[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

The truck changed lane to take a left turn, no indicators, no helper to guide him.

That was close and thankfully your experience of regular driving on the highway helped - You were not in a hurry to quickly move to the slow lane and overtake the moment you noticed this truck change lane. So you were very much in control. One could say you were lucky that you got good space on left to escape a collision but if there was no space, the truck would not have made this move as well and continued straight .

I assumed that the truck is changing lanes as they usually drive on the fast lane on a 2-laned highway.

Indeed. What is important here whenever a truck gets onto the main highway from a fuel station or a dhaba is that "PAUSE" on the A-Pedal to see his next action and that is most likely switching to the fast lane! On how fast they switch to this lane will entirely depend on the type of truck, load, local or long-haul etc. End of the day, that patience matters a lot here.

However, what I am always apprehensive and paranoid about when driving especially on highways that witness less traffic is careless lane switching by these trucks without any reason or indication. They would never do this on a highway with even decent (if not thick) traffic. And this also depends on the time of day as well - Mostly super early mornings is when these drivers may assume there is no fast car around and a truck with an intent to overtake will only pass with a honk.

On return from Jabalpur, it happened twice, where a truck on the fast lane without a curve (at times they gain momentum by switching lanes on a curve), switched lanes in a jiffy without any warning and there was absolutely nothing ahead of it that he was trying to avoid!

From so many Km behind the wheel at various times of the day and sections of our country, one thing I always do even if I am the only one with that truck that I am about to pass is to H-O-N-K briefly (very short to grab attention) when I am about to cross that truck. At night, apart from a flash from Lo to Hi, I again H-O-N-K to grab attention because the truck driver should not assume me as another faster truck or a Bus approaching at 80 Kmph but is a faster car at 110-120 Kmph and that sound of the horn from a car easily hints the driver to differentiate between an LMV vs HCV.

Safe Driving!!

[Sheel]

That is some luck BHPian sinharishi to have a run-off area. I tried to pump up the volume to listen you honking, but probably its disabled. I have a different set of horns for the highway, exclusively. It does help, for these kind of drivers and with teens who have ear-plugs plugged deeply inside their system.

On a bike, I can't do much , but I am just more cautious and aware.

[samaspire]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

... one thing I always do even if I am the only one with that truck that I am about to pass is to H-O-N-K briefly (very short to grab attention) when I am about to cross that truck.

Safe Driving!!

Honking is, I feel, the most important safety device in an automobile for driving in India. It ensures that you do not surprise anyone and they know that you are coming - vehicles and pedestrians. Honking does not have to be loud. A squeak is enough for pedestrians and a short jab is enough for most vehicles. The long and loud honk should only be reserved for emergencies and to convey your disgust.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by samaspire

A squeak is enough for pedestrians and a short jab is enough for most vehicles.

Perfect and this is exactly why I use horns. The long honks are reserved for situations when 2 Tata Aces are overtaking each other and you are following them since the last 2 kms and the gap hasn't been much to pass between them .

In fact, my only accident till date (touchwood!), was when one of the dual horns failed in the WagonR and I was waiting to turn left a signal next to a Tipper, nearly in his blind spot and I could no way grab his attention when he started to take left as my horn was seldom audible to him. Only recently the car had returned from service and a loose coupler had resulted in only one horn working.

[locusjag]

I typically love watching "thug life" meme videos on YouTube to pass time. But here's a stupid motorcyclist who I spotted living the bug life...meaning, he's alive today and getting squashed sooner rather than later!

https://youtu.be/xzwz4v2Gdr8

[Thad E Ginathom]

Couldn't see (on the small screen) if the digger was indicating. If not, I have sympathy for the biker, if so, then I have none.

Worse is when they slip through small gaps. Just a touch on the steering wheel of one the cars could cost them at least a leg or two, instead of a few seconds wait.

Supreme lack of awareness in these guys. And guyesses: they have taught their wives and daughters to ride just as stupidly.

[locusjag]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Couldn't see (on the small screen) if the digger was indicating. If not, I have sympathy for the biker, if so, then I have none.

The digger didn't have any working brake lights nor turn indicators.
And yes - just like any heavy vehicle in India, this one didn't have working lights. But we all drive carefully around Indian heavy commercial vehicles since we literally have our own skin in the game. We can't die or get maimed and then argue that the heavy vehicle didn't signal

So, based on the digger's dip in speed and the frequent turning of the operator's head, I knew to slow down at that time and wait. And at one point, he did beckon with his hand that he was going to turn. These deep observations of mine were made through the course of a good few seconds.

What was the biker's total time investment? I have respect for the other bikers who knew to wait. But this particular one is a bug alright. I pity only his family.

Worse is when they slip through small gaps. Just a touch on the steering wheel of one the cars could cost them at least a leg or two, instead of a few seconds wait.

Supreme lack of awareness in these guys. And guyesses: they have taught their wives and daughters to ride just as stupidly.

