Two driving questions

[RogerS]

I'm well aware that driving instruction changes over time and just wondered what the current recommendations are in the following circumstance.

1) Line of parked cars down one side of the road with empty gaps (drives etc) of a few cars length. It makes sense to me to simply continue driving in a straight line that takes you clear of the parked vehicles yet leaving enough room for an oncoming car to proceed at the same time. But I've noticed that quite a few cars (usually driven by women, as it happens, but that may be a correlation and not causation!) where they constantly weave in and out of the gaps but naturally as they weave back out again they inevitably swing out more into the oncoming traffic.

So is this the recommended way of driving these days or just simply crap driving?

Just curious.

2) Driving my elderly Disco one is quite content to sit behind a slower driver because the Disco really needs a fortnight's warning to safely accelerate and overtake. And leaving a decent amount of room for anyone to over take me and then the car in front if they so wish. I'm a great believer in letting people crack on if they want to and often there will be a motorcyclist wanting to overtake but they won't be sure whether or not I am going to also want to overtake. So they hang back but TBH I'd rather they crack on and overtake. So is there any form of indication that is universally recognised so that they can overtake sooner? In the old days, we wound our windows down and waved people on but it's a long time since I saw anyone do that! As a motorcyclist, what would you look for ?

TIA

 

[Noel]

Quick couple of flashes with the left indicator and slight slowing/sticking to left hand side usually gives the message for somebody behind to overtake, assuming it's clear up ahead. Having said that not everybody seems to understand the message these days. I've seen some folk ignore/not understand and/or start slowing as well wondering what's up. Bikers are usually ok and batter on past.

 

[DiscoStu]

I don't technically know the answer to either of these but, I'm with you on point one, stay out rather than weaving in and out, but I guess it's a judgment call on how big the gap is as to whether or not to move back in. I did a minibus driving course and one of the things that talks about is a defensive driving style, but in some situations you are taught to take control of the road, such as you describe, you would move well over to give plenty of space between you and the parked cars and essentially declare that space as yours. In other words you wouldn't squeeze through a narrow gap, you control the situation. However you are also taught that when space is limited you should stop and let the car squeeze past you, then if they hit you it is their responsibility and not yours!

I used to have a Disco 1 and loved it, such a fab vehicle and revolutionary when it came out. I now drive a 3 and that is my number one passion.

 

[RogerS]

Quick couple of flashes with the left indicator and slight slowing/sticking to left hand side usually gives the message for somebody behind to overtake, assuming it's clear up ahead. Having said that not everybody seems to understand the message these days. I've seen some folk ignore/not understand and/or start slowing as well wondering what's up. Bikers are usually ok and batter on past.

I'm with you on that one, Noel. Totally agree..

@DiscoStu...what you say makes a lot of sense.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yes. A quick blip of the left indicator works. I don't know why someone hasn't come up with a universal "thank you" signal either. Car drivers (me included, when in a car) criticise bikes for riding in their blind spot, but when you're on a bike it's more often than not the best place to be - you can easily pull in out of the way of oncoming traffic, or else you're close enough to the car and far enough out to pass easily and quickly.

 

[mailee]

As a biker who recently passed the test I was instructed to ride in the 4 0' clock position to dominate your space in the road. In this position you are clear of any obstructions on the left and also can 'pop' in and out to show your there to the vehicle in front. This is especially true with a van without any rear windows. :wink:

 

[MickCheese]

Keep out if it is safe to do so. Each time you dip into a gap you lose some vision making the next venture out a little 'blind'. Staying out allows oncoming drivers to see you in plenty of time and you can plan which gap you are going move into to give way to the oncoming vehicles. In that way you can flow down the road without constantly braking and making the whole journey very uncomfortable.

 

[cedarwood]

There is one very obvious problem with signaling another driver to overtake and that is if they do act on your signal and then have an accident because of doing so they could then blame you for it, so I never try to give others such signals and let them decide if they wish to pass or not.

 

[wellywood]

IMHO to overtake or not overtake is best left to the judgement of the overtaking driver.
I've had some nasty experiences being 'waved-on' to overtake by the vehicle in front whose driver obviously needs a prescription windscreen and can't see the on-coming traffic or the blind bend ahead.

