Indicators, and their uses.

[slofox]

Two things about indicators...

1. When two lanes merge into one, like at the end of a passing lane f'rinstance, some people indicate to show they are merging and some don't. Wotcha reckon, good idea or bad idea?
Me, I think its obvious that the bloody lanes are merging so indicators oughta be redundant. But then I'm too old to know shit anyway...your opinions please.

2. This one really bugs shit outa me. You're on a multi lane road . You come up behind a truck in the LH lane. You are just moving into the RH lane to overtake said truck and the truckie suddenly flicks on his RH indicator to acknowledge another truckie coming the other way. There is that arse-clenching nanosecond when you see the light flick on, just as you move to pass the truck and you are instantly ten years older. OK the indicator only flicks briefly but it stills scares me when it happens. Maybe they just oughta flick their headlights instead...anyone else hate this? Seems to me that indicators are for indicating what you are about to do with your vehicle so that other road users can get out of your way...NOT to say "Hi!" to your mates on the road...burn 'em I reckon...

[Mikkel]

1.

I agree completely.


2.

Just like plenty of motorists doesn't bother with using their indicators - there are also plenty who doesn't bother following up on their indicated intentions.


Incorrect use of indicators is bad mkay...

However, I actually think using the indicators where you shouldn't is slightly more concerning that not using them where you should.

[NighthawkNZ]

1.
Doesn't bother me either way...


2.
Wrong use of Indicators agreed

[MaxB]

Point 1. I would always indicate before changing lanes or direction. I don't think you can assume anything about other road users. Not using indicators is another example of crap driving.

Point 2. Truckies should not do their indicator dance but its all part of that trucker brotherhood thing. They have signals for all sorts. It will be hard to stop. Plus my experience of truckies is a positive one, they have helped me out more often than not especially late at night. Heaps of safe to overtake signals.

Most drivers regard indicators as the same as the winking lights on their Christmas trees. Only use them a few weeks a year.

[MSTRS]

1.
I think it is a good idea to use them here. If only as a courtesy.



2.
Never had a 'moment' as described, but I can certainly appreciate the sudden skyrocketing heart rate. On reflection, I agree truckies need to find another 'wave'

[Oakie]

1. Annoys me. To me it's like saying "I'm coming across, get out of my way"

2. Haven't struck it myself

[Max Preload]

1.

As obvious as it might be, you should still indicate so it becomes just as obvious to the fuckwits you are forced to share the road with - for all you know they think you're one of them!


2.

It's a fucking stupid practice and the cops should hammer it.

[Maha]

Surely the truck thing a night time only occurance?
And I would always line up a truck (in a two lane situation) ages before I pass it.

[slofox]

Surely the truck thing a night time only occurance?

Nah - seen it all times of the day...

[Mschvs]

Point 1 - if you have just passed a car, and it is still within 50m behind you, I would indicate, otherwise nope! Always assume other people on the road are idiots ... it's safer that way!

Point 2 - Yeah, I think it's stupid of them to use their indicators to do this, either headlights, or why don't they install a "Hello, I'm Driving a Truck TOO' sign on the front that they can flick on and off!! Or "Hi, Want to have a Gay Encounter at a truck stop later?" sign on the front!!

Don't they have frikkin radios to talk to each other on anyway ... why don't they just do that!!

[Mschvs]

Nah - seen it all times of the day...

Happens day as night as far as i've seen!

[MarkH]

Two things about indicators...

1. When two lanes merge into one, like at the end of a passing lane f'rinstance, some people indicate to show they are merging and some don't. Wotcha reckon, good idea or bad idea?
Me, I think its obvious that the bloody lanes are merging so indicators oughta be redundant. But then I'm too old to know shit anyway...your opinions please.

2. burn 'em I reckon...

1. - I don't really care either way because the intention is obvious with or without the indicators - no biggie.

2. Yep - burn 'em. Maybe *555 them and complain about illegal use of indicators. Honestly I feel that indicating when not turning is just stupid and unsafe - indicators have a purpose which shouldn't be ignored and they definitely should not be used when not turning or changing lanes.

I also feel that drivers should use their indicators even when there is no one around to see them. Since car drivers can't see motorcycles there is always a chance that there IS someone around to see the indicators.

