Rear radar - any good?

[lazybloke]

Trust no-one. Not even me.

Havent read the entire thread, but the above really stood out.
Hallelujah yes, we're all fallible. Some on cyclechat will argue otherwise, quoting training, experience, or whatever.

Nope, were all aging: eyesight worsening, reaction time worsening, our knowledge of highway code potentially out of date etc. sounds like a breeding ground for over-confidence!

And in the end, a hell of a lot of us refuse to surrender our driving licence until well after an appropriate time. Because we're idiots!

The most careful driver can have a bad/grumpy/stressed day; every cyclist that ever had a close pass will know that adrenaline can make you act out of character; including when behind the steering wheel.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

And no doubt numerous versions of how to indicate. Its normally pratts indicating right when going straight on but this afternoon I had a clown in front indicating left which would have been a turning onto a shared pavement if actually being undertaken.

Seeing someone indicating means that there is a fair chance they are going left or right
on a roundabout it might well mean they are not going left

and no more than that

someone approaching a junction with no indicators might be going left or right or not

I have seen discussions where people say that you should always indicate right on a roundabout unless you are coming off at the next exit
which has some sense
but only if everyone does it and knows about it
and as they don;t then it is just causing more uncertainty

 

[Sea of vapours]

better than assuming a radar device is protective.

Has anyone who's advocating radar as useful ever suggested that they're actively protective? They are, exactly like a mirror, merely providing additional information. The protective aspect is processing and acting upon the information!

 

[Mike_P]

Seeing someone indicating means that there is a fair chance they are going left or right
on a roundabout it might well mean they are not going left

and no more than that

someone approaching a junction with no indicators might be going left or right or not

I have seen discussions where people say that you should always indicate right on a roundabout unless you are coming off at the next exit
which has some sense
but only if everyone does it and knows about it
and as they don;t then it is just causing more uncertainty

The Highway Code is quite clear on how to indicate and you only indicate right at a roundabout if turning right.

Rule 186
Signals and position.

When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise signal left and approach in the left-hand lane. Keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise signal right and approach in the right-hand lane. Keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout. Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout. You should not normally need to signal on approach. Stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout. Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

 

[blackrat]

Does everyone agree that whatever has worked for ourselves individually to keep us safe in the past is the way to continue, and not as might be pointed out as a contradiction of such practice with such infinite knowledge on a cycle chat site?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

The Highway Code is quite clear on how to indicate and you only indicate right at a roundabout if turning right.

Rule 186
Signals and position.

When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise signal left and approach in the left-hand lane. Keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise signal right and approach in the right-hand lane. Keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout. Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout. You should not normally need to signal on approach. Stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout. Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

What the HC says is one thing

what people actually do is another

some people just make a mistake

some have better rules and stick to them because they know best

 

[a.twiddler]

Seeing someone indicating means that there is a fair chance they are going left or right
on a roundabout it might well mean they are not going left

and no more than that

someone approaching a junction with no indicators might be going left or right or not

I have seen discussions where people say that you should always indicate right on a roundabout unless you are coming off at the next exit
which has some sense
but only if everyone does it and knows about it
and as they don;t then it is just causing more uncertainty

If you see someone indicating it's probably best just to take it as evidence that their indicators are working; nothing else, unless you see other clues to suggest that they're actually going to follow it up.

 

[Mike_P]

What the HC says is one thing

what people actually do is another

some people just make a mistake

some have better rules and stick to them because they know best

No they do not, they are a potential cause of an accident. Vehicle indicating right so a following vehicle going straight on moves to the rear left expecting a clear route to appear only to find the misindicating clown cutting them up.
And then theirs all the wasted stopping and restarting cycling when it seems a vehicle is going to occupy the roundabout in front only for that vehicle to have turned off.