On my way home from work I join a roundabout under a dual carriageway from a minor road, all in a 40mph speed limit area. Vehicles already on the roundabout appear at speed from under the bridge indicating left. In most cases they don't want the road I am on but the next one, an ajacent motorway slip road. I have seen many near misses and several crashes because cars appear to 'flash' the waiting traffic, the drivers believing the car is going to exit into the minor road. In truth they want the motorway, have indicated left too early and the darkness under the bridge has caused their automatic headlamps to switch on/off very quickly.
I am struggling to see what is confrontational about the comment made by Ray???? That made by Allan & Gill yes but Ray no?????
Hi Chrissy.
Some of the so called improvements to the modern car are very annoying and the one you're talking about is a prime example.
If I want my headlights to do any function it has to be done by me. I realy wonder if just maybe the driver of the car who's lights flashed could be trying for a rigged insurance claim?
It has been knowledge for sometime that unscroupleless people are rigging their brake lights to fail and then doing an emergencey stop causing the following vehicle to crash into their car. Then they play holy hell about whiplash and sue the car driver who crashed into them, thus pocketing several thousand pounds in compo.
On the other hand if motorists signalled left when just past the turn point of the exit before the one they want on a roundabout, then accident risk would be drastically reduced.
I had a simlar thing yesterday at Bromsgrove. The car was on the roundabout in the lane closest to the centre of the roundabout, then he signalled left and shot across the roundabout to take the exit immeadiately after mine. I had started to join the roundabout and it was only by my observation and quick reaction that an accident was averted, as his vehicle position gave me the impression that he was heading for the 2nd exit.
One realy does have to have a swivel head fitted and photographic memory these days and of coarse esp for the joker in the pack as well.
It never ceases to amaze me just how incompetent some people can be.
The funnyest one for me is the road rage plonker who travels too close to the car they reckon has violated sods law, violently swerving and waving various jesticulations of intent to "educate" the wrong doer. But they actually present far more dangerous opportunities by their stupidity. I've actually seen one such plonker end up crashing into a lamp post at the next roundabout just because he couldn't control his temper. When the police arrived (who i'd called by the way) I had no hesitation in describing the events, and the car he was persueing also returned and the lady in that one explained just how frightened she'd been by the morons actions.
Needless to say that idiot is now off the road both mechanically and legally for a while and he also has to take a driving test before he can get his license back.
If people only took a few seconds to consider their actions and the affect it would have on others, the world would be a whole lot safer and happier.
Regards
Steve L.
Some of the so called improvements to the modern car are very annoying and the one you're talking about is a prime example.
If I want my headlights to do any function it has to be done by me. I realy wonder if just maybe the driver of the car who's lights flashed could be trying for a rigged insurance claim?
It has been knowledge for sometime that unscroupleless people are rigging their brake lights to fail and then doing an emergencey stop causing the following vehicle to crash into their car. Then they play holy hell about whiplash and sue the car driver who crashed into them, thus pocketing several thousand pounds in compo.
On the other hand if motorists signalled left when just past the turn point of the exit before the one they want on a roundabout, then accident risk would be drastically reduced.
I had a simlar thing yesterday at Bromsgrove. The car was on the roundabout in the lane closest to the centre of the roundabout, then he signalled left and shot across the roundabout to take the exit immeadiately after mine. I had started to join the roundabout and it was only by my observation and quick reaction that an accident was averted, as his vehicle position gave me the impression that he was heading for the 2nd exit.
One realy does have to have a swivel head fitted and photographic memory these days and of coarse esp for the joker in the pack as well.
It never ceases to amaze me just how incompetent some people can be.
The funnyest one for me is the road rage plonker who travels too close to the car they reckon has violated sods law, violently swerving and waving various jesticulations of intent to "educate" the wrong doer. But they actually present far more dangerous opportunities by their stupidity. I've actually seen one such plonker end up crashing into a lamp post at the next roundabout just because he couldn't control his temper. When the police arrived (who i'd called by the way) I had no hesitation in describing the events, and the car he was persueing also returned and the lady in that one explained just how frightened she'd been by the morons actions.
Needless to say that idiot is now off the road both mechanically and legally for a while and he also has to take a driving test before he can get his license back.
If people only took a few seconds to consider their actions and the affect it would have on others, the world would be a whole lot safer and happier.
Regards
Steve L.
'I had a simlar thing yesterday at Bromsgrove. The car was on the roundabout in the lane closest to the centre of the roundabout, then he signalled left and shot across the roundabout to take the exit immeadiately after mine. I had started to join the roundabout and it was only by my observation and quick reaction that an accident was averted, as his vehicle position gave me the impression that he was heading for the 2nd exit'.
