A strange local traffic signal...(indicator for overtaking)

Surprise · 9th May 2005, 18:43

Just a small addition to VIVAID

While in the process of overtaking, the lights of the overtaking vehicle needs to be shifted from DIP to DIM and vice versa. This enables the driver of the vehicle coming in the opposite direction (WHY DO YOU OVERTAKE WHEN A VEHICLE COMES AT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION) to judge the distance between the vehicles and decide whether to slow down the vehicle or continue the existing acceleration

Beemer · 9th May 2005, 23:53

Seriously , it is too weird but thats the way it goes

, though i really would love to know the history behind this , lets hope GTO someone at team bhp might come up with a genuine reason behind this(though i suspect) ....

lamborghini · 10th May 2005, 00:01

There was a post in this thread with the History.
Go read it.

Beemer · 10th May 2005, 00:23

Thanx lambo , but a person driving on a highway for the first time(until he is taught) would find it bit weird as i heaven't heard this happening in any other country(i may be wrong) !

speedsatya · 10th May 2005, 01:12

also ,when driving in fog,rain or when blinded by the oncoming traffic at night it helps to turn on your RHS indicators so that others know of ur vehicle size.

nitinbhag · 10th May 2005, 12:13

Guys, this is a country where the side indicators are not normally used to indicate an intention of turning.. If you drive on the highways long enough (and survive) you develop the instinct of judging what the right indicator on a vehicle ahead of you would mean.. Most of the time it means - he Bhagwan, rakshaa karnaa, overtake kar rahaa hoon..
Jokes apart, this is a very illogical system followed on our highways.. I have had close calls with trucks intending to turn right into dhabas/fuel stations.. only way to make sure is to watch and overtake when there is no opportunity for the fellow to turn right.. once committed to overtaking, honk and trust in your family deity :-)

hemlock · 10th May 2005, 12:50

Guys , here is another one, one of my collegues (an american), talks of a different problem. It seems in the US and elsewhere, you flash your headlights as a yield signal.
Here in india, as we all know, it indicates "you wait there you piece of @#$% , i'm coming through"

Imagine the americans plight when he sees someone flashing his headlight and happyly drives on thinking it's a yield signal.

Till i got this piece of info, i always wondered why those yellow buttons on the fiero said pass . when they actually meant the opposite :-D

Revvhead · 10th May 2005, 14:34

as far as i know, it is the international signal asking the other chap to yield-
Used it in spain too, and no problems there

superavi · 10th May 2005, 16:35

Some person in one of the auto magazines had proposed a "pass" light for the trucks, cars et al. So when this light is on, it would mean clearance to overtake. It could also be of a unique colour so there is no mistaking it for any other indication. "Blue" could be a good colour.

I think that should do the trick.

And all americans wanting to drive should be made aware of this "pass" signal of ours, which actually means "fail"!!

sumirish · 19th June 2006, 15:38

I am sure this has been discussed before in this forum. It is exasperating to follow some Indian drivers ( mostly truck drivers on the highway) who indicate a right signal when you honk and want to pass them . By this, these over-smart morons are actually signaling to you to overtake... Some trucks have their right indicators turned for keeps till they reach the destinations. Maybe the unfortunate motorist behind the said truck never lived to tell the tale, but do those truck drivers have any idea how misleading this can be to the motorist sharing the road behind ? Is there any way these people can be educated?.

condor · 19th June 2006, 15:45

Sumirish, would say no matter what the guy in front of you signals, pls use your judgement before you overtake

Also, at night, trucks & buses use the right indicator when they are being overtaken, till you complete the move and you are ahead of them. This is to give you an idea of their position while you are passing them.

From what I have heard from professional drivers, truck drivers from TN are supposed to observe lane discipline very well when on the highways, and have pretty good highway manners. [I notice you are in Chennai].

sumirish · 19th June 2006, 15:50

This 'right indicator to overtake' is pretty much part of the local culture as well. Wonder from where and whom the wisdom originated....

iraghava · 19th June 2006, 15:52

In North India that's the most widely used method by drivers of heavy vehicles to let you know it's safe to overtake. I don't think it is a surprise to anyone travelling regularly on highways. And yes it also indicates their position in the dark as condor managed.

