Moving lanes and indicators!

Mr. G

Hi,

So this is a random one but something I’ve been curious about. I recently got a full license so this isn’t a test question.

On a National Road with a speed limit of 50 km/h, there are two lanes an both ends of the road are junctions. The outer lane is for overtaking. It’s located in a town. It was a busy morning and both lanes were very full.

I was in the outer lane and was waiting for a space to move back to the left side. I indicated left and used my mirrors, continuing to drive at the speed limit and waiting for a gap to move in left safely. Most drivers on this road go at 80/100 km/h even though the limit is 50 km/h. I hadn’t even started to move lane and this lady on the left beside me beeps her horn at me and gawks our her side window. Presumably she thought I was about to drive into her.

Was I in the wrong? How else could I have attempted to move in left?

punisher5112

Mr. G wrote: »

Hi,

So this is a random one but something I’ve been curious about. I recently got a full license so this isn’t a test question.

On a National Road with a speed limit of 50 km/h, there are two lanes an both ends of the road are junctions. The outer lane is for overtaking. It’s located in a town. It was a busy morning and both lanes were very full.

I was in the outer lane and was waiting for a space to move back to the left side. I indicated left and used my mirrors, continuing to drive at the speed limit and waiting for a gap to move in left safely. Most drivers on this road go at 80/100 km/h even though the limit is 50 km/h. I hadn’t even started to move lane and this lady on the left beside me beeps her horn at me and gawks our her side window. Presumably she thought I was about to drive into her.

Was I in the wrong? How else could I have attempted to move in left?

So basically even though they are speeding and you change lane you will be at fault most likely....

If you know you need that lane get in much sooner or obviously break the limit to keep up or get to the roundabout and go all the way around.....

I would suggest getting a dash cam either way....

It can very well be intimidating out there... Such poor driving skills.

punisher5112

Oh not poor by you by the way I'm talking about others that actually shouldn't have a car

Mr. G

punisher5112 wrote: »

So basically even though they are speeding and you change lane you will be at fault most likely....

If you know you need that lane get in much sooner or obviously break the limit to keep up or get to the roundabout and go all the way around.....

I would suggest getting a dash cam either way....

It can very well be intimidating out there... Such poor driving skills.

A dash cam is a good idea. I think she was just incompetent and an aggressive driver

To be honest, I really do wonder if having N plates are safer or if they cause more aggression.

J_R

punisher5112 wrote: »

So basically even though they are speeding and you change lane you will be at fault most likely....

If you know you need that lane get in much sooner or obviously break the limit to keep up or get to the roundabout and go all the way around.....

I would suggest getting a dash cam either way....

It can very well be intimidating out there... Such poor driving skills.

+1

Hi,

She would have assumed that you were lane-hopping. You should maintain lane discipline (and the speed limit) and strive to get into your required lane as soon as possible.

caldew

Why were you in the right hand lane?

Were you forcing yourself in front of the other car?

u140acro3xs7dm

You shouldn't indicate until there is a space to move into. If someone beside me has an indicator on, it tells me they are going to change lanes imminently, not that they are looking for a gap.

J_R

Angelina Powerful Swordfish wrote: »

You shouldn't indicate until there is a space to move into. If someone beside me has an indicator on, it tells me they are going to change lanes imminently, not that they are looking for a gap.

Hi,

That is a dangerous belief. No it doesn't. An Indicator should merely indicate an intention to change lanes/direction. Indicate, then only after you have warned all other traffic of your intentions, if safe, execute.

u140acro3xs7dm

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

That is a dangerous belief. No it doesn't. An Indicator should merely indicate an intention to change lanes/direction. Indicate, then only after you have warned all other traffic of your intentions, if safe, execute.

I disagree, if the space is not there, you don't put on your indicator and expect everyone to move out of your way.

The OP stated that they stuck the indicator on and continued to drive at the speed limit. By the sounds of it, they also know the road well.

When I see a car plodding along with the indicator on, it creates doubt in my mind. Are they just going to move regardless of a gap is available or not? This happens all the time and creates a chain reaction of braking.

Do I need to hang back and let them in? Often I hang back and they are hesitant and don't move.

When you are on a road with multiple lanes, move to the correct lane in plenty of time so you avoid a situation like this, if you don't know the road very well, then stay left.

