Is it illegal to give up your right of way?

Kotek Besar

As in, car A flashes his lights to tell car B he can pull out in front of him, even though legally it's car A's right of way.

I've heard before that to give up your right of way like this is actually illegal, though I'm sure most of us do it from time to time, depending on the situation, out of courtesy.

Does anyone know where the law stands on this?

Anan1

No, but there are times when i've thought that it should be.

Micilin Muc

It should be. It's very dangerous for cyclists and motorbikes when done in city traffic especially.

3 times cycling home yesterday, different cars did this while I was coming alongside, only for Car B to pull out right in front of me.

101sean

It's only here and the UK that flashing headlights are used to do this, can be confusing especially with DRLs and headlights on. I've almost been caught out by a car hitting a small dip in the road and mistaking it for a flash.

Anywhere else in the world, headlamp flash is a warning that that you are there and are coming through.

the_syco

Kotek Besar wrote: »

Does anyone know where the law stands on this?

If an accident happens, it's the fault of "car A", me thinks...

MidlandsM

In the event of a claim, if you "give up" your right of way (i.e. Flash someone and beckon them on), you'll potentially lose out if there's an accident and a claim.......Be carefull.

ScouseMouse

If you stop and beckon/signal someone to come on, it can be classed as directing traffic, which you are not entitled to do.

I was on a tank of a motorcycle a few years back, and a guy stopped, and beckoned another car out and I hit him. He came off worst!

Solicitor held the car I hit responsible for not yielding to me. He also told me the guy who stopped and waved him out would have been also held responsible if we had of had his details.

Micilin Muc

Micilin Muc wrote: »

It should be. It's very dangerous for cyclists and motorbikes when done in city traffic especially.

3 times cycling home yesterday, different cars did this while I was coming alongside, only for Car B to pull out right in front of me.

Sure you would never get out on the road from car parks, side roads etc in city traffic unless people let you especially when its busy. Motorbikes and cyclists should be watching what they are doing rather than trying to blame people for letting out cars for nearly causing them to get hit, its obvious enough whats going on if you are concentrating on what your doing.

There are some situations where it is ridiculous, like suddenly slowing down in fast moving traffic to let a car out even though they will easily get a chance themselves in no time etc.

280special

If someone stops for no good reason and are then rear ended they are at fault. The same goes for stopping to let someone across the road. Good manners maybe, good driving it definately isnt ! Knew it myself and had it confirmed by a Garda a while back.

Fair enough if you are in a slow moving q of traffic and are only going to move a 100 yards before stopping again,and such a delay wouldnt make any difference, but otherwise isnt the person at the front forgetting that he/she is inconveniencing those behind them by delaying their journey ? Might only be for a few seconds but if its only to save the other driver waiting a few seconds its a bit dumb isnt it ?

166man

Iirc you aren't supposed to flash your lights or use hand signals to let another driver out ahead of you because a cyclist may be coming up on your inside and could cause an accident. The driver pulling out into the road is supposed to use his/her common sense as to when to pull out. I'm almost certain I remember being told this before doing the driving test...

corktina

I just give the other guy the opportunity to go and let him make the decisions.

Del2005

Nicolas Glamorous Punch wrote: »

Sure you would never get out on the road from car parks, side roads etc in city traffic unless people let you especially when its busy. Motorbikes and cyclists should be watching what they are doing rather than trying to blame people for letting out cars for nearly causing them to get hit, its obvious enough whats going on if you are concentrating on what your doing.

It's a good job the law disagrees with you. And I think you'll find that cyclists and motorcyclists are well aware of the dangers on the roads, as they will always come out worst when some muppet says "Sorry I didn't see you".

There's no harm in letting someone out of a junction/car park, but if you signal them out and they hit someone you are partially responsible. If you stop and wait as Corktina said and they hit someone it's fully their fault.

Atomic Pineapple

Del2005 wrote: »

I think you'll find that cyclists and motorcyclists are well aware of the dangers on the roads, as they will always come out worst when some muppet says "Sorry I didn't see you".

If they are then a cyclist or motorcyclist would have no issue with someone letting a car out and would be able to read the traffic correctly and have stopped well in advance of any danger. Just because a bike can fit between cars doesn't mean they have a right to ignore whats happening and carry on regardless.

Del2005

Del2005 wrote: »

It's a good job the law disagrees with you. And I think you'll find that cyclists and motorcyclists are well aware of the dangers on the roads, as they will always come out worst when some muppet says "Sorry I didn't see you".