[Maha]

Two things about indicators...

1. When two lanes merge into one, like at the end of a passing lane f'rinstance, some people indicate to show they are merging and some don't. Wotcha reckon, good idea or bad idea?
Me, I think its obvious that the bloody lanes are merging so indicators oughta be redundant. But then I'm too old to know shit anyway...your opinions please.

2. Seems to me that indicators are for indicating what you are about to do with your vehicle so that other road users can get out of your way...NOT to say "Hi!" to your mates on the road...

So merging 2 with 1, would it be in your best interest that a vehicle indicate its intention at the end of a passing lane if you are a few meters back in the passinig lane?
Place yourself as another road user using a passing lane for what its intended for, and a Vehicle in front of you in the left hand lane merges into your lane without indicating, when you about one car length away? that may piss you off yes?

[MadDuck]

On reflection, I agree truckies need to find another 'wave'

...you could teach them the 'KB' wave?

[Maha]

...you could teach them the 'KB' wave?

How does the webbed feet wave go again??...:sweatdrop

[BMWST?]

re truckies an indicators....sometimes they use them even more obtusely...they might flick on the right one when they reckon its safe for you to pass,or flick the left to indicate dont......or is it the other way round.....?

[Squid]

1.


Yep its a crock of shit but I was instructed to do that when I went for my full (class 1) test a couple of years ago. I asked why and was told "your merging so need to do the full check mirrors and blind spot and indicate" (never seen anyone turn there head though. Myself included :pinch:



2.


You need a summet bigger than a 650 to get past them quicker then ;)
Agree though, seems abit odd. A truckie should be able to recognize another truck on the road.

[slofox]

You need a summet bigger than a 650 to get past them quicker then ;)
.

I think I'll get a Daytona 675...some 70% more power for roughly the same size and weight...:drool:

[PrincessBandit]

Point 1 - doesn't bother me one way or the other, and I seldom indicate when it's obvious the lanes are mergering (unless there's an idiot coming up fast on my right hip). And yeah, seems to be one of those "do when you're sitting your licence" sort of thing, but not a biggie otherwise.

Point 2 - have never noticed it for the purposes of acknowledging another truckie (seen plenty of bus drivers wave to each other though). I have been behind trucks on a few occasions where they've indicated but their meaning "it's safe for you to get past me now" has eluded my awareness until too late usually. I see that indicator and it always says to me "this truck/car/bus is about to pull out to the right - don't try to get past at this moment". I find it confusing that they do it as an "all clear to pass" when it's highly risky to assume that's what they're meaning. Prefer to just sit behind them and have them think I'm an imbecile.

[Squid]

I think I'll get a Daytona 675...some 70% more power for roughly the same size and weight...:drool:

and have to live wh having an uneven number of cylinders when you ride :buggerd: :gob:

[YellowDog]

Point 1:
I always indicate out of courtesy and also to let the vehicle behind that I expect them to give way.

Point 2:
Arse clenching is never any fun and this trucker habbit is extremely annoying.

However this is not as bad as when you are between two passing trucks who suddenly recognise each other. When they acknowledge each other with their high powered airhorns. Faaaaaaaarrkkk. No time to clench arse. Torpedo engaged. If noone actually did put a 'meat pie' on my seat before I got on my bike - I''m in big trouble!

[Ixion]

Two things about indicators...

1. When two lanes merge into one, like at the end of a passing lane f'rinstance, some people indicate to show they are merging and some don't. Wotcha reckon, good idea or bad idea?
Me, I think its obvious that the bloody lanes are merging so indicators oughta be redundant. But then I'm too old to know shit anyway...your opinions please.

2. This one really bugs shit outa me. You're on a multi lane road . You come up behind a truck in the LH lane. You are just moving into the RH lane to overtake said truck and the truckie suddenly flicks on his RH indicator to acknowledge another truckie coming the other way. There is that arse-clenching nanosecond when you see the light flick on, just as you move to pass the truck and you are instantly ten years older. OK the indicator only flicks briefly but it stills scares me when it happens. Maybe they just oughta flick their headlights instead...anyone else hate this? Seems to me that indicators are for indicating what you are about to do with your vehicle so that other road users can get out of your way...NOT to say "Hi!" to your mates on the road...burn 'em I reckon...

