Cleaning up everything since my last:-

Gadgetman, Chris, that's almost exactly my point. I signal unless, having observed, I know that no-one can get to a position where they could possibly benefit from my signal. For example, the estate I live on has 6 foot wide pavements, and fences higher than a seated driver's eyeline from the road surface, so I always signal when entering or leaving my road, because I can't see the road I'm joining until I'm almost finished braking and/or have started turning (depends on exact direction of travel).

Fellwalker, what makes you think that pedestrians are being excluded from consideration? In the case above, I can't see anyone on the other route until I'm about to turn, so a pedestrian could appear whilst I'm braking.

Jules, Do you sound the horn every time you approach a junction like the one above? If not why not, because there might be someone just out of your sight who would benefit from audible warning of your presence?

Heres my bit-------You should always indicate when changing lanes, turning right/left, deviating from the normal flow of traffic, stopping/starting off, overtaking when there is other traffic or pedestrians nearby. If no traffic or pedestrians around I would not indicate as I would not be inconviencing any other road user by the action I take, oberservation being the key thing here. Joining motorways there is no need for indicating at all as you can only go in one direction and that is into lane 1, and the fact that there are no giveway priorities here. Other drivers on the m. way should also be aware that you are joining lane1 and should not deliberately speed up just to get in front of you however you should attain a speed matching the m.way users in lane 1 to smoothly join the flow of traffic. If lane 1 is exceedingly busy you carry on driving past the filter lane and onto the hard shoulder until there is a suitable space in lane 1.

There you go, drive safely everybody.

The whole idea in indicating is to tell others you are changing direction.

You cannot cover all the cars blind-spots, so giving a signal gives another driver time to change his direction, sound his horn or at least brake.

What I used to teach, what you can't see can hit you !!

Ian. 27/05/2009

Joining motorways there is no need for indicating at all as you can only go in one direction and that is into lane 1, and the fact that there are no giveway priorities here.

You were doing so well up until then. Merging out of a sliproad onto the main carriageway is a give way, unless the sliproad forms an additional lane of the main carriageway at the merge.

Joining motorways there is no need for indicating at all as you can only go in one direction and that is into lane 1

While there's no need, I do wonder whether indicating makes you more visible to people already on the motorway as it draws attention to you and people seem to respond better imho.... Also particularly useful at night as well...

Chris

You were doing so well up until then. Merging out of a sliproad onto the main carriageway is a give way, unless the sliproad forms an additional lane of the main carriageway at the merge.

I agree you should give priority to cars already on the m.way but they should allow you in lane 1 especially if the M'way is very busy.

There are no giveway signs or double broken white lines when joining a motorway, its called a filter lane or accelerating lane.

Edited 28 May, 200917 yr by Soot1e

There are no giveway signs or double broken white lines when joining a motorway, its called a filter lane or accelerating lane.

This is very true... although the HC says the following:

Joining the motorway. When you join the motorway you will normally approach it from a road on the left (a slip road) or from an adjoining motorway. You should

• give priority to traffic already on the motorway
  
• check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane
  
• not cross solid white lines that separate lanes or use the hard shoulder
  
• stay on the slip road if it continues as an extra lane on the motorway
  
• remain in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before considering overtaking

Chris

There are no giveway signs or double broken white lines when joining a motorway, its called a filter lane or accelerating lane.

Motorways (253-273) : Directgov - Travel and transport Rule 252, first bullet.

Yes, I've just been reading that.

So, like every other case where you're cutting a line and moving to your right, traffic in the lane you want to move into has priority.

So, like every other case where you're cutting a line and moving to your right, traffic in the lane you want to move into has priority.

Yup! What we going to argue about now?

Yup! What we going to argue about now?

Vauxhalls are a topic particularly close to Ken's heart

Chris

Vauxhalls are a topic particularly close to Ken's heart

Chris

Vauxhalls are a topic particularly close to Ken's heart

Chris

I hate Vauxhalls! But Opels are OK.