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-   -   Bad Drivers - How do you spot 'em (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-safety/3580-bad-drivers-how-do-you-spot-em-859.html)

Read my previous post. Looks like you are out of context.

I noticed that the driver continuously used his indicators while changing lanes while he was the quickest driver among the whole lot. I only saw a small portion of the video and I don't think anyone overtook the driver anytime.

Further the video is dated 04th March 2023 and is close to 1 year 9 months old. So, it's an old video on YouTube and not a recent video.

I have a reason for bringing this up. I have noticed drivers using indicators while changing the lane on highways which is a sensible thing to do.

Here are my thoughts and a question or two.

The indicators are used to show your intention that you wish to turn either right or left, somewhere ahead soon and that the vehicles trailing should take note and be aware and adjust their speed/ drive accordingly. In this instance, the driver is gradually reducing the speed and the indicator prompt the trailing drivers to slow down too (if they are in the same lane). So, there's an immediate re-action from the trailing vehicles.

On the highway, when you are changing lane, I am sure, you would check in the IRVM /or IRVM to see if there's any other vehicle trailing in the immediate vicinity before initiating the lane change (atleast that's what I do). If you perceive the speed of the trailing vehicle to be equal or faster than you, then you would use the indicator to signal your intention to change lane and the trailing vehicle to notice and adjust their speed accordingly.

However, now the question is, if you are the fastest car on that road, zigzagging through the maze at high speed with no trailing vehicle who is keeping up with you or trying to race past you, then what's the whole point of using the indicator while changing the lane? It's obvious that there's no risk of collision / contact / rear ending from any other vehicles (as all are obviously slow moving than this car) and when there's no risk, what's the point of indicating that you are weaving/ changing lane as it's a meaning less expression.

The use of indicator while changing lanes on highways makes sense only when there's a threat / risk ofsome other car in immediate vicinity (behind) that could possibly/accidentally rear end your car or collide with your car. That risk is eliminated by the sheer speed of this car doing all the zigzagging at high speed anyway.

Wouldn't it be much better if the driver quietly just zigzagged and drove away (though I wouldn't approve of the speed nor the zigzagging driving). It would be a much silent cabin and relatively peaceful too. The chiming of the indicator adds to the stress in the cabin.

I further guess that the driver is using the indicator while changing lane without conscious effort and it's muscle memory and he may not even be looking in the IRVM /ORVM.

To sum it up,

On the road, you use indicator to change direction ahead and in the process you gradually slow down

On the highway, while changing lanes you use the indicator if there's another trailing vehicle behind you that's maintaining your speed or is faster than you. You need to alert that driver to be cautious/ slow down as you intend to change lanes and you could be entering into his direct path.

On the highway if you are the fastest car, then using indicators while changing lane doesn't make any sense as there's nothing behind you that poses a risk to you. You are just quicker than them all and gone before they realise. So, for whom is the indicator for?

While driving, we have to think carefully about our actions, the reason for the same, the necessity of the same, the situations/ circumstances where a particular action is performed. This is similar to the drivers switching ON the hazard lights during rain or passing through a tunnel. I mean, people don't think why a particular action is performed, what are it's implications, is it necessary or not, would it help them and other road users.

Or we follow the "Monkey See. Monkey do" principle. Some driver does something. It must be important and meaningful, so let me also do it. I will look a thorough professional experienced driver on road.

Where is the critical thinking guys? Seeing the video, just made me question the mindset of the driver and hence my rant

Apologies for the long post.

Using indicators is communication, to whoever sees it. It is not just for following cars. Even if it not needed, it is a good habit. No, it would not be better not to.

Better to have the habit of indicating than not. Better to just do it, don't waste valuable brain cells wondering if one should.

The British driving school mantra is Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvrer.

Is it safe to do what I want to do?
Tell people what I'm going to do,
Do it.

Do I do it when there is absolutely no need? Often, yes! Even when there is little or no chance of anyone being anywhere near.

It's a habit. A good habit.

Here's the bad habit: thinking that indicating gives one right of way. It absolutely does not. So no, you should not do it and expect that traffic coming faster than you should adjust their speed,although they may do so out of courtesy.

Lane change indicators are just that, 'indicators' of intent. 'I intend to switch lanes when safe to do so', not 'Watch out, barging over!'.

Far too many people use it in the latter sense, quite often when they're alongside and not ahead. It's incredibly entitled and often dangerous behavior, esp. at highway speeds. Nobody is entitled to space or right of way simply because they made the little blinky lights go blink blink blink.

All that being said, the problem with selectively following safe driving habits (indicating lane changes, stopping at red lights, not driving faster than your headlamps can illuminate at night etc.) is, it's a matter of when not if one lands on the wrong side of a judgment call. 'Should've indicated. Shouldn't have jumped that red. Should've been slower'.

When is defensive driving appropriate? On a public road, all the time!