I don't usually indicate when merging, but I will if tehre is someone close enough behind me that he could be a problem. Don't want "Yeah I saw you but I didn't think you'd move over so soon. I thought I'd have time to get past you before you started merging". But then, that may be just because I go so slow. The truckie thing doesn't worry me. They use both indicators(either simultaneously or quickly in sequence) as a "tank you" signal, too. had that one a lot. i do the same. Once again, when you ride as slow as me, overtaking isn't an issue. Speed kills. this I know, for the gubbermint tells me so.

[slofox]

and have to live wh having an uneven number of cylinders when you ride :buggerd: :gob:

I've always been an odd bastard...

[Rosie]

I'll indicate when merging if there are other vehicles close by. A lot of people seem to have little idea of how to merge, or what to do at the end of a passing lane, so I can't assume that they know exactly what I'm doing.
I tend to err on the side of caution and indicate things that I probably don't need to, but I've had a lot of close calls with people doing random unindicated things that obviously seemed unworthy of indication to them :crazy:

[MSTRS]

re truckies an indicators....sometimes they use them even more obtusely...they might flick on the right one when they reckon its safe for you to pass,or flick the left to indicate dont......or is it the other way round.....?

Left is to suggest they are turning off/pulling over = pass. Right is to suggest they are passing/turning off = don't pass.

[Badjelly]

Two things about indicators...

Thing number 1 was discussed at some length in this thread

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=92913

The consensus was that the driver in the lane that terminates should indicate. I disagreed, partly out of general disagreeableness, but also because quite often the distinction between the terminating and non-terminating lane is not clear. I even quoted the Road Code

RE merging, the Road Code describes several merging situations:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/about-driving/merging.html

The first one shows two "equal" lanes merging. It says "merge like a zip" and doesn't mention indicating or any difference in priority between the two lanes.

The second and thrid show a lane in which traffic that has just joined the road is merging into the main flow. It says the traffic on the merging lane has to indicate and adjust speed to fit into gaps.

The discussion convinced me that I probably should indicate more often. But I still don't.

[johan]

I would say the reason for indicating in the first place is to show your fellow motorists your intention, because obviously they can't read your mind.
To say I indicate only if I know someone is behind me can be a dangerous one.
It's the occasions when you think you're alone but there's a vehicle behind you that you haven't spotted, that will get you in trouble.

Always indicate and look over your shoulder, no matter if you think you're alone or not when changing lanes.

my 2c....

[pzkpfw]

I hate the reverse of point 1.

There's a bit just North of Wellington where 3 lanes becomes 2 on SH1 (Tawa) and 2 on SH2 (Hut valley). People in the middle lane sometimes indicate left or right when they get to the bit where the road splits.

Pointless.

And when I'm on the left of that person and they indicate left I don't know if they expect to come into my lane, or if they are just doing that pointless indicating.

It's worse where the road forces you to move. I see people in the left hand lane going past the stadium, stay in the left lane as they get to the bit where the road veers left to go under the South-bound lanes and then to the ferry or onto SH1 - and they indicate left to let you know they are not about to make their car jump 5 metres into the air to the right-hand lane instead.

Bah.

(I fully agree with always indicating - where needed - even if you think you are alone. Practice means you won't forget the one time you really needed someone to see you.)

[Max Preload]

Yep its a crock of shit but I was instructed to do that when I went for my full (class 1) test a couple of years ago. I asked why and was told "your merging so need to do the full check mirrors and blind spot and indicate" (never seen anyone turn there head though. Myself included :pinch:

I ALWAYS check my blind spot and indicate. It's reflex and should be in any driver.


1. Annoys me. To me it's like saying "I'm coming across, get out of my way"

What an extremely strange take on what is actually courteous and considerate driving. :crazy:


Point 1 - if you have just passed a car, and it is still within 50m behind you, I would indicate, otherwise nope! Always assume other people on the road are idiots ... it's safer that way!

No need to assume anymore - you've just confirmed it...


