Viking01
20th May 2018, 17:18
Two interesting little events today involving indicators and basic driver
awareness.
1. In the first case, we were going down to the supermarket this morning
(being chauffeured by SWMBO) and we were approaching a round-about in
Petone. Good visibility all around, and right across the round-about.
A chap on a V-Strom 1000 was approaching from the opposite side (at the
same time as we were), and we each went around our respective sides of
the round-about at approx the same time.
He clearly turned on his indicator prior to entering the round-about,
and he turned and came around behind our tail as we went through.
After we had gotten into the carpark, SWMBO said to me "That was a
surprise. I didn't see him indicating to go around the round-about".
"Well, my dear, he started indicating before entering the intersection,
and was indicating all the way around".
"Are you sure? I didn't see an indicator".
"Well, where were you looking ?", I replied. "The indicators are located
to the sides of the headlight, and I can assure you he was indicating".
"I'll take your word for it" (getting the last word in ..... 8-)
When we got home, I pointed out the location of the front indicators
on the VFR to SWMBO. I'm not sure if I won any brownie points doing
so ... 8-)
But maybe some car drivers are not conditioned to look for indicators on
motorcycles, or maybe they do not find them that visible.
2. In the second case, I had to go down to the Hutt in the afternoon to
do some more shopping. In the carpark, I stopped right on the tee of a
controlled T-intersection (waiting to turn into a two way passage way).
Another driver was just coming to the end of the lane, wanting to turn
right and exit. The ground at the end of the lane in front of him was
clearly marked STOP - and so yield right of way.
I was already positioned there, and my indicator was on (indicating that
I wanted to turn in).
Well, b@#$%r me, he then suddenly pulled across onto the RIGHT hand
side of the passage way (blocking me turning in), but all the time yapping
away to his wife.
Effectively behaving as if my car was not even there. Hello !!
He sat there and yapped away for about 10 seconds, and then when a
gap did open up, he then simply pulled out to his right - fully across in
front of me - but at no time even looking to his left to check for any
traffic.
He was fortunate that I was watching, and that I wasn't in any hurry.
It didn't stress me at all (surprised more than anything), but I did have
to wonder exactly where his attention was focused during that whole
manoeuvre.
Maybe he was "getting some instruction", and could do only one thing
at a time.
Maybe I need an SUV, with bull bars ..... 8-)
awareness.
1. In the first case, we were going down to the supermarket this morning
(being chauffeured by SWMBO) and we were approaching a round-about in
Petone. Good visibility all around, and right across the round-about.
A chap on a V-Strom 1000 was approaching from the opposite side (at the
same time as we were), and we each went around our respective sides of
the round-about at approx the same time.
He clearly turned on his indicator prior to entering the round-about,
and he turned and came around behind our tail as we went through.
After we had gotten into the carpark, SWMBO said to me "That was a
surprise. I didn't see him indicating to go around the round-about".
"Well, my dear, he started indicating before entering the intersection,
and was indicating all the way around".
"Are you sure? I didn't see an indicator".
"Well, where were you looking ?", I replied. "The indicators are located
to the sides of the headlight, and I can assure you he was indicating".
"I'll take your word for it" (getting the last word in ..... 8-)
When we got home, I pointed out the location of the front indicators
on the VFR to SWMBO. I'm not sure if I won any brownie points doing
so ... 8-)
But maybe some car drivers are not conditioned to look for indicators on
motorcycles, or maybe they do not find them that visible.
2. In the second case, I had to go down to the Hutt in the afternoon to
do some more shopping. In the carpark, I stopped right on the tee of a
controlled T-intersection (waiting to turn into a two way passage way).
Another driver was just coming to the end of the lane, wanting to turn
right and exit. The ground at the end of the lane in front of him was
clearly marked STOP - and so yield right of way.
I was already positioned there, and my indicator was on (indicating that
I wanted to turn in).
Well, b@#$%r me, he then suddenly pulled across onto the RIGHT hand
side of the passage way (blocking me turning in), but all the time yapping
away to his wife.
Effectively behaving as if my car was not even there. Hello !!
He sat there and yapped away for about 10 seconds, and then when a
gap did open up, he then simply pulled out to his right - fully across in
front of me - but at no time even looking to his left to check for any
traffic.
He was fortunate that I was watching, and that I wasn't in any hurry.
It didn't stress me at all (surprised more than anything), but I did have
to wonder exactly where his attention was focused during that whole
manoeuvre.
Maybe he was "getting some instruction", and could do only one thing
at a time.
Maybe I need an SUV, with bull bars ..... 8-)