graball wrote:
Quote:
I don't think that there was a need here to indicate as in doing so you can send false signals to others.
I can't see what you are trying to say here, Claire, if you are pulling out into the centre of the road to the extent that another car, either coming towards you or following you, cannot get past, don't you think it is right to indicate this "potentially dangerous" manouvere?
We always have to consider that although we may think that our action is clear to others, this may not always be the case.
For example the car behind the truck might have been pulling out to simply obtain a better view of the road, or see where his turn of might be, or if there is a long straight ahead for a potential overtake, or verifying with his Sat Nav of an action he needs to make soon.
The lorry driver might have pulled out for a host of reasons, it might have been because of the car behind or reacting to something in front of him, like an incident on his left, or for something further up the road, if the danger/potential hazard was resolved he then simply pulls back in.
Indicating to others is helpful, useful and often necessary. Primarily it shows our own intent, but it can also be used to help prevent an action from someone else's developing mistake, it can be used for encouragement for another to act (encouragement to pull over to allow overtaking).
So 'just' indicating can be taken as a small variety of intentions.
If the lorry pulls out enough to prevent an oncoming car (that he can clearly see) from passing by him that would be a highly dangerous manoeuvre in itself and not one taken unless absolutely necessary. If he is swerving to avoid an unexpected, not anticipated danger he is highly likely to need both hands on the wheel to control his vehicle, than 'worry' about indicating. If no one is ahead of him (oncoming traffic) the perceived and immediate danger will be to him and the obstacle, so passing it is paramount, and indicating will not help him immediately, nor help others so moving is prime and indicating un-necessary. He will be past and safe, the following car has to take their own responsibility and is also more likely to fit past anything than the lorry could. His indicators are not likely to be as easily 'at his fingertips' too so doing prime immediate action is better than indicating for little real benefit.
As his pull-out did not prevent any oncoming vehicle, I can assume that he has not blocked nor prevented movement of any oncoming traffic. So why would he need to indicate unless to help dissuade any action that the person behind him might be considering. But can he be 'sure' what the car behind is actually thinking or doing ? No.
Sometimes an indication done deliberately to dissuade another's action might upset someone as they feel conned into not acting for 'nothing' (lorry doing a right turn then not).
The 'false signals' to others might be that;
there is a right turn ahead, lets say the car behind has noticed that right turn, so if the lorry indicates right, the following car may assume that the lorry is to turn off. The car pulling out from that side road might also think that the lorry is to turn right, and may plan to pull out in front of the lorry to help give him/her extra space to turn in (perhaps), along with any pedestrians who might consider crossing the road etc.
If the car indicates the lorry might think that he is turning right not saying that he wishes to overtake and is in a hurry ? It is ambiguous is it not?
What does the car (assuming that it is a car, not a small van etc) gain by indicating? Telling the lorry that it wishes to overtake - maybe but it is narrow enough to only pass on a straight and if the lorry stops.
Although we are taught to be wary of false indications because others maybe indicating for another reason or accidentally left it on, we must try to always ensure that no confusing messages are sent when we indicate.
This potentially 'dangerous manoeuvre' we cannot be sure that it is dangerous, as we cannot see much of the road up ahead, from this video. We only have a small amount of information. We know nothing about the vehicle this was filmed from, either although we can estimate the size of it compared to the lorry's dimensions.
To police another's driving is wrong for most people because it requires a complete understanding of the whole situation and appreciation of what another was doing or trying to do, and many cannot appreciate what other's are doing as we all have a different approach to driving and riding brought about by our own experiences, abilities and knowledge.
For example : motorists with greater ability might be doing something others have no comprehension of whatsoever, and then conclude a danger when non exist.
What can possibly be gained by everyone 'watching and reporting' everyone else ? Could it possibly help improve motoring standards - not in my opinion.