![]() | #10501 | ||
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Belur/Bangalore
Posts: 6,363
Thanked: 20,586 Times
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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!! | ||
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![]() | #10502 |
Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() | ![]() 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 ![]() |
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![]() | #10503 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Manipal / Udupi
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 4,399 Times
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![]() | #10504 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Belur/Bangalore
Posts: 6,363
Thanked: 20,586 Times
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![]() 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. | |
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![]() | #10505 |
Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Chennai
Posts: 1,392
Thanked: 4,303 Times
| ![]() 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! |
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![]() | #10506 |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai
Posts: 9,609
Thanked: 15,786 Times
| ![]() 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. |
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![]() | #10507 | ||
Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Chennai
Posts: 1,392
Thanked: 4,303 Times
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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. Quote:
![]() 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. | ||
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![]() | #10508 | |||||
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai
Posts: 9,609
Thanked: 15,786 Times
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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. Quote:
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![]() | #10509 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 3,987
Thanked: 7,660 Times
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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. | |
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![]() | #10510 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Chennai
Posts: 824
Thanked: 1,323 Times
| ![]() 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. |
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![]() | #10511 | |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
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. Last edited by sinharishi : 19th January 2019 at 17:33. | |
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![]() | #10512 |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai
Posts: 9,609
Thanked: 15,786 Times
| ![]() Even those without extensive experience can accept this. What's more, they do the same even in the city Last edited by ajmat : 24th January 2019 at 17:28. Reason: Stray comma! |
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![]() | #10513 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto
Posts: 562
Thanked: 671 Times
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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! | |
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![]() | #10514 |
Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,666
Thanked: 2,578 Times
| ![]() You've made it into Malayala Manorama: https://www.manoramaonline.com/fastt...see-video.html Their commentary isn't very flattering for you though. |
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![]() | #10515 | |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
![]() Last edited by sinharishi : 20th January 2019 at 19:08. | |
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