I have one more video lined up (yet to publish it though) where another bug lifer squeezed in behind a taxi executing a 3 point turn and then had the temerity to scold the taxi-wallah. This is the state of our nation

Lastly, pardon me Mr.Thad for the snarkiness in my reply. I assure you that all my snarkiness is directed toward Mr.Bug Life here, not at you.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by locusjag

The digger didn't have any working brake lights nor turn indicators. And yes - just like any heavy vehicle in India, this one didn't have working lights.

And the driver didn't even have an arm to stick out!

But we all drive carefully around Indian heavy commercial vehicles since we literally have our own skin in the game. We can't die or get maimed and then argue that the heavy vehicle didn't signal

And heavy equipment like that does not have crumple zones. I keep even further away from them than I do from buffaloes. (They are, apparently, quite nice-natured animals, but that doesn't mean I want one to even lean on my car)

So, based on the digger's dip in speed and the frequent turning of the operator's head, I knew to slow down at that time and wait. And at one point, he did beckon with his hand that he was going to turn. These deep observations of mine were made through the course of a good few seconds.

Spot on on-the-spot observation. I sort-of forgot that this was dash cam, and your dash cam, and you were there!

Your actions were the good example. The biker was not so much riding/driving as blundering: no concern or interest in what the rest of the world is doing, even when it is big, heavy, and very close.

I have one more video lined up (yet to publish it though) where another bug lifer squeezed in behind a taxi executing a 3 point turn and then had the temerity to scold the taxi-wallah. This is the state of our nation

Yep. Typical.

Lastly, pardon me Mr.Thad for the snarkiness in my reply. I assure you that all my snarkiness is directed toward Mr.Bug Life here, not at you.

Absolutely no problem. We both share the same feelings and point of view. And, as I said, I sort of forgot that your post was eye-witness

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

This happened on Saturday on NH-48 near Udaipur. The truck changed lane to take a left turn, no indicators, no helper to guide him.

Super close call.

Similar thing happened to me, but I was on a motorbike, and flying away to glory (as always to overtake big trucks). I was completely sandwiched to the left with no exit (the trucker decided to park abruptly). Gods grace, I happened to brake hard enough to not end up in a ditch in the service lane.

Since then, I just try and avoid overtakes on the cycle lane unless there are a bunch of other motorcyclists ahead of me using that lane.

[swissknife]

Highway driving behaviour is mixed at best. There are some trucks, buses that use the slower (left lanes) while there are others who stick to the fast lane (right most). While they may be driving at the speed limit of 80kmph, it is hard to stay behind them all the time. Passing vehicles that stick to the fast lanes is what I call, undertaking rather than overtaking. I try add much as possible to have the vehicles that I pass to move over to the slower lanes before I pass them. In the worst case when I have to pass them on their left, I do so only when I have a clear view of the road ahead for at least 500 meters.

[sinharishi]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

That was close and thankfully your experience of regular driving on the highway helped - You were not in a hurry to quickly move to the slow lane and overtake the moment you noticed this truck change lane. So you were very much in control.

Yes, I did slow down, always do, you never know whats ahead of the truck in the left lane. There was no indicator given, there was no helper, also it was really tough to judge the turn on the curve.

I did give a long honk, hearing that the truck stopped. One can notice the truck stopping at the very last moment in the video. I kept honking till I passed him.

Cartoq has published an article on this close call. After reading the article, I will just say this:

Those who drive extensively on the highway will understand how much trucks love the right lane and overtaking often from the left lane is the only choice you have on a 2-lane highway.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

Those who drive extensively on the highway will understand how much trucks love the right lane and overtaking often from the left lane is the only choice you have on a 2-lane highway.

Even those without extensive experience can accept this. What's more, they do the same even in the city

[pratyush6]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

This happened on Saturday on NH-48 near Udaipur. The truck changed lane to take a left turn, no indicators, no helper to guide him. The truck was in motion, I assumed that the truck is changing lanes as they usually drive on the fast lane on a 2-laned highway.

I understand that without indicators this was a recipe for disaster, it's unfortunately most people on Indian highways drive. But, I was in your situation, I would have slowed down and waited to make sure of the truckers intentions.

You did see him going right, just wait for a couple of seconds and then clear him and you would be clear if he is going left (for which he needs this maneuver) or just changing lanes. Not Ideal, but considering defensive driving and your own safety. Glad to know you are safe!

[binand]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

This happened on Saturday on NH-48 near Udaipur.

You've made it into Malayala Manorama:

https://www.manoramaonline.com/fastt...see-video.html

Their commentary isn't very flattering for you though.

[sinharishi]

Originally Posted by binand

You've made it into Malayala Manorama:

https://www.manoramaonline.com/fastt...see-video.html

Their commentary isn't very flattering for you though.

Cartoq, HvK and now this. Sigh! So much gyaan.