My pet hate (and related to the weaving in and out between parked vehicles) is the, perhaps peculiar to NZ, habit of driving half on the road and half on the hard shoulder. It encourages following drivers to try and overtake in the half-lane that's available only to suddenly have the vehicle ahead pull back fully into the lane to avoid an obstruction on the hard-shoulder.

BTW, we still have drivers on the road who are fully licensed but have never sat a test. They're a hangover from the days when you simply applied for and were issued with one.

 

[Deejay]

Afternoon all

Alan

I was instructed to ride in the 4 0' clock position

Please explain. :?

Cheers

Dave

 

[RogerS]

Afternoon all

Alan

I was instructed to ride in the 4 0' clock position

Please explain. :?

Cheers

Dave

It's on Page 46 of the Kama Sutra

 

[SammyQ]

Kama Sutra or Kawa Saki? :twisted:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

There is one very obvious problem with signaling another driver to overtake and that is if they do act on your signal and then have an accident because of doing so they could then blame you for it, so I never try to give others such signals and let them decide if they wish to pass or not.

Agreed, but a blip of your indicator just shows you're not about to pull out in front of them. It's still up to them - it's not as if you have waved them on.

 

[DrPhill]

I have been a motorcyclist, but gave it up. I sometimes indicate as suggested, but more often use road position. The roads round here are mostly narrow and wiggly. If I know there is a good space for a bike to overtake, I hog the white line until I reach the overtaking stretch. I then pull sharply to the left of my lane and slow gently. If the rider is alert, and competent then that is generally all the hint that is needed. A nod of the head or a wave of the left hand usually follows - acknowledging my assistance, or at maybe just my intent. I do not worry much about thanks though - plenty have let me past in days of yore, and it is payback time now.

I do not do the same for cars as there are few places locally I want a car hooning past. If I get really annoying gits who sniff my exhaust I just get slower and slower until it is safe for them to get past. Not that it happens often round here - outside tourist season at least.

Phill

 

[mailee]

Sorry should have explained, it means a position about two thirds of the way out from the curb. I assume it is derived from military speak indicating positions on a clock face. :wink: I am also with Phill and will pull over slightly to the left if someone wants to pass me while on the bike. (I don't ride that fast) :lol:

 

[deserter]

Is it still called the command position?

 

[Tom K]

I pull over to the left and then make it obvious I'm checking my drivers mirror to acknowledge the rider is there.

 

[beech1948]

I think this flipping of indicators on cars to signal a motorcyclist to overtake is utter tosh and the worst idea possible.

1) Its not in the Highway code because its a myth. Who has routinely been told this or uses this. I have 49 yrs driving and riding experience including an Advanced Driving Certificate and a Defensive Driving Cert (= to Police Drivers training at the least) and have never heard this.

2) The potential for miscommunication is very real and likely to get the motorcyclist killed when the dozy car driver does something different. How does the motorcyclist know what the car driver intends except through telepathy.?

3) The Command Position is sensible and necessary for motorcyclists who usually can travel faster than cars but this has nothing to do with twiddling with car indicators and every thing to do with the attitude and skills of the motorcyclist.

Drive safe..ride safe.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

That is the point. You are not signalling a motorcyclist to overtake, you are signalling that you will not get in his way if he chooses to so.

 

[beech1948]

And the motorcyclist knows this how.? Your back to telepathy. The only person who thinks he knows what happening is the driver of the car BUT...there are many reasons why that driver could get thrown off course

1) A bloody big pot hole ( all too frequent) he needs to avoid
2) Cats, dogs, squirrels etc etc
3) Pedestrians
4) Cyclists
5) Puddle avoidance
6) Birds flying across the cars front
7) etc etc etc

The car driver may think he is doing the right thing but given the number and frequency of random events on the road its more likely he will be putting someone in danger.

It is upto the motorcycle rider to decide when and if he/she wishes to overtake and how fast, how close to the car as well as when to pull in. Other than keeping their position on the road the car driver has no say in this at all and should do nothing odd, strange or mythical.

The last time I