On a traditional roundabout (hard to find now as increasingly set lanes are marked out) you are meant to drive in the lane closest to the centre until you are past the last exit before the one you want, and then you move into the lane farthest from the centre to make your exit. If Steve was driving around the roundabout he should not have been in the lane farthest from the centre.
On a traditional roundabout (hard to find now as increasingly set lanes are marked out) you are meant to drive in the lane closest to the centre until you are past the last exit before the one you want, and then you move into the lane farthest from the centre to make your exit. If Steve was driving around the roundabout he should not have been in the lane farthest from the centre.
William.
Just to clarify.
I was waiting to join the roundabout. The person doing the wrong manouver was a another.
Steve L.
Just to clarify.
I was waiting to join the roundabout. The person doing the wrong manouver was a another.
Steve L.
OK, sorry I misunderstood what you had posted. I did wonder as your previous paragraph 'On the other hand if motorists signalled left when just past the turn point of the exit before the one they want on a roundabout, then accident risk would be drastically reduced' indicated that you understood how to use a roundabout, which sadly many drivers seem not to know.
Parksy
Moderator
To go back to the headlight flashing on motorways I very rarely do it nowadays because lorry drivers of different nationalities might have a different interpretation of the signal and when overtaking in the centre lane a flash for another driver in the nearside lane to move out in front of me could easily be taken as a signal to a driver in the third lane travelling faster than my outfit to move back in at the same time.
I would never flash for two reasons. 1. Too easily misunderstood 2. I never let other vehicles in in front of me, as while you might think you are being helpful (and may well be for the driver you let in) you are imposing yet another vehicle (with the potential of causing delays) in front of the vehicles behind you, and who is to say that they are not in a greater hurry than the driver you have just helped.
Thats ok William I have broad shoulders.
I think your probably right Parksy.
These days you can't even be sure that a uk driver is driving a british registered truck, which might explain why my daughter got a mixed reaction.
Regards
Steve L.
I think your probably right Parksy.
These days you can't even be sure that a uk driver is driving a british registered truck, which might explain why my daughter got a mixed reaction.
Regards
Steve L.
Please help clarify something for a foreigner visiting the UK:
Over here on the Continent, if two lanes enter the roundabout and the roundabout also has two lanes, you remain in the lane in which you have been driving as you enter the roundabout, regardless of where you want to exit later. After the passing the last exit before you leave you set your indicator. If you happen to be in the offside lane at that time you must look in the mirror that you aren't cutting someone up on the inside as you leave the roundabout. It is illegal to use the indicator other than to leave the roundabout.
From what I'm reading here, the procedure in the UK is different. In order to prevent potential problems either way (UK driver on the Continent or Continental driver in the UK) it would be worth knowing.
Over here on the Continent, if two lanes enter the roundabout and the roundabout also has two lanes, you remain in the lane in which you have been driving as you enter the roundabout, regardless of where you want to exit later. After the passing the last exit before you leave you set your indicator. If you happen to be in the offside lane at that time you must look in the mirror that you aren't cutting someone up on the inside as you leave the roundabout. It is illegal to use the indicator other than to leave the roundabout.
From what I'm reading here, the procedure in the UK is different. In order to prevent potential problems either way (UK driver on the Continent or Continental driver in the UK) it would be worth knowing.
"I would never flash for two reasons. 1. Too easily misunderstood 2. I never let other vehicles in in front of me,"
Thats a bit selfish William.. if there is a B road and its backed up, they could sit there all day if everyone thought like you..what if you were trying to get out of a side road and no one would let you out?
Rab.
Thats a bit selfish William.. if there is a B road and its backed up, they could sit there all day if everyone thought like you..what if you were trying to get out of a side road and no one would let you out?
Rab.
hi all, the practice of lorry drivers flashing one and other in, goes back years when the mirrors fitted at the time were so small and vibrated so much it was impossible to judge when you had cleared the vehicle you had past. today mirrors on hgvs are so good, there is no need to flash your lights. most lorry drivers dont do it nowdays, as you should be able to judge when you are clear. the using of headlights is a visable warning of your approach at night, replacing your horn in the day. regards raymond h.
This is a link to the UK 'Highway Code'
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070338
Thanks, Gafferbill. The procedure is obviously different in the UK. So, be warned all you caravanners when coming across to the Continent or else you can run into real problems on roundabouts.
I agree with Gumbo, Having driven in the States where lanes have no speed meaning, driving is much more relaxing. You overtake using any lane you wish and it just works
A further benefit is that there will always be slower traffic in all lanes slow general driving becomes slower.
Slightly off topic but from today the police will be able to issue on the spot fines to foreign drivers who break UK traffic laws. I travel the M20 every day and see horrendous examples of bad driving by foreigners who were effectivly immune from being stopped by Kent's finest. I wonder if their driving will improve.
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