I've got my blinker on - I've got the right of way!

I think I've found a new thing to be my number one pet hate.

People who truly, utterly, and completely believe that they have the right
of way to move into your lane (over the top of you no less) just because
they have their blinker on.

Every morning I get some idiot or another doing it (the Woodville Rd, Church
St, M4, Parra Rd intersection is notorious for it).

They want to merge left, into my lane. They look (well, there is some saving
grace). See me there. Put there blinker on. And begin to move over. Then
when I honk etc, they look at me as if to say "What are you honking me for
you crazy bastard. Didn't you see my blinker? Clearly I have the right of
way."

I've even had a guy pull up next to me at the lights before, and tell me how
lucky I was he didn't hit me. "You would have had to pay for all the
damage." he said. "My blinker was on, I had the right of way."

 

In aus.motorcycles on Mon, 16 Aug 2004 14:01:37 +1000

Was thinkig about this this morning, watching people do the sydney thing
of zoom up the inside to the parked car then reef hard right.

That there is legally no such thing as "right of way", but only duty to
give way is true but almost unknown.


You both have a duty to avoid a crash, he also has a duty not to change
lanes unless its safe to do so.

Your chances of enforcing this unless you are a Big Truck is minimal,
such is life in the modern roadsafety environment...

Zebee

 

It's not a new thing for me. This has been pissing me off for years.
Just because they have a blinker flashing they think they have the
right of way. Anywhere!

In NZ the rule is that you may change lanes using the indicator and
only if there is sufficient room (between the traffic in the lane you
intend moving to) without causing hassle to other drivers.

Not sure what the Aussie/VIC rules are, but when I'm in the van, with
the frontal threatening bullbars, I don't give 'em space, but on the
bike I preserve myself by being alert enough to brake if/when they
start to cross over into my space.

Arseholes, the lot of 'em.

Very few of them will allow bikes space, but the ones who do, I always
give them a thumbs up thank you.

Kind regards
Dave Milligan

 

In the UK where I learnt the following was drummed into me -

Mirror, Signal, Manouver

(And it doesn't mean look into mirror - then signal - it meant look into
mirror and then if it is safe signal!).

Stan

 

Mirror, Signal, Manouver

Wouldn't signal be better off going earlier? If you signal _just_ before you
manouver, you aren't giving people long enough to see it and react before
you have moved. What if you missed something when you "mirrored"?

 

Signal first. Always signal first. *Then* check for safety. If it's not safe, keep the indicator on
while checking for safety.

The turn indicators are there to warn people of your intentions to turn or change lanes. As such
they should be used well before the actual move is made so that other road users are well aware that
you're going to try and make the move.

 

You think that's bad? Replace said car with Statesman and trailer. I've
given up getting/staying angry over these lunatics (albeit after some
colourful stress relieving language that I'd never use in front of polite
company).
All you can do is check your mirrors and haul back/out of their way. To them
you'll be a *kathump*. To you it'll be a lot worse.
People should be taught that driving/riding is a privilege, not a right. All
this crap happens with it's seen as a right.

TB
(The guy in the statesman was in no hurry to get out of the way either..
even after I horned)

 

James Mayfield said....

And my pet hate are those who ignore your indication to merge and refuse
to allow you room to move over.

One's as bad as the other.

 

Hey don't ask me - better minds than mine came up with this (The british
equ of the RTA ).

I think it means look in the mirror
If something coming or not safe sit tight
else
turn on indicators
{Then I reackon there should be another mirror step here...)
Then manouver

Stan

 

Im finding of late kicking the rear vision mirror off doesn't always
rate consideration by the car driver , almost like they just didn't
notice.

 

Stan Gifford said....

So, if a car's where you wish to go, by not indicating, you're stuck in
that lane. By indicating, you're telling them that you wish to move
over, and hopefully, they'll be courteous enough to let you in.

 

They're probably too busy watching the In Car DVD player. Those things can
get distracting when they get bigger than 300mm..

TB

 

Surely the vehicle moving over the dotted lines (and therefore
changing lanes or merging from a closed lane) must give way!

Therefore it's a matter of waiting for a gap.

NOT a matter of creating a gap!! or just barging in because they've
got the indicator on.

That's my interpretation of this discussion.

Kind regards
Dave Milligan

 

courteous< But I am in Sydney.

I think it's swings and roundabouts. WHilst it ain't perfect, someone
occupying the same space as you is even less perfect.

Stan

 

~
Huh? Have you found the override code for your V-chip?
Clem

 

I have seen that , and truthfully the glazed eyes were a worry.

 

First of all Dave, i've rode for 23 years and still ride...

Tomorrow when i'm driving my truck and i see a bike or two riding the white
line or the emergency lane with no indicators on, i'll try to remember your
comments......

"NOT a matter of creating a gap!! or just barging in because they've got the
indicator on."......

And i'll close that gap a bit, just to suit your way of thinking

Try waiting for a gap in a truck pissant.....you get bored after 2kms

cheers
roddent

 

Working on it...
TB

just call me a "hacker"

 

Dave Milligan said....

You're correct. I was talking about courtesy and if someone indicates,
to allow them to merge or move over, if it's safe to do so.

 

SSSSSSSSoooooooooooooooooooo easy to manoevre around a truck then blast
past.
u block up one side then all we do is fly past from the other before u
have time to scratch.
I don't think you have ridden for 23 years if you think the way you do.