Don't take anyone's intensions for granted

[RogerSB]

For those of us who rely on our hand signals I thought I’d share this one:-

I was riding at 40 mph down hill on a main road approaching a left turn into which I wanted to turn. There was a car coming from the opposite direction which had stopped in the middle of the carriageway with right indicators flashing, obviously waiting for me to pass and then cross the road to turn right (into the same road as I intended).

With my arm out straight I was giving a clear left signal. From my direction the turn was more of a lovely sweeping bend than a sharp turn left (see drawing) so I didn’t need to check my speed before committing to the bend. With my arm still out and having one eye on the car who was signaling to turn right I saw it suddenly start to move. I checked my speed slightly, in anticipation, in case the car crossed the road in front of me - which it did  .

By braking even harder I was able to safely turn into the junction behind him.  I don’t think the driver was even aware of what he’d done, but thinking about it afterwards I reckon he wrongly assumed I was pointing for him to turn into the road before me.

Some of us will remember when hand signals were the norm., even car drivers giving hand signals out of their window. However, today, I imagine most drivers on the road are not at all familiar with hand signals or what they mean, so this was a very good example of why not to take someone else’s driving knowledge and definitely not their intensions for granted.

[mikeb]

or he might have been trying to kill you - glad he failed. since when did anyone point at a street to suggest someone else to turn into it? more likely on his/her phone/touchscreen/gps and didn't even see you.
its a jungle out there

[Bsareg]

I'm told that hand signals (using or reading them) are not even part of the driving anymore.

[Greybeard]

I'm told that hand signals (using or reading them) are not even part of the driving anymore.

I checked the UK Highway Code for hand signals  last year. They are still there: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/signals-to-other-road-users

I use hand signals when I ride my bicycle. You really need to when making a turn through oncoming traffic.

As always, never make any assumptions about other road users.

Roger, I'm glad you had time to reduce your speed during that incident. Nice sketch by the way!

[duTch]

 Good *intentions* Roger but became somewhat 'intense'....  ... I'm glad this has come up, as I've taken note of the way I indicate my intentions since GB started a rant about it a while back- There's a kind of interchange that I travel on fairly often where I come down a on-ramp from the left into a three lane where my far left closes out after 150 yards, and 50 yards later becomes another slip-lane to an off-ramp and splits into two...so lots of dumbarses sit in the left lane expecting magic to happen.....but I need the far right through lane.....so have to do extremely creative merging.....if I'm in one of the vehicles with indicators, that goes on and I hang my arm out the window and point/gesticulate madly that I'm crossing over two lanes into the 'fast' lane- and *GO*....this is sometimes complicated by heavy rigs using it to stay away from the mayhem of the slow side, and get a decent run-up for the steep uphill pinch in the midst of it all....
  If I'm on one of the bikes (Gutzzi doesn't have flashy things either- weren't on it when I bought it, sooo... ), same thing, but have to use the left arm and assertively say 'I'm comin' through- fuuuu off ' works so far....and same goes for general lane changes...If doing a general turn as Roger was doing (or left/right/roundabout)  I don't stick my arm out straight, I point and do my best to show where I'm going and make sure the dumbarses can see it...maybe if their eyes aren't painted on  ....

[bsa-bill]

My wife reckons I signal to much, I just quote my old driving instructor " Indicators are for indicating your direction , they are not right of way indicators, they are to help other drivers be aware of you intentions" - assuming the other drivers are watching of course (ah there's the rub"

[Black Sheep]

A fine example of always assume the other bloke's trying to kill you. Glad you made that assumption.

[Greybeard]

... I'm glad this has come up, as I've taken note of the way I indicate my intentions since GB started a rant about it...

A rant indeed!

[BSARGS650]

Mmmm...Unfortunately, there will be at least two attempts on my life each time I am out.  I will remember the registration and notify the police later.  Their standard response is; "Was there any witness?"  Before migrating to four wheels, drivers should be made to pass their test on two.......A lot of plonkers out there.....

[muskrat]

G'day fellas.
Rogers near miss reinforces my attitude when riding. Look at everything and say "how are you going to ruin my day" and be prepared.
Merging right (especially on an up hill) and using a hand signal means you loose motive power. I use my right leg. At least if they try to go round me I'm ready to lay the boot in! Same for slowing to turn right, no front brake. When stopped at an intersection to turn right my foot is dancing on the brake light and eyes on the mirror. So far so good.
Cheers
please insert left for people who drive on the wrong side of the road 

[olev]

fit indicators. Other road users can understand your intentions.
Have a thought for the distress you cause the poor sod that skittles you while you are waving your arms and legs around.

[RogerSB]

fit indicators. Other road users can understand your intentions.
Have a thought for the distress you cause the poor sod that skittles you while you are waving your arms and legs around.

With that point of view you might as well buy a modern motorcycle .

(Edit): Also you'll have better brakes and lights  .

[BSARGS650]

Mmmm....Regarding fitting indicators; the plonkers still don't observe them when I'm out on my H-D Sportster.  I have been riding for 54 years and managed to be free of their attempts so far.  Trouble is, with ever increasing motorists out there, it requires so much concentration of awareness, road conditions, weather. visibility. obstacles, escape routes, positioning, anticipation, it leaves little time for any kind of relaxed enjoyment.

[Butch (cb)]

Presumably once everyone else is on autodrive we can be as crazy as we like?

[Greybeard]

We've been here before, but...
In the UK, signals are out of fashion. I would say that over 50% of drivers do not bother to indicate. This actually makes me more careful, because you just cannot make any assumptions.

There has been an experimental road scheme on a certain stretch of road here, where they removed all pedestrian crossings and traffic lights. The idea is that everyone is paying attention to what everyone else is doing so should be safer. I do not know if the scheme is still in force, or what the results were.