Mr. G

caldew wrote: »

Why were you in the right hand lane?

Were you forcing yourself in front of the other car?

I was forced into the right lane as I entered this road from this side. Remember, it was very busy that morning in both lanes.

Of course you should always plan ahead, I know this road very well. Surely the only option is to wait for a gap or wait for someone to let you back in? And the only way to do this is to indicate?

MascotDec85

Angelina Powerful Swordfish wrote: »

You shouldn't indicate until there is a space to move into. If someone beside me has an indicator on, it tells me they are going to change lanes imminently, not that they are looking for a gap.

I’ve read your other response below too.

You should signal your intention to change lanes. If you don’t, how do others know what you intend to do? They aren’t mind readers. Of course, I’m a perfect world, we’d do that in a timely manner, but we’re talking about learners here who often haven’t perfected that art.

An example: a pupil on test in Navan should have been in the left most lane but incorrectly selected the right lane. He was then asked to go straight at a roundabout. After the test he told me there was traffic to his left and he couldn’t get into the left lane. I asked him if he signaled left to show his intention to change lane. He didn’t! So, I asked him how the people to his left would know and he agreed they wouldn’t. I went on to explain that instead of going straight ahead on the roundabout from the right lane (a thoroughly deserved grade 3) he should have gone fully around the roundabout and selected his exit. This was the safest and most sensible get out of the situation he found himself in.

tedpan

J_R wrote:

That is a dangerous belief. No it doesn't. An Indicator should merely indicate an intention to change lanes/direction. Indicate, then only after you have warned all other traffic of your intentions, if safe, execute.

You'd think it 'should be' although in my experience, there's a lot of people who start moving as soon as they begin to indicate. They don't even think to use their mirrors and this causes slam ons or even accidents.

J_R

Angelina Powerful Swordfish wrote: »

I disagree, if the space is not there, you don't put on your indicator and expect everyone to move out of your way.

The OP stated that they stuck the indicator on and continued to drive at the speed limit. By the sounds of it, they also know the road well.

When I see a car plodding along with the indicator on, it creates doubt in my mind. Are they just going to move regardless of a gap is available or not? This happens all the time and creates a chain reaction of braking.

Do I need to hang back and let them in? Often I hang back and they are hesitant and don't move.

When you are on a road with multiple lanes, move to the correct lane in plenty of time so you avoid a situation like this, if you don't know the road very well, then stay left.

Hi

the reason I answered your first post, it implied that you believed an indication would be followed immediately by a course change. And you would do similar, indicate-move. Some drivers use indicators to say, I am now turning left/right. Instead they should be used to signal your intention to turn.

My take on indicating, changing lanes

Give a quick obs check to ensure there is nobody dangerously close who might assume that an indicator means I am immediately turning left, panic and slam on the brakes. If no one dangerously close, indicate, then when a safe gap appears, change lanes. This way, everybody has been warned of your intention, perhaps including someone, something you had missed, been completely unaware of.

Regarding above post. When I come across a car indicating left, plodding along in the overtaking lane I would be very very wary. How I would deal with it would depend on numerous factors.

But normally a car in the overtaking lane is going faster than the traffic to their left. And I have no problem whatsoever in allowing them in, even moving to the left if necessary. And I travel at the maximum safe legal speed.

.

K.Flyer

tedpan wrote: »

You'd think it 'should be' although in my experience, there's a lot of people who start moving as soon as they begin to indicate. They don't even think to use their mirrors and this causes slam ons or even accidents.

In my experience a lot of people move and don't indicate.
I believe in early indication.
If you are on a very busy multi-lane and you need to change lanes, you need to indicate to other road users your intention or need to change lanes.
Most courteous drivers will see this and create a space for you to move into, which, after changing lanes, I would thank with a double flash of the hazard lights.

tedpan

K.Flyer wrote:

In my experience a lot of people move and don't indicate. I believe in early indication. If you are on a very busy multi-lane and you need to change lanes, you need to indicate to other road users your intention or need to change lanes. Most courteous drivers will see this and create a space for you to move into, which, after changing lanes, I would thank with a double flash of the hazard lights.

Totally agree with you. I am talking about the many oblivious drivers who indicate then start moving without even looking. The scary thing is most of these lunatics don't realise they are doing anything wrong.