There's no harm in letting someone out of a junction/car park, but if you signal them out and they hit someone you are partially responsible. If you stop and wait as Corktina said and they hit someone it's fully their fault.

You are moving along in traffic fairly slowly, see a car looking to get out, you slow down a bit more, quick flash of the light to let him know to pull out and a quick salute from them and away they go.

If a motorcyclist or cyclist cannot read that situation or are too busy trying to snake between cars to notice then they shouldn't be out on the road.

As I said there are situations where its not on, fast moving traffic on main roads, letting people out when the road is clear behind you and no need for it etc, but in city traffic its fair game. I like to see a flash or wave myself as sometimes you don't know if the person is letting you out or not without it.

Id also add that it should be one car and at the absolute most two, people letting out multiple cars is very annoying.

Chris_Heilong

Altough the law is not always right, like the other poster said, bikes should use common sense, the rest of us are going to babysit them, I remember I knocked a girl off her bike when I openned the passanger door because she was cycling too fast on the footpath, she went flying sure but I am sure she came away lesson learned.

Being a motorist also involves common sense, if it is not safe to let someone out of a parking space then dont do it but being polite on the road is important as it stops people from getting stressed out and taking chances to cut in line and all that sort of rat race behaviour that cause accidents.

puppetmaster

corktina wrote: »

I just give the other guy the opportunity to go and let him make the decisions.

Id do the same, its the persons responsability under law to watch for oncoming traffic while entering the road be it cars or bikes. Obviously the cyclist must be aware, its them who will come off worst in any accident. From Car A's point of view i am extra cautious when pulling out if someone has actually slowed down in moving traffic and flashes me, there is so much extra to go wrong. cyclists, Pedestrians, Cars turning off the otherside of the road. Cars from the other direction and cars behind the slowing car overtaking him and hitting you (your fault)

I personally overtook a guy on the N25 who slowed from 100kp to about 70kph suddenly, wide open road no on coming traffic so i over took him, he was slowing to let an artic out onto the road?? Who's liable there the artic probably. Slow moving traffic in town is where i hang back from the car in front and allow traffic the opportunity to merge. Beyond that its dangerous.

Reloc8

puppetmaster wrote: »

I personally overtook a guy on the N25 who slowed from 100kp to about 70kph suddenly, wide open road no on coming traffic so i over took him, he was slowing to let an artic out onto the road?? Who's liable there the artic probably. Slow moving traffic in town is where i hang back from the car in front and allow traffic the opportunity to merge. Beyond that its dangerous.

Poor driving all round to be honest.

In terms of a collision with an artic (or any collision at that speed really) I'd be more concerned with not having it in the first place than looking for re-assurance as to who was in the wrong. In any event the answer to your question is 'it would depend' - there are many variables (speed, where the hypothetical collision took place on the road, where the vehicles impacted each other).

However, if the car in front slows for no apparent reason ? You should have proceeded with caution, especially through a junction ? If this was a junction in the N25 would you not have seen what was going on ahead with the artic moving out ?

You might like to review the Rules of the Road http://www.rotr.ie/rules-for-driving/good-driving-practice/overtaking.html

Under the heading 'Overtaking' it is stated that

"You must not overtake when

• You are at or near a pelican crossing, zebra crossing or at pedestrian signals.
• A traffic sign or road marking prohibits it.
• You are approaching a junction.
• You are on the approach to a corner, bend, dip in the road, hump-back bridge, brow of a hill or on a narrow road.
• You are in the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway or motorway when traffic is moving at normal speed."

Rules of the Road are not determinative of legal liability but any court will have regard to them. In this instance you were non-compliant with the third point above.

trellheim

this is why I try and never flash or wave other drivers on as you are then taking some measure of responsibility for their manoeuvre.

Gophur

Why is it when you're in a hurry, the driver in front turns out to be the most courteous pr1ck on the road, stopping to let everyone out in front?

Why do some people think it is OK to stop on a main road to allow drivers out from minor roads? Their courtesy only extends to those drivers in front of them, with none to those at the rear.

eoferrall

draffodx wrote: »

If they are then a cyclist or motorcyclist would have no issue with someone letting a car out and would be able to read the traffic correctly and have stopped well in advance of any danger. Just because a bike can fit between cars doesn't mean they have a right to ignore whats happening and carry on regardless.