^^^^Exactly. There is this new breed of idiots on the road who are so impatient. This combined with trucks in fast lane are creating recipes for disaster. Take this common scenario that I see

Two trucks doing slow overtake. I am the lead car behind the faster truck or I am behind the lead car. Then comes this jackass, into the other lane, goes all the way to back of the slower truck, gives indicator and starts trying to push the lead car off the road. His logic is that he gave indictor so other vehicle must give way. If the lead car does not relent, they try to push the one behind. They do not understand the simple fact that all this is happening at speeds about 40 or 50 and there could be bikes or small vehicles on the left most lip of the road and when this idiot pushes the lead car, that car has no option other than taking evasive action. Now take the scenario where there are two trucks and a tractor or tuk-tuk doing three way slow motion overtake. People go batshit crazy and weave all over trying to find out which one goes ahead first.

So, no. Giving indicator does not give 'right to take the lane'. There are so many scenarios where the car in front of me suddenly jumps to the next lane thinking that that other truck will go ahead and in few seconds jump back into my lane. Every single time, I just keep enough room for that car to come back and avoid accident. No point in taking that space and get into 'ego' battle. But there is no way I am going to let myself pushed towards the lip of the road by car who out of the blue jumps into side lane from behind.

Not a comment on the video in question, but a general thought on use of indicators.

Indicators aren’t just for people behind us. That’s why they are present on all sides, not just the rear.

Suppose we want to overtake a car travelling ahead in the same lane as us. That car may decide to move into our overtaking space to overtake something else ahead of them. When we signal and move, it gives them an opportunity to decide/plan their move. They may abandon their move, reduce speed, and do it after us, or they might speed up to complete it before we move out.

Personally, I do try to keep an eye on indicators (among other things) of cars behind me as well.

I had couple of near misses while changing lane, even after checking RH side ORVM to ensure no body is there in right lane and boom, a 'traffic weaver' comes along. Mostly 2W but occasionally 4W and rarely trucks (Eicher to be specific). Hence, I use indicator always. Also you never know what is the intent of driver following you in same lane and thus gives a heads up.

Pet peeve number “n”. People who park their vehicles right at traffic junctions, thereby blocking visibility AND making it hard to turn.
How hard is it to stop a couple of meters away from the junction?

Sometimes you spot them, and then sometimes you just don't. That motorcyclist who came abruptly from the right literally came out of nowhere. Luckily he at least braked in time and didn't make contact.

This signal is like a gift that keeps giving of bad drivers and our extent of indiscipline. Just for context:

# My car is in the right most lane and literally first off the line to leave when the light turned green, on what is anyway a very very short signal.
# Even within the bounds of necessary moving in red, that motorcylist was neither part of the immediately preceding green light nor the immediately succeeding one. He literally just wanted to make a bolt for it in the middle of everything.
# The two traffic cops at the end of the video really need to be in the thick of the action. I had stopped to tell them so. Instead they're serving and protecting (to borrow a phrase) dealing with these two transport tempos for what is most likely some sort of technical offense, instead of being in the centre of manning the chaos.

Enjoy!

https://youtube.com/shorts/bJ5ZY-qqK...7_7K3wSLH9lzd8

The disease of watching a video while driving is spreading in Bangalore, mostly by commercial drivers of cars. Twice I have been bumped in the rear, in slow moving traffic, by idiots watching a video and not braking. Yesterday I was privileged to follow this guy driving a Wagon R , watching a video on his phone attached to the middle of the dashboard. At a stationary signal, I spotted a traffic cop standing some 3 car lengths away from this luminary and asked him to go and book the driver. He laughed and, alas, went back to watching HIS phone ! Talking on the phone while driving is passe; I don't give talkers a second glance now. It's the video watchers who get me mad.

My dashcam video isn't very clear, but look through the rear windshield and you can clearly see the video playing. I could see the movie clearly and if I was a movie buff, which I am not, might even have identified what it was :unhappy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLPD95KIokQ

More & more bikes are seen lately with this accessory. Wonder what it is.

Terribly irresponsible, not using the elbow guard as intended.

Many years ago, a friend of mine, aged around 45-50 years, working in a shipping company, was riding his Bajaj Scooter to office in the morning, and as he rode along the busy highway between Madgaon and Vasco, , he noticed a few cows lazing in the middle of the road. He must be riding quite slow, perhaps 25-30 Kmph or even slower and as he tried to navigate between the cows, for some unknown reason, the scooter skidded and he fell to the ground head first..

He suffered a brain hemorrhage and died on the spot.

His helmet was dangling, attached to the rear seat side hook and watching the man die.

It's been many years, but I haven't forgotten that incident. Even at the slowest speed of say 20-25 Kmph, if a rider falls to the ground and if his head hits the road, there's all the possibilities of brain hemorrhage/ injury resulting in fatality.

I have been riding since over 4 decades and I don't remember a single instance when I wasn't wearing a helmet snugly on my head, tightly strapped on, while riding, speed and distance immaterial..

This is what it is:


Ho apna jeena to jeena...
Tashan mein, tashan mein, tashan mein, tashan

Sir, That is 'common sense', hanging by a thread.

I think, only two things will prevent unavoidable deaths and unwanted injuries in India.

A sustained, relentless, high decibel campaign jointly by governments and all sorts of vehicle manufacturers.

A dedicated policing force across all states to enforce road safety adherence.

Self realization is no where found here and even technology like AI cameras will only take us to certain distance only.

The big question though is who will take up this thankless job in the corridors of power.