Indicators
Okay folks those pretty yellow knobs on the side of your vehicle aren't just there for decoration; they have a function. I'm getting fed-up of indicating to change lanes, doing so, and finding the car in front is mimicking my line with no forewarning. I'm getting fed-up of waiting at island exits only to find the car I'm giving way to is turning left before it gets to me.
On a related note I'm fed-up of approaching a junction exit and having to brake because a vehicle turning into it requires my lane as part of its turning circle. Likewise having to change lanes in High Street because someone's parked next to the Parkes Passage cash-point when there are a mass of empty bays opposite.
Highly subjective I know, but does anyone else think these sort of actions are becoming more prevalent?
6 comments:
Yes. The indicators thing came up on the Cambridge Cycling Campaign mailing list last month and there was general agreement that signalling to come off a roundabout is becoming less and less popular. In fact I blogged on this subject in January, and you commented on my post.
At the Science Park where I work, there is a roundabout to get in and out of it. The exit that leaves the Park has three lanes (two turning left, out of town and one for straight on or turning right), with a cycle lane in the middle. Most traffic, as you might guess, goes left. So, when I'm coming off that roundabout, I always feel a little vulnerable signalling left, as probably the car behind me actually wants to come out on my left. Here is Google Maps' view of the roundabout.
Ah-hah that was the nagging feeling I was getting that I'd mentioned this before. I'd like to say I'm glad it's not just me, but of course I'd have preferred it if it was just selfish behaviour around here.
Looking at the map I can understand why if a cycle lane is required it would have to be there, but I see that any cyclist heading into it would find themselves a bit jammed. Heck it doesn't even begin at the start of the exit.
I have noticed an increase (well an increase specific to me) of people indicating right then indicating left to go straight-on on a traffic island. Do driving instructors teach this? Can people not do this, it's confusing and if used in conjuction with lane-chaning can be dangerous.
Gotta admit that's not one I've seen yet Tav; I agree it's stupid though. If you're not indicating then you're continuing in the direction of the main road, that's the rule.
Which is why I find this so annoying. Notice in lane one that that the first arrow is a major straight/minor left, but the splitting arrow is an equal straight/right. So do you indicate left to follow the straight ahead arrow, or indicate right to go straight?
If you zoom out you'll see they got it right at the next exit and the one that came before it. All they need to do is repaint that split using an obvious minor left and it would be clear.
Ah well still not as much fun as this junction :-)
Dude… how old are you? ;-)
Trust me, people have been doing bad driving for a long time. It's just that now there are more drivers around. It only takes a few idiots to make you think everybody is barking mad.
Well you're right in that if the percentage of bad drivers hasn't changed but the numbers of drivers overall have increased, then there would be more idiots on the road.
Of course there's also perceptual bias where you're more likely to notice and remember every instance of bad driving over every instance of good driving.
Even so, just seems like more.
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