Often there is a cycle lane that the car is crossing and the cyclist can not see the lights flashing the other out as they are behind/beside the car and so while yes there is the possibility and they will be more prepared than a driver just driving not expecting someone to pull across them, you can't say they will have stopped well in advance of the danger. reading your post seems a but non-sensical in reality and theoretical based to me.

on the topic, I would do the same when driving slow down in busy traffic to create a gap to let them merge should they wish to, or delay moving off to allow a car out. When cycling if I see a car slowing creating a gap i slow also to allow the car out and will usually motion them to continue across.

Del2005

Nicolas Glamorous Punch wrote: »

You are moving along in traffic fairly slowly, see a car looking to get out, you slow down a bit more, quick flash of the light to let him know to pull out and a quick salute from them and away they go.

Unless you've checked your mirrors and blind spots and continue to monitor them you how do you not know that a person who has right of way isn't coming along the road.

Nicolas Glamorous Punch wrote: »

If a motorcyclist or cyclist cannot read that situation or are too busy trying to snake between cars to notice then they shouldn't be out on the road.

It's you who isn't aware of what's going on on the road. The motorbike or cyclist is perfectly entitled to filter past traffic and you by calling a vehicle out are the one who isn't reading the road as other road users are legally allowed to overtake you when you are stuck in traffic.

Atomic Pineapple

eoferrall wrote: »

Often there is a cycle lane that the car is crossing and the cyclist can not see the lights flashing the other out as they are behind/beside the car and so while yes there is the possibility and they will be more prepared than a driver just driving not expecting someone to pull across them, you can't say they will have stopped well in advance of the danger. reading your post seems a but non-sensical in reality and theoretical based to me.

If a cyclist is beside the car then a driver coming out should obviously see them and not pull out as a cyclist is coming along, if the cyclist is behind the car the car's brake lights will give them ample warning that something is changing in the flow of traffic and to adjust their cycling accordingly,thus being well able to stop before putting themselves in danger.

GreeBo

draffodx wrote: »

If a cyclist is beside the car then a driver coming out should obviously see them and not pull out as a cyclist is coming along, if the cyclist is behind the car the car's brake lights will give them ample warning that something is changing in the flow of traffic and to adjust their cycling accordingly,thus being well able to stop before putting themselves in danger.

If there are two lanes of cars and the outside lane stops (to let someone in) are you saying that the inside lane then has to stop?
If not, then why should a cyclist in a bike lane have to stop?
Its the exact same scenario.

keithclancy

I'd only stop/not move to leave someone out if:

1. I was already stopped and the car in front had created a gap
2. If the car in front was stopping and I would block the entrance to the road.

However I'd never flash my lights, I'd leave it up to the other driver to decide whether its safe to go or not.

Also you should never slow down while moving in free flowing traffic to leave someone out, this just increases congestion and makes the traffic situation for people getting out even worse.

As someone else said, Flashing your lights is G.T.F.O.O.T.W over here.

Saying that its always give way to the right so the problem doesn't exist in allot of cases.

Anan1

draffodx wrote: »

If they are then a cyclist or motorcyclist would have no issue with someone letting a car out and would be able to read the traffic correctly and have stopped well in advance of any danger. Just because a bike can fit between cars doesn't mean they have a right to ignore whats happening and carry on regardless.

I think you're missing the point. The bike still has right of way over the car coming out but the car, having been flashed out by another car, doesn't see the bike and pulls out anyway.

Vikings

Anan1 wrote: »

The bike still has right of way over the car coming out but the car, having been flashed out by another car, doesn't see the bike and pulls out anyway.

Still the driver's fault if he causes the accident though. Regardless of a 'beckon' or not. Bad practice full stop but unfortunately it is very common place on our roads.

To insurance companies they may try and pin some blame on a driver who flashes or waves but that my guess is to try and suit their own pockets over anything else.

If you are the cause of an accident and you cause somebody to be injured, you will be held liable and may be prosecuted for any number of offences under the road traffic act. I have not heard of a defense being successful on the grounds that another person flashed me to let me out.

If somebody 'beckons' you to perform a manoeuvre you are still responsible for performing it. If you have a blind spot and can not be certain nothing is coming then wait. A large proportion of drivers on the roads are simply too damn impatient and that is what causes accidents.

Idleater

What I love seeing is cars that are at or very near the end of a line of cars stopping and letting someone out. :rolleyes:

okane1

280special wrote: »

If someone stops for no good reason and are then rear ended they are at fault.