Steeroid · 19th June 2006, 15:55

Its very misleading. Used to confuse me at first why people want to turn right just at the moment I want to overtake, till I figured out the logic. I'm still wary, though - what if the chap REALLY wants to turn right?

An elderly gentleman ran his scooter into my car because I wanted to turn right and he thought it was a signal to overtake - the Kinetic that was behind me to the left suddenly moved to the right just as I was making a right turn!

I'd much prefer it if people turned on the LEFT indicator, if they HAD to use the indicator to give permission to overtake. That is much more natural because if you were turning to the left and I were going straight ahead I'd move a bit more to the right behind you. At least I wont crash into you if you really wanted to turn.

condor · 19th June 2006, 16:03

Steeroid, I wouldnt use the same logic for highways and city driving. In-city, it's chaos, esp with the two-wheelers. They often leave their indicators on, under-estimate the space they are taking, under-estimate the space a 4-wheeler needs .. the works ...

I have observed the professional drivers on highways, and dont remember seeing anyone [read -trucks / ST buses] using other ways of indicating their positions. Using the left indicatior will mean the indicators in use by the guy who is being overtaken, are on the far/hidden side and cannot most times be seen by the guy who is overtaking.

Using the right indicator by the guy who is being overtaken seems to be the language of HCV drivers on the highways.

9th May 2005, 18:43	#16
Surprise Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,523 Thanked: 454 Times	Just a small addition to VIVAID While in the process of overtaking, the lights of the overtaking vehicle needs to be shifted from DIP to DIM and vice versa. This enables the driver of the vehicle coming in the opposite direction (WHY DO YOU OVERTAKE WHEN A VEHICLE COMES AT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION) to judge the distance between the vehicles and decide whether to slow down the vehicle or continue the existing acceleration
	() Thanks

9th May 2005, 23:53	#17
Beemer BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: delhi Posts: 384 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Seriously , it is too weird but thats the way it goes , though i really would love to know the history behind this , lets hope GTO someone at team bhp might come up with a genuine reason behind this(though i suspect) .... Last edited by Beemer : 10th May 2005 at 00:03.
	() Thanks

10th May 2005, 00:01	#18
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,113 Thanked: 5,760 Times View My Garage	There was a post in this thread with the History. Go read it.
	() Thanks

10th May 2005, 00:23	#19
Beemer BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: delhi Posts: 384 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Thanx lambo , but a person driving on a highway for the first time(until he is taught) would find it bit weird as i heaven't heard this happening in any other country(i may be wrong) !
	() Thanks

10th May 2005, 01:12	#20
speedsatya Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore/manga Posts: 3,169 Thanked: 738 Times View My Garage	also ,when driving in fog,rain or when blinded by the oncoming traffic at night it helps to turn on your RHS indicators so that others know of ur vehicle size.
	() Thanks

10th May 2005, 12:13	#21
nitinbhag BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 262 Thanked: 2 Times	Guys, this is a country where the side indicators are not normally used to indicate an intention of turning.. If you drive on the highways long enough (and survive) you develop the instinct of judging what the right indicator on a vehicle ahead of you would mean.. Most of the time it means - he Bhagwan, rakshaa karnaa, overtake kar rahaa hoon.. Jokes apart, this is a very illogical system followed on our highways.. I have had close calls with trucks intending to turn right into dhabas/fuel stations.. only way to make sure is to watch and overtake when there is no opportunity for the fellow to turn right.. once committed to overtaking, honk and trust in your family deity :-)
	() Thanks

