Indicators and lane changes

[eldog]

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.

apart from the obvious-lack of space/visibility etc, I agree with sensible overtaking speed, got no problems with that. Yes I have seen the crawl past and the frustration that occurs after (indicators not necessary the ones on the front and rear of the vehicle.

If I cant keep a decent speed on the bike, car or truck I try and make it easy for following drivers to see and use opportunities to pass.

I think sensible overtaking speed for the manouevre is OK, busting the limit may be required.
Its just explaining that to the blue team that may be a hassle. (they used to more reasonable, now with so many aholes about they just hammer everyone and yes a good attitude does help)

[TheDemonLord]

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.

I am sure that this was either in the NZ road code at one point or is a rule in the UK (you indicate onto the roundabout, then indicate off of it)

[slofox]

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.

Re 1 above:

The vehicles you mention in the right hand lane are likely to go anywhere in any roundabout at any time. Hence the caution of waiting until the buggers have gone.

Te Tron should be called Roundabout City since there are so many of them. Pity so few know how to use them correctly. And, as you so rightly observe, know how to use indicators at roundabouts.

Incidentally, indicator use at roundabouts was to be No. 3 in my rant series...which I don't have to post now since you have so capably described it for me.

[Jantar]

I am sure that this was either in the NZ road code at one point or is a rule in the UK (you indicate onto the roundabout, then indicate off of it)

I don't recall this ever being in the New Zealand Road Code, but I believe you may be correct about it being normal in Europe.

[eldog]

Jantar, you will see bigger trucks esp with trailers covering both lanes, some just dont have the turning capacity for the intersection - I was a passenger in my first one as a passenger getting instruction, thought WTF we are in the right hand lane turning left (2 laned road) All became obvious during the turn.

I tend to give way to all oncoming vehicles in AKL because you cant tell what they will do as the approach. I try and indicate immediately after the exit PRIOR to the one I want to use to give others as much a chance. Theres a few roundabouts up here with 2 lanes that make oncoming vehicles appear to be turning left even though they are going straight, had a few near misses with that one

[quickbuck]

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.

Oh, that was you?

I thought it was just somebody who couldn't find the middle position of their indicators......

[Maha]

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.

Agree, use the quick acceleration of your bike to get past, job done, bikes can pass quicker and in less space than any other vehicle. Always be aware of side roads/farm drive ways etc, when looking to be on the other side of the road at speed, some drivers will try to get out in front of oncoming traffic and that could prove awkward if they end up where you are.
I had this scenario on the Western Access road today with two Milk Tankers travelling together at 80-85kph.

[eldog]

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

a while back i was travelling a lot at night and early mornings in the countryside, really appreciated the way truckies indicated possibilities to pass. now days that attitude seems to have changed, pity.....

i guessed most people got confused. they get confused quite easily then switch off.
indicators what are they?

and yes i try to wave or nod my head, to fellow bikers, but that appears to be another thing thats being phased out too. (society is becoming more about moi)

[eldog]

Agree, use the quick acceleration of your bike to get past.

LOL, took me a kilometre+ to pass someone today, must have missed the quick button on the scorpio. Maybe its an option extra, as there no indicator for it that Ive noticed.

[R650R]

a while back i was travelling a lot at night and early mornings in the countryside, really appreciated the way truckies indicated possibilities to pass. now days that attitude seems to have changed, pity.....

The problem is more that people new to NZ don't know about these unwritten coutesys. So what happens is you flick they don't pass, then someone in car comments or they realise your signals meaning... but by then its no longer safe to pass... And then there are the legal ramifications in the day of dashcam of signalling someone to pass and what happens if they stuff it up or the situation changes. Also with modern plasticky vehoicles accidently blips seem more common so who do you trust.... I've been left hanging out to dry by an experienced trucker once who accidently blipped his indicator... it would have been a safe pass if intentional and he backed off the power like you do... lucky for both of us nothing was coming.
My last self approved method when on linehaul was to pull left of the fog line about a foot or so, indicate left and scrub off ten km/h.

Never ever 100% trust someones elses signals, I know of a colleague signalled to pass via CB/voice communication by a truck ahead on the Tirau-Rotorua rd, once committed he got the word shit someones coming and it was too late. Lucky the worst of it was him losing his job and a $150 fine and one very frightened nurse driving home from night shift.

[Maha]

LOL, took me a kilometre+ to pass someone today, must have missed the quick button on the scorpio. Maybe its an option extra, as there no indicator for it that Ive noticed.

I see the dilemma, the mighty GN had the same 'I think I can' mentality also. Your 1250 however....WOW!

[eldog]

linehaul was to pull left of the fog line about a foot or so, indicate left and scrub off ten km/hr

Never ever 100% trust someones elses signals

I do the pull over and slow down trick, sometimes I have to stop when on the bike. Rather have them in front than monstering me from behind. Let them become someone else problem I dont need the stress. Use indicators and brake lights usually does the trick, although some people are slow......

being on a lesser powerful bike, you appreciate how defenseless/helpless you really are. You got to think smarter and take action to preserve you OWN neck.

Got a bit complacient a while back about indicators...... no damage but I am just a bit more careful. Guy coming from my right, looks at corner, indicates slows down to corner then just continues on.... OMG

[eldog]

I see the dilemma, the mighty GN had the same 'I think I can' mentality also. Your 1250 however....WOW!

1250 a bridge too far I fear.....

[caseye]

Without looking it up,here in NZ. I'm pretty sure that anyone who indicates ONTO a roundabout is doing it Wrong.IE: It's fucking illegal, to indicate onto a roundabout.
You are supposed to know where you are going and be in the appropriate lane ( of course this presupposes you know what you're doing)on a two laned roundabout.
Then once on the roundabout and in the correct(again presupposing you know what you're doing)lane, you are then supposed to indicate your intention to exit at whichever of the exists is the one you! want.
Could be wrong, don't think so though.
Always use indicators to alert those lerts behind me what I'm up too, makes so much sense to me to have them somewhere else to where I'm going to be.
Use your eyes, ears and smidsey people, this way your roundabout experiences will be fruitful and you WILL get where you're going.

[cs363]

Without looking it up,here in NZ. I'm pretty sure that anyone who indicates ONTO a roundabout is doing it Wrong.IE: It's fucking illegal, to indicate onto a roundabout.
You are supposed to know where you are going and be in the appropriate lane ( of course this presupposes you know what you're doing)on a two laned roundabout.
Then once on the roundabout and in the correct(again presupposing you know what you're doing)lane, you are then supposed to indicate your intention to exit at whichever of the exists is the one you! want.
Could be wrong, don't think so though.
Always use indicators to alert those lerts behind me what I'm up too, makes so much sense to me to have them somewhere else to where I'm going to be.
Use your eyes, ears and smidsey people, this way your roundabout experiences will be fruitful and you WILL get where you're going.

Here's the rules (attached)