Nope. If you hit them from behind your fault. If you are travelling a save distance behind the car, you should have plenty of time to stop before hitting them.

Our man in Havana

101sean wrote: »

.

Anywhere else in the world, headlamp flash is a warning that that you are there and are coming through.

It normally means the Five-0 are up ahead and to take appropriate precautions.

Atomic Pineapple

GreeBo wrote: »

If there are two lanes of cars and the outside lane stops (to let someone in) are you saying that the inside lane then has to stop?
If not, then why should a cyclist in a bike lane have to stop?
Its the exact same scenario.

I never said the cyclist has to stop. I simply stated that a cyclist should be aware of the situation happening just as the car pulling out should be aware of the cyclist.

Anan1 wrote: »

I think you're missing the point. The bike still has right of way over the car coming out but the car, having been flashed out by another car, doesn't see the bike and pulls out anyway.

As above I'm not talking about right of way, I'm talking about being aware of whats happening and taking measures to avoid danger.

puppetmaster

Reloc8 wrote: »

Poor driving all round to be honest.

You might like to review the Rules of the Road http://www.rotr.ie/rules-for-driving/good-driving-practice/overtaking.html

Under the heading 'Overtaking' it is stated that

"You must not overtake when

• You are at or near a pelican crossing, zebra crossing or at pedestrian signals.
• A traffic sign or road marking prohibits it.
• You are approaching a junction.
• You are on the approach to a corner, bend, dip in the road, hump-back bridge, brow of a hill or on a narrow road.
• You are in the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway or motorway when traffic is moving at normal speed."

Rules of the Road are not determinative of legal liability but any court will have regard to them. In this instance you were non-compliant with the third point above.

Your going on the assumption it was a junction, it wasn't, My manouver was perfectly legal, and had no adverse concequence as there was no oncoming traffic and i could continue to overtake the vehicle ahead. So i wouldn't condiser my actions "poor driving". The issue was pertaining to the car in front slowing and its legallity. The vehicle infront or the slowing vehicle driving in the hard shoulder and merging when unsafe was legally in the wrong. Im aware of that eitherway. Without reading up on the rules of the road

Reloc8

Fair enough - I did presume you were talking about a vehicle coming out from a junction - your post simply said he was letting an artic onto the road.

puppetmaster wrote: »

I personally overtook a guy on the N25 who slowed from 100kp to about 70kph suddenly, wide open road no on coming traffic so i over took him, he was slowing to let an artic out onto the road?? Who's liable there the artic probably. Slow moving traffic in town is where i hang back from the car in front and allow traffic the opportunity to merge. Beyond that its dangerous.

puppetmaster wrote: »

Your going on the assumption it was a junction, it wasn't, My manouver was perfectly legal, and had no adverse concequence as there was no oncoming traffic and i could continue to overtake the vehicle ahead. So i wouldn't condiser my actions "poor driving". The issue was pertaining to the car in front slowing and its legallity. The vehicle infront or the slowing vehicle driving in the hard shoulder and merging when unsafe was legally in the wrong. Im aware of that eitherway. Without reading up on the rules of the road

I don't know why you'd ask about liability then, if there was no adverse consequence to what you did.

In response to your question, the car in front slowing was not illegal.

An unsafe merge by the artic would clearly be wrong. I still don't get why you didn't see the artic in the hard shoulder looking to come onto the road from where you were - I'm not saying he was in the right but I take from your post that you were in some way surprised to come across the artic, having overtaken the guy in front. If there was good clear road ahead - so you wern't on a bend or anything - then all it seems you did was overtake two slower moving vehicles which you could clearly see in front of you

puppetmaster

Reloc8 wrote: »

I don't know why you'd ask about liability then, if there was no adverse consequence to what you did.

In response to your question, the car in front slowing was not illegal.

An unsafe merge by the artic would clearly be wrong. I still don't get why you didn't see the artic in the hard shoulder looking to come onto the road from where you were - I'm not saying he was in the right but I take from your post that you were in some way surprised to come across the artic, having overtaken the guy in front. If there was good clear road ahead - so you wern't on a bend or anything - then all it seems you did was overtake two slower moving vehicles which you could clearly see in front of you

Yeh, it was more of a 'what if' question there was no clear at that moment danger. I saw the artic (tractor unit only) as i moved closer to the vehicle in front (van) as over taking. So the Danger was hypothetical in the sense that if the situation differed slightly, like If it was raining, the over taking driver was less aware. And the fact that the driver of the van obviously didn't check his mirrors before braking i thought it a stupid move on his part.
I guess my point was there should be no real situations where people slow on main road to let other drivers out from a near stop, too dangerous.