10th May 2005, 12:50	#22
hemlock BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 78 Thanked: 15 Times	Guys , here is another one, one of my collegues (an american), talks of a different problem. It seems in the US and elsewhere, you flash your headlights as a yield signal. Here in india, as we all know, it indicates "you wait there you piece of @#$% , i'm coming through" Imagine the americans plight when he sees someone flashing his headlight and happyly drives on thinking it's a yield signal. Till i got this piece of info, i always wondered why those yellow buttons on the fiero said pass . when they actually meant the opposite :-D
	() Thanks

10th May 2005, 14:34	#23
Revvhead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 450 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	as far as i know, it is the international signal asking the other chap to yield- Used it in spain too, and no problems there
	() Thanks

10th May 2005, 16:35	#24
superavi BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London Posts: 286 Thanked: 29 Times	Some person in one of the auto magazines had proposed a "pass" light for the trucks, cars et al. So when this light is on, it would mean clearance to overtake. It could also be of a unique colour so there is no mistaking it for any other indication. "Blue" could be a good colour. I think that should do the trick. And all americans wanting to drive should be made aware of this "pass" signal of ours, which actually means "fail"!!
	() Thanks

19th June 2006, 15:38	#25
sumirish Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 11 Thanked: Once	Right signal means overtake ! I am sure this has been discussed before in this forum. It is exasperating to follow some Indian drivers ( mostly truck drivers on the highway) who indicate a right signal when you honk and want to pass them . By this, these over-smart morons are actually signaling to you to overtake... Some trucks have their right indicators turned for keeps till they reach the destinations. Maybe the unfortunate motorist behind the said truck never lived to tell the tale, but do those truck drivers have any idea how misleading this can be to the motorist sharing the road behind ? Is there any way these people can be educated?.
	() Thanks

19th June 2006, 15:45	#26
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,014 Times View My Garage	Sumirish, would say no matter what the guy in front of you signals, pls use your judgement before you overtake Also, at night, trucks & buses use the right indicator when they are being overtaken, till you complete the move and you are ahead of them. This is to give you an idea of their position while you are passing them. From what I have heard from professional drivers, truck drivers from TN are supposed to observe lane discipline very well when on the highways, and have pretty good highway manners. [I notice you are in Chennai].
	() Thanks

19th June 2006, 15:50	#27
sumirish Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 11 Thanked: Once	This 'right indicator to overtake' is pretty much part of the local culture as well. Wonder from where and whom the wisdom originated....
	() Thanks

19th June 2006, 15:52	#28
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	In North India that's the most widely used method by drivers of heavy vehicles to let you know it's safe to overtake. I don't think it is a surprise to anyone travelling regularly on highways. And yes it also indicates their position in the dark as condor managed.
	() Thanks

19th June 2006, 15:55	#29
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Its very misleading. Used to confuse me at first why people want to turn right just at the moment I want to overtake, till I figured out the logic. I'm still wary, though - what if the chap REALLY wants to turn right? An elderly gentleman ran his scooter into my car because I wanted to turn right and he thought it was a signal to overtake - the Kinetic that was behind me to the left suddenly moved to the right just as I was making a right turn! I'd much prefer it if people turned on the LEFT indicator, if they HAD to use the indicator to give permission to overtake. That is much more natural because if you were turning to the left and I were going straight ahead I'd move a bit more to the right behind you. At least I wont crash into you if you really wanted to turn.
	() Thanks

19th June 2006, 16:03	#30
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,014 Times View My Garage	Steeroid, I wouldnt use the same logic for highways and city driving. In-city, it's chaos, esp with the two-wheelers. They often leave their indicators on, under-estimate the space they are taking, under-estimate the space a 4-wheeler needs .. the works ... I have observed the professional drivers on highways, and dont remember seeing anyone [read -trucks / ST buses] using other ways of indicating their positions. Using the left indicatior will mean the indicators in use by the guy who is being overtaken, are on the far/hidden side and cannot most times be seen by the guy who is overtaking. Using the right indicator by the guy who is being overtaken seems to be the language of HCV drivers on the highways. Last edited by condor : 19th June 2006 at 16:06.
	() Thanks