved in early before you move in. Then, look over your shoulder. You shouldn't actually be looking behind you. Look to your 2 o clock, maybe half 2, and use your peripheral vision to check your blindspot - this is to make sure there are no cars right beside you. Then move smoothly in.

Try and learn where your blindspot is - this will prevent overlooking. Motorway driving has made me very familiar with blindspots (you'd be surprised that a car can be right beside you but completely invisible in all mirrors when merging onto a motorway), but that isn't really ideal if you are learning. You could always try driving around the house and driving up beside a wheelie bin (that's what I did ) and it will give you an idea of where your blind spot is.

Best of luck! I hope this helps and is clear!

booksale

tks.

there were a few times i was shocked with the car behind me on the right which i did not notice its existence. it's not in the mirrors. in that case, should i cancel the signal to let the car go first or should i keep the signal on and let it pass and check and change lane?

and supposingly the car on the other lane should be a bit farther from me so i can change the lane safely, but in city driving, how much is the minimum gap between cars needed for changing lane? can i change lane if i can see from the mirrors there is a gap between cars on the other lane, but the car behind in the other lane is still in the corner of my mirror? do i change lane in this situation or wait till a bigger gap and signal and change??? (excuse me for my clumpsy english as it's not my first language, hope you guys can understand).

sometimes, i find people keep going or drive a bit quicker to close the gap so you can't change lanes... it makes me more stressed too.

Reloc8

Have you heard about the 'blind spot' ?

This is the point relative to your vehicle where there is a vehicle alongside, but you can't see it in your mirrors, nor can you see it looking ahead or slightly to your side.

Before changing lanes you need to do a proper blind-spot check. This involves looking over your shoulder in the lane you are going to change to. Its a quick glance, not a long stare. If your blindspot is clear, and the move is otherwise safe, you can indicate, check mirrors again and then move over. Its especially important on dual carriageways and motorways (when you get to those).

Working out whether a gap is safe to change lane into is a question of experience and judgment. The traffic in the lane you are changing to has right of way so they don't have to make room for you and if there is a collision it is your fault. You'll get better as you drive for longer. Just be very very sure that you have a safe gap. Better miss an opportunity than take a risk.

Also, try and make sure that when the lane you want to be in opens up you get into it at the earliest opportunity so that you are changing into an empty lane and not into traffic.

People not letting you into the lane can be a problem - don't get stressed or try and force your way in. They do have right of way. Generally somebody with a bit of courtesy will let you move in eventually. Never make a move just because you think other people are getting annoyed with you.

With that said try and avoid situations where you are looking to move over three lanes immediately or whatever just to get your turn. Good planning will help.

If the car is drifting as you do your observation you need to practice making your observation quickly and efficiently and also controlling the car while doing so. Do this with an experienced driver, ideally an authorised driving instructor.

booksale

THANKS very much, it is very clear.


The balance between this:

Reloc8 wrote: »

Just be very very sure that you have a safe gap.

and this:

Reloc8 wrote: »

Also, try and make sure that when the lane you want to be in opens up you get into it at the earliest opportunity ...

is very difficult!!!

Reloc8 wrote: »

Never make a move just because you think other people are getting annoyed with you.

Above mistake is what I always make / tend to make... want to move quicker etc. because I am afraid people behind would be annoyed with me.


On dual carriageways (e.g. N11), I usually stay on the left lane, if I know I am going to turn right, how early should I change onto the right lane to prepare myself enter into the specific lane for turning right? If I change onto the right lane, which suppose to be the over-take lane and drive for a while before I really turn right, is it alright??

When I drove with my instructor, he always hinted me when to change lane. And the traffic was not busy. There were few times when I drove with my friend during busy time in the city that he did not hint me and he had to shout 'stop' to prevent me changing lane in an inappropriate time.

daveharnett

booksale wrote: »

When I look over my shoulder, I sometimes would swing the car to left or right. I guess it may be because I 'over-look'. How can I avoid this?

This is all about practice. I had problems with this too when I was starting out - I found myself wandering off-line while I was trying to make sense of the information in my mirrors. A few things i've found helpful.

• While you're moving forward, a mirror check should never take longer than a second, or you are vulnerable to big surprises when your attention comes back to the front of the car.
• Check the mirrors regularly - you should always be maintaining a picture of what's happening behind you. This makes mirror checks quicker - you are updating the picture rather than building it from scratch.

booksale wrote: »

there were a few times i was shocked with the car behind me on the right which i did not notice its existence. it's not in the mirrors. in that case, should i cancel the signal to let the car go first or should i keep the signal on and let it pass and check and change lane?

• First of all, get your mirrors set up properly. It sounds like you (like most people) have your wing mirrors pointed backwards, which is a mistake.
• Once your mirrors are right and you are properly aware of what's going on behind you, nobody should be able to get to your (now very small)blind spots without you knowing about it.

booksale

TKS very much, daveharnett.

daveharnett wrote: »

• First of all, get your mirrors set up properly. It sounds like you (like most people) have your wing mirrors pointed backwards, which is a mistake.
• Once your mirrors are right and you are properly aware of what's going on behind you, nobody should be able to get to your (now very small)blind spots without you knowing about it.

i will try this. i read the article before, but was not sure whether then would i miss the cyclists/ motorists beside me... but yea, i know, if i always keep an eye wiht that's happening behind me, i should know beforehand that there are cyclists / motorists behind me coming up.

tks.

**Timbuk2**

I'm not sure I agree with the article about adjusting your wing mirrors. The way he set it up it looks like you might miss things on the very inside of your car - e.g. cyclists coming up. Also, being able to see the edge of the car is handy for parking etc.

No wing mirror adjustment can replace a blind spot check anyway. Remember, in addition to checking your blind spot, simply moving your head forward and backward can adjust what range of vision you have in the wing mirrors.

Brenmccann

just use your mirrors and your eyes. you will be grand then.safe driving girl and boys

Del2005

Brenmccann wrote: »

just use your mirrors and your eyes. you will be grand then.safe driving girl and boys

For the test you have to move your head or else you'll fail, as the tester can't see eye movements.

daveharnett

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I'm not sure I agree with the article about adjusting your wing mirrors. The way he set it up it looks like you might miss things on the very inside of your car - e.g. cyclists coming up. Also, being able to see the edge of the car is handy for parking etc.

He does take it to an extreme allright. I keep mine adjusted so that picture in the 'inside' edge of the mirror just misses the rear wing (ie a tiny move of the head and I can see the wing).

For parking, I have the luxury of electric mirrors. I rarely have cause to parallel park, so when I do need to, I pretty much point the nearside mirror at the back wheel:o

Gusc

booksale wrote: »

I feel very stressed to change lanes, esp. to right lanes on national roads.

When I look over my shoulder, I sometimes would swing the car to left or right. I guess it may be because I 'over-look'. How can I avoid this? is it OK to slow down a bit when I want to change lanes?

When changing lanes check the Mirrors,Then signal, Then manoeuvre having a glance over your shoulder, Dont over-look and slow down doing this manoeuvre
Gusc