Del2005

Vikings wrote: »

Still the driver's fault if he causes the accident though. Regardless of a 'beckon' or not. Bad practice full stop but unfortunately it is very common place on our roads.

To insurance companies they may try and pin some blame on a driver who flashes or waves but that my guess is to try and suit their own pockets over anything else.

If you are the cause of an accident and you cause somebody to be injured, you will be held liable and may be prosecuted for any number of offences under the road traffic act. I have not heard of a defense being successful on the grounds that another person flashed me to let me out.

If somebody 'beckons' you to perform a manoeuvre you are still responsible for performing it. If you have a blind spot and can not be certain nothing is coming then wait. A large proportion of drivers on the roads are simply too damn impatient and that is what causes accidents.

The way that it works is that the person T-Boned sues the vehicle they hit. The car that was "beckoned" out then sues the beckoner as the signal to pull out is assumed to let the person know the road is clear.

If you sit and look at the car while leaving space for them to pull onto the road it's all their fault if they hit someone.

I know too many people who have been through the process and have successfully sued both motorists.

AugustusMinimus

Anan1 wrote: »

I think you're missing the point. The bike still has right of way over the car coming out but the car, having been flashed out by another car, doesn't see the bike and pulls out anyway.

Well then it's clear the driver who doesn't have the right of way's fault.

The driver who left them out can hardly be prosecuted in this instance. The driver who was left out can hardly blame the other driver. Would be akin to the Nuremberg defence.

subway

If someone beckons you out you still have to check to traffic with ight of way on their left.
Whether its bicycle, motorbike, taxi, ambulance, bus, fire engine, etc.
You cross a lane, you cause th accident. Person who beckos you may have some contributory liability but generally your on your own.

Ask any cyclicst or biker how many times they avoid this situation per day and you will see they are doing their best to be aware, but the car that stops a few yards ahead and the car that flies out on his flash catch people from time to time.

Well hung

101sean wrote: »

Anywhere else in the world, headlamp flash is a warning that that you are there and are coming through.

Very true, works quite well I think. I wish it was the same here, would be useful on the m50 to stop idiots pulling into the overtaking lane on you.

eoferrall

draffodx wrote: »

If a cyclist is beside the car then a driver coming out should obviously see them and not pull out as a cyclist is coming along, if the cyclist is behind the car the car's brake lights will give them ample warning that something is changing in the flow of traffic and to adjust their cycling accordingly,thus being well able to stop before putting themselves in danger.

but what if the person just slows by foot of the accelerator? yes I am being pernickety but we all know many drivers do not seem to notice cyclists (though I have noticed a major improvement in recent years.

Often I see the situation (and am well used to so never been knocked off yet, touch wood!) where someone has flashed, or just left a gap and the car pulls out on the assumption nothing coming due to the car letting them out.

But anyways - the thread is about if it's illegal and in this discussion about pulling out etc it's far too general to have a 'right' answer/consensus!

cyclopath2001

eoferrall wrote: »

.But anyways - the thread is about if it's illegal

If there are cars behind, then it's obstruction or 'failing to maintain progress'.

Kotek Besar

cyclopath2001 wrote: »

If there are cars behind, then it's obstruction or 'failing to maintain progress'.

..which is illegal?

Reloc8

Kotek Besar wrote: »

As in, car A flashes his lights to tell car B he can pull out in front of him, even though legally it's car A's right of way.

I've heard before that to give up your right of way like this is actually illegal, though I'm sure most of us do it from time to time, depending on the situation, out of courtesy.

Does anyone know where the law stands on this?

Right so.

It is not illegal unless done in a manner which constitutes dangerous or careless driving, specific offences contrary to S. 53 and S. 52 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended respectively.

If you take it that all Car A does is annoy the cars behind him, then no its not illegal.

If what Car A does is dangerous in some way, then it could be an offence.

Mr. Presentable

corktina wrote: »

I just give the other guy the opportunity to go and let him make the decisions.

Likewise. If there's traffic moving slowly and someone needs out I'll give him the room, but not encourage him out with lights, thumbs or nods

Our man in Havana

Kotek Besar wrote: »

..which is illegal?

