Indicators and lane changes

[slofox]

Once upon a time, I used to believe that if you wanted to change lanes, you signalled ahead of time and then proceeded to change lanes. The object of the exercise being to use the indicators to let other road users know that you intend to change lanes.

Seems I was wrong.

These days, according to my observations over many miles on motorways, the correct way to do this is as follows:

Start to change lanes. When are straddling the lane line, turn on the indicator. Usually for one or two blinks only. This way, following road users will see your lane change and then prepare to deal with an indicator coming on. Which is way more dangerous than a lane change, eh!

[Ulsterkiwi]

actually there are a fair few road users who use the indicator to let you know they already changed lanes, just in case you missed it, sort of a "hey look what I just did!" kind of thing.

Hang on though, before long there will be series of posts to tell you (and me probably) we are softcocks for expecting more. Nothing like a bit of transferred frustration for those chappies

[eldog]

Once upon a time, I used to believe that if you wanted to change lanes, you signalled ahead of time and then proceeded to change lanes. The object of the exercise being to use the indicators to let other road users know that you intend to change lanes.

Seems I was wrong.

These days, according to my observations over many miles on motorways, the correct way to do this is as follows:

Start to change lanes. When are straddling the lane line, turn on the indicator. Usually for one or two blinks only. This way, following road users will see your lane change and then prepare to deal with an indicator coming on. Which is way more dangerous than a lane change, eh!

i thought that way too, I actually use your original method too. Being slow means that I try and find a place to indicate and pull over to let those poor buggers behind pass. Sometimes I get an acknowledgement most often not.

I have noticed that most new vehicle models have indicators for SHOW, esp SUVs.

Has anyone noticed the new indicators with the white lenses are hard to see.

Indicating means acknowledging there are other users on the road too.

Theres also the overtaking cut back, cutting people off after overtaking is also becoming a bad habit again. Its like 'see i am better than you I can show you how powerful I am, so stuff you'
(i toned down the words i would normally use)

Drivers from more rural towns tend to be more forgiving for mistakes I make.

[slofox]

Theres also the overtaking cut back, cutting people off after overtaking is also becoming a bad habit again.

That's No 2 rant from me...

Two second rule? My arse. I'm the only person on the planet who takes notice of that. And yes, the overtakers seem to think it's fine to cut in about 0.2 nanoseconds ahead of whatever they pass.

Mind you, it means I get to use the Stebel superhorn a lot!

[eldog]

That's No 2 rant from me...

Two second rule? My arse. I'm the only person on the planet who takes notice of that. And yes, the overtakers seem to think it's fine to cut in about 0.2 nanoseconds ahead of whatever they pass.

Mind you, it means I get to use the Stebel superhorn a lot!

I even know of group mbike rides where the overtaking bike brakes as they finish the overtaking manoeuvre. So you goto be careful to check if you are following. (I dont ride with this group and my bike has barely enough to overtake anyway)

youve reminded me to refit the stebel, thats the next project.

[slofox]

I even know of group mbike rides where the overtaking bike brakes as they finish the overtaking manoeuvre. So you goto be careful to check if you are following. (I dont ride with this group)

youve reminded me to refit the stebel, thats the next project.

I never brake after overtaking. If I've had to accelerate to 180 to get past, I just shut off the throttle and wait until the speed drops off...No sense in wasting momentum y'know.

Oh and in case anyone is wondering, I only get up to that speed if there are three cars at 80km, following each other at 0.2 nanosecond intervals. As happened today as a matter of fact.

[eldog]

I never brake after overtaking. If I've had to accelerate to 180 to get past, I just shut off the throttle and wait until the speed drops off...No sense in wasting momentum y'know.

Oh and in case anyone is wondering, I only get up to that speed if there are three cars at 80km, following each other at 0.2 nanosecond intervals. As happened today as a matter of fact.

Hahahaha, the only time i get to 180 is when i weigh the bike with me on it & full of fuel.
its the only time i get to more than 100 too.

