Close call at mini-RAB...

[Maz]

Had a close call this morning.

I was going East-West on this mini-RAB. Car the other side of the RAB *looked* like it was going West-East, as it wasn't indicating to turn right.

I foolishly assumed the car was going straight and we nearly collided on the RAB as it turned right in front of me. My back wheel locked, but I managed to stay on the bike.

My mistake . I won't put too much faith in indicators from now on!

 

[BentMikey]

Well, no, his mistake mostly, and yours more from a defensive riding point of view surely? I don't much like MRABs much because of this!

 

[Rhythm Thief]

You can get away with assuming "no indicators = straight on" if you're driving a lorry (I frequently do, much to the annoyance of many car drivers) but you're on dodgy ground doing the same on a bike. Glad you got away with it Maz!

 

[JamesAC]

As a matter of course I don't trust the indicators until I can see the whites of the driver's eyes, and (s)he can see mine. All too often the little yellow light is winking, and it's simply that it hasn't been canceled since the last turn.

The direction the front wheels are pointing in is quite a useful (but not infallible) indicator, I find.

Cheers

James

 

[HLaB]

I don't trust indicators either, I've seen too many examples where they haven't been used right. OTH it annoys me when I'm waiting to get out from a minor road (or on an entry to a large Rab) and a car doesn't indicate and I waited for no reason.

 

[philr]

sadly there seems to be more and more lazy drivers who cannot be bothered to do a simple task that is required, most of these drivers are usually the same ones who dont wear seat belts and use mobile phones whilst driving And (its allways someone elses fault). be careful we are the most vulnerable persons on the road, assume all drivers are stupid.

ps before i get attacked by the drivers on this forum, i am a car driver too..

 

[Maz]

OTH it annoys me when I'm waiting to get out from a minor road (or on an entry to a large Rab) and a car doesn't indicate and I waited for no reason.

I agree. That really annoys me, too.

 

[palinurus]

I had one of those a while back, indicator went on just as I was entering the roundabout (we both arrived at same time). Most drivers do indicate- i've been more aware of it since- but I tend to hold back a bit and wait now.

 

[Arch]

I don't trust indicators either, I've seen too many examples where they haven't been used right. OTH it annoys me when I'm waiting to get out from a minor road (or on an entry to a large Rab) and a car doesn't indicate and I waited for no reason.

A lot of people these days seem to think it's signal and manoeuvre at the same time, rather than signal first...

I'd hardly ever trust an indicator, or lack of one, on it's own, I'd rather wait and be sure, even it it means missing a gap or whatever...

 

[lycradodger]

I have to say that I disagree with BentMikey. You have to wait until you know where the other vehicle is going - or else you are most definitely at fault (of course, if they fail to indicate then they are at fault too, but that does not let you off the hook for your own mistake). Highway code extract:

185

When reaching the roundabout you should

• give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights
• check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way. If so, proceed, but still look to the right before joining
• watch out for all other road users already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or at all
• look forward before moving off to make sure traffic in front has moved off

Glad to hear you're OK though.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Perhaps someone who is in the process of taking their driving test can enlighten me here, but do they teach new drivers to indicate on roundabouts any more? I see so few people doing so I can only assume not.