Only if you are doing your driving test at the time.

ciotog

Nicolas Glamorous Punch wrote: »

You are moving along in traffic fairly slowly, see a car looking to get out, you slow down a bit more, quick flash of the light to let him know to pull out and a quick salute from them and away they go.

If a motorcyclist or cyclist cannot read that situation or are too busy trying to snake between cars to notice then they shouldn't be out on the road.

You can only read that situation some of the time, bearing in mind that if I'm cycling alongside you I can't see you flash your headlights. If traffic is more or less stationary (i.e. people are stopping, moving a metre or so and stopping again) then I tend to expect that people are going to let cars out so can accommodate that. However, I don't expect it in traffic which is slow moving but continuously moving nor should I have to expect that behaviour. That said, it's not a big issue, drivers flashing other drivers to turn right (across their path) is a much bigger problem because they're often hard to see until they're crossing your path.

ciotog

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

Altough the law is not always right, like the other poster said, bikes should use common sense, the rest of us are going to babysit them, I remember I knocked a girl off her bike when I openned the passanger door because she was cycling too fast on the footpath, she went flying sure but I am sure she came away lesson learned.

Being a motorist also involves common sense, if it is not safe to let someone out of a parking space then dont do it but being polite on the road is important as it stops people from getting stressed out and taking chances to cut in line and all that sort of rat race behaviour that cause accidents.

Both of you were in the wrong: Cyclist shouldn't be on the footpath - it's illegal and you opened your door onto the footway without checking it was clear. It could've just as easily been a pedestrian as an errant cyclist.

Raskolnikov

MidlandsM wrote: »

In the event of a claim, if you "give up" your right of way (i.e. Flash someone and beckon them on), you'll potentially lose out if there's an accident and a claim.......Be carefull.

Source?

I was always told that flashing your lights only ever meant one thing - "Be aware of my presence". Therefore, if you let a driver out in a junction, and a cyclist plows into them, it's not your fault, i.e. the driver you gave way to should have been checking their mirrors/blind spots?

dr.fuzzenstein

I don't care if it's legal or not.
In some spots in cities and busy, slow moving roads, you'd never get out in a million years if people didn't decide "hang on, I'm going to be decent and let that poor sod out, otherwise he'll be there all day"
I also know that if you are being let out (or think you are) and the other car changes his mind and you hit him, it's your own fault, the car that lets you out still has right of way.
I do not understand this attitude of "This Is Illegal, Therefore I'm Not Letting Any Fcuker Out, So Help Me God!". I guess these are the people who leave a gap in traffic and when they see someone pulling out, floor it and follow him beeping and flashing their lights.
I give them a little courtesy four way flash as if to say "Thank You!"
Drives 'em bananas and gives me a good laugh.
This is exactly the same situation as to "I Have Right Of Way On A Motorway, So I Won't Let Any Fcuker Merge!" and "Two Lanes Into One? Not On My Watch Sunshine!"

It's not about the law, it's about courtesy and manners, something which is near absent on Irish roads, it's every man for himself out there.
I drive a lot in Limerick and courteous drivers are definitely outnumbered by Mad Max type drivers.
Go on, after you!:)

Our man in Havana

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Source?

I was always told that flashing your lights only ever meant one thing - "Be aware of my presence". Therefore, if you let a driver out in a junction, and a cyclist plows into them, it's not your fault, i.e. the driver you gave way to should have been checking their mirrors/blind spots?

Correct.

Flashing does not confer right of way. If you foolishly turn when flashed it is your own lookout.

cyclopath2001

Raskolnikov wrote: »

I was always told that flashing your lights only ever meant one thing - "Be aware of my presence". Therefore, if you let a driver out in a junction, and a cyclist plows into them, it's not your fault, i.e. the driver you gave way to should have been checking their mirrors/blind spots?

On the many occasions I've had to avoid cars coming out from sideroads, the offending driver has been too busy blowing kisses at the driver who let him out, to notice my exercising my evasive skills.

I've no problem with a bit of courtesy on the road, but do check your inside before inviting people to pull out.

Del2005

Our man in Havana wrote: »

Correct.

Flashing does not confer right of way. If you foolishly turn when flashed it is your own lookout.

Experience or pub talk?

Plenty of people with successful claims against them would disagree with you.

Our man in Havana

I have been told this by many serving members of the Gardaí.

More like soft insurance companies to pay out.