100 is a limit for the bike, which i am quite happy with at present. Unless its downhill and the wind is behind. My ability (lack) limits who i ride with.

[SVboy]

Hi slowfox. Got to ride your Raglan road for the first time today. Nice, if a little busy.

[Moi]

Guys, how foolish of us all!

I was taught that an indicator was to show your intention to change lanes / turn when it was safe to do so, especially after checking mirrors and shoulder check... I now realise that I was mis-taught and have wasted so many indicator flashes and mirror checks over the years. Silly me!

Add to your list: tail gaters...

[Voltaire]

I never brake after overtaking. If I've had to accelerate to 180 to get past, I just shut off the throttle and wait until the speed drops off...No sense in wasting momentum y'know.

Oh and in case anyone is wondering, I only get up to that speed if there are three cars at 80km, following each other at 0.2 nanosecond intervals. As happened today as a matter of fact.

Oh no....your doing it wrong. As the overtaking lane starts you pull out and by doing 1-4 kmph faster than the vehicle your overtaking you get past just as the overtaking lane ends.
If you plan it well no other vehicles get past.
For best results a truck or SUV with a trailer ( its a myth they can only do 90, I've seen container trucks on the outside lane on the motorway)

[slofox]

Hi slowfox. Got to ride your Raglan road for the first time today. Nice, if a little busy.

'tis best ridden early or midday on a week day. I avoided it today for said traffic reasons.

[slofox]

Oh no....your doing it wrong. As the overtaking lane starts you pull out and by doing 1-4 kmph faster than the vehicle your overtaking you get past just as the overtaking lane ends.
If you plan it well no other vehicles get past.
For best results a truck or SUV with a trailer ( its a myth they can only do 90, I've seen container trucks on the outside lane on the motorway)

I blame this on the advent of cruise control. Everybody so sooooo scared of going over the limit, that they stick with the fucking cruise control and attain the results you so accurately describe.

Personally, all bullshit aside, I hate to be on the wrong side of the road. So I do crack it past and get back to my side of the road and a sensible (whatever that is) speed ASAP. No apologies for busting the limit for a couple seconds whilst so doing. Seems to have worked for me for the last 46 years or so.

[R650R]

Probably truck drivers. When your on the big gear at night passing a colleague the last thing he needs is a great big set of Hella LEDs strobing his night vision five seconds before you pull back in.
Most just a give a one flick thank you as pulling in or after. My signature flick was a LRLR flick after passing.
On the bike I'll often do the same after a friendly handwave.
And in Auckland you never wanna give away intel to a lane hog that your trying to get across, just do it

[PrincessBandit]

It's much more fun trying to guess what other road users are going to do! Just like it's much more fun waiting at an intersection to give way to someone only to find you didn't have to as they were turning.


NOT

Masturbators. (Since it would be unseemly for me to use the "w" word)

[Jantar]

I have also noticed some strange habits regarding indicators and giving way, partularly at roundabouts in Hamilton.

Here are a few that I noticed quite regularly.

1. Vehicle approaches a two lane roundabout in the left lane, indicating a left turn, then gives way to vehicles in the right hand lane of the roundabout who are either turning right or going straight ahead
2. Vehicle approaches a two lane roundabout in the left lane, indicating a left turn, then goes straight through (even saw a bus do this one).
3. Vehicle approaches a roundabout, indicating a right hand turn, but after passing a single exit, indicates left and leaves the roundabout effectively going straight ahead.
4. Vehicle approaches a two lane roundabout, in the right lane, indicating a right hand turn, but as soon as the turn is completed swings into the left lane without even indicating that they are leaving the roundabout, let alone changing lanes as well.
5. My favourite, but this one is legal. A vehicle (4 wheels so not a motorbike) lane splits on approach to a two lane roundabout, that would normally be a T intersection so 3 roads joining, then indicates right and pulls into the right hand lane. Once in the roundabout, goes all the way around 270 degrees and indicates left to correctly exit in the same direction as the 50 vehicles still waiting to turn left. Probably 40 of those 50 vehicles are guilty of observation 1.