Indicating on motorways and what it means.

Rilot · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:30

When I learned to drive many moons ago, indicating on a motorway meant that you wished to change lanes and would do so when the adjacent lane was clear and you wouldn't impede the progress of any cars going faster than you.

It seems that these days indicating means: "I'm changing lanes now, GET OUT OF THE WAY".

When did this happen? I'm getting really tired of euro crapboxes doing this in front of me causing me to have to stand on the brakes down to 50mph.

Dr Who · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:33

I think it started when motorways got more and more overcrowded and frustrating.

Skeeter · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:35

I think it happend around the same time as people started thinking there was such thing as a slow, medium and fast lane on a motorway.

It drives me mad. My GF is terrible for it. She will sit there stairing at the wing mirror waiting for a gap, and then one appears, turn to change lane and indicate at the same time!

I am quite a polite driver under normal conditions, so if I see someone indicating to change lane and waiting I will give them a flash to let then out if I can. I find that quite a few people will do the same to me. Its just common sense.

Gaygle · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:35

Gaygle likes this thread (Y)

I agree.

Mr Jack · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:45

It changed largely when people stopped having the manners to let people out.

mjt · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:47

MIRROR, signal, manoeuvre

***** aren't using their mirrors anymore.

Crizzy · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:47

mjt said:
MIRROR, signal, manoeuvre

***** aren't using their mirrors anymore.

Was just about to post this

lordrobs · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:52

The causes are lane 2/3 hoggers and people that think commuting is some kind of competition.

Sitting in lane 2 is by far easier than pulling in to lane 1 when it is clear to do so. So much so that I wonder why I don't just follow the rest of the sheep rather than finding myself stuck behind a truck doing 56mph, middle lane full of cars bumper to bumper with my indicator on waiting in vain that someone might let me continue on my journey somewhere near the national speed limit.

People get frustrated and just take a punt at anything that resembles a gap.

Oh and I find that if someone is going to pull out and cause me to stand on the brakes then it is much more likely to be some tool in an executive saloon than a "euro crapbox"

Scania · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:55

I was told, a long time ago,that a flashing indicator means its on. Nothing more, nothing less.

In short, try to watch what the indicating vehicle is doing & try to second guess him.

The biggest problem with motorway driving is most people have never had any proper motorway training, as the chaos on our major routes demonstrates.

Crizzy · 7 Jul 2011 at 12:58

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
The biggest problem with motorway driving is most people have never had any proper motorway training, as the chaos on our major routes demonstrates.

Very true. My GF has a friend who spends her entire time in the middle lane because 'It's safer'.

ajstan · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:02

Crizzy said:
Very true. My GF has a friend who spends her entire time in the middle lane because 'It's safer'.

I hate middle lane cruisers

bledd · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:02

The way I drive, I try to not impede on anyone else, ie not making any other drivers change speed, at all.

Phantom indicating scares me. As you're in the middle or outer lane passing cars in the inner lanes, then a car about 10m ahead of you in an inner lane whacks their indicator on just as you're getting close to them.

I_M_Weasel · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:08

I'd like to use the 1st lane as much as possible and return there after passing someone but I have a complete lack of faith in other drivers letting me back out, even though they easily could by moving into lane 3. Leaving you stuck behind a 50mph truck and eventually taking the best gap you can get and pulling into it at 50, undoubtedly making someone curse at you has he suddenly has to brake to avoid getting too close to you.

Skeeter · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:08

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
I was told, a long time ago,that a flashing indicator means its on. Nothing more, nothing less.

In short, try to watch what the indicating vehicle is doing & try to second guess him.

The biggest problem with motorway driving is most people have never had any proper motorway training, as the chaos on our major routes demonstrates.

For you, its a much bigger issue. Is someone pulls out infront of a car you can slow down and hurl abuse as them. If you are in a lorry 'slowing down suddenly' isnt going to happen, a massive crash is.

Zefan · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:19

I_M_Weasel said:
I'd like to use the 1st lane as much as possible and return there after passing someone but I have a complete lack of faith in other drivers letting me back out, even though they easily could by moving into lane 3. Leaving you stuck behind a 50mph truck and eventually taking the best gap you can get and pulling into it at 50, undoubtedly making someone curse at you has he suddenly has to brake to avoid getting too close to you.

This.

I also regularly see enormous lines of traffic in the second lane of a dual carriageway queuing to get past a truck. My new hobby is to undertake them all, that'll learn 'em.

Philz0r · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:21

on sunday comming home the a19 theres only 2 lanes and there was this yaris doing 65ish in the right hand lane when the left was clear. I flashed him over a few times and got me no where so i undertook him and carried on at my cruising speed. He then sped up behind me in the left lane and hugged my ass. I had my cruise control on and kinda just ignored him. He disapeared after 5 miles or so.

I know this thread is about indicating but this is one of my biggest hates on fast roads. I was always told you should be in the left hand lane unless your overtaking.

Hagar · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:21

Indicate only when there is a suitable gap to drive into.
Accelerate to match your speed to the traffic flow in the lane to which you intend to go.
This means anticipation and leaving a suitable gap ahead of you in the lane in which you are travelling. I spend at least 25% of my attention on my mirrors on the motorway and the rest looking ahead as far as possible.
Do not make sudden changes in direction merge into the faster traffic.
Stay in the leftmost lane to suit your speed.

I dislike intensely people who will not accelerate when in the 'acceleration lane' and join the motorway at less than motorway speeds, only accelerating on lane one.

Kutter · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:39

Id just like to say I don't miss british motorways one bit.

beermonster · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:48

It's the same with people that wish to pull off from the side of the road they sit there with the indicator flashing, rather than waiting for a gap.

Danny091 · 7 Jul 2011 at 13:48

nkata said:
Indicate only when there is a suitable gap to drive into.
Accelerate to match your speed to the traffic flow in the lane to which you intend to go.
This means anticipation and leaving a suitable gap ahead of you in the lane in which you are travelling. I spend at least 25% of my attention on my mirrors on the motorway and the rest looking ahead as far as possible.
Do not make sudden changes in direction merge into the faster traffic.
Stay in the leftmost lane to suit your speed.

I dislike intensely people who will not accelerate when in the 'acceleration lane' and join the motorway at less than motorway speeds, only accelerating on lane one.

I dont drive on motorways. But this really grinds my gears when people do it on dual carrageways. Especialy if your behind them trying to get on the dual-carrage way too... /Roadrage enabled.