Point 1 - doesn't bother me one way or the other, and I seldom indicate when it's obvious the lanes are mergering (unless there's an idiot coming up fast on my right hip).


I'll indicate when merging if there are other vehicles close by.

Indicating isn't just for the vehicles you've seen - it's also for the ones you may not have seen. How is anyone going to know you're deviating from your current path if you don't signal your intention... ES fuck'n P?

[Badjelly]

There's a bit just North of Wellington where 3 lanes becomes 2 on SH1 (Tawa) and 2 on SH2 (Hut valley). People in the middle lane sometimes indicate left or right when they get to the bit where the road splits. Pointless. And when I'm on the left of that person and they indicate left I don't know if they expect to come into my lane, or if they are just doing that pointless indicating.

:Oops: I usually indicate very briefly there if I'm going to Tawa. I see your point. I shall reconsider my actions.

[Squid]

I ALWAYS check my blind spot and indicate. It's reflex and should be in any driver.


plenty of things should be reflex. If theres no cars about though I dont. Admititly theres more vehicles about the place in aucks.
Good on ya.

[grusomhat]

plenty of things should be reflex. If theres no cars about though I dont. Admititly theres more vehicles about the place in aucks.
Good on ya.

How do you know there's no cars about without doing a full check anyway? That one always got me.

[Skyryder]

Any information that you can give other road users of your intentions has gota be a good thing.


Skyryder

[Squid]

How do you know there's no cars about without doing a full check anyway? That one always got me.

Mirrors.
If after the last 15 min you havnt seen anything in your mirrors you can be pretty sure theres not someone sneaking up behind you. And yes checking in my mirrors is a reflex. Go to check them when Im walking down the road sometimes :Oops:

[grusomhat]

Mirrors.
If after the last 15 min you havnt seen anything in your mirrors you can be pretty sure theres not someone sneaking up behind you. And yes checking in my mirrors is a reflex. Go to check them when Im walking down the road sometimes :Oops:

Over the last couple of days I've tried checking my wing mirrors on my pushbike so you're not alone.

[XRVrider]

1. The lanes going from 2 to 1 in town usually do not have a dividing line like, say, at the beginning of a passing lane on the highway, so with that in mind, who would have to indicate, neither me thinks, and we can all see the end of the 2 lanes coming up so need to be on the case and merge together like a zip anyway (so says the road code) On the highway you have to indicate into the passing lane as there is that dotted line, who indicates at the end, the inside lane coming out? Seems wrong to me but lots do it, maybe for courtesy, but allowances should be made by drivers to merge safely, indicators or not. Basically not drive like a twat and be courteous, not like the idiots who never let anyone in front of them and block lanes to stay one car in front... sigh.

[The Stranger]

Two things about indicators...

1. When two lanes merge into one, like at the end of a passing lane f'rinstance, some people indicate to show they are merging and some don't. Wotcha reckon, good idea or bad idea?


2. This one really bugs shit outa me. You're on a multi lane road . You come up behind a truck in the LH lane.

1) Good idea because.
A) Any chance to indicate on a bike should be taken - flashing lights allow dim wits to see you.
B) Always indicate your intent where possible. Indicate for those you didn't see as well as for those you do see.
C) A lot of accidents/near misses happen at the end of passing lanes as the end of lane sign may be obscured from view of the passing vehicle by a truck or simply the passing driver's concentration is elsewhere.
D) It signals to those following that hey, maybe now is NOT a good time to be commencing your overtake manoeuvre - or you may have to cut me off - or it may signal that they in fact have plenty of time.


2) Get over it.

[ric007]

I drive for a trucking company in ch ch and regularly come across bike's wanting past, i normally shimy my truck an trailer over onto the side line to give them room to pass...as i've noticed are more car drivers... mainly from my bike.
bout the indicater "wave" i don't do it cause cars an bikes wanting past think it's a signal that the road ahead is clear even though they cant see, eg rain etc.
But a whole lot of others do, it's just a "hello" we normally wave as we pass in the day time much as we do when on the bikes.
Like most of the other posts i've read ride your bike like everyones out to kill you, thats how i drive my truck, cause if i hit someone i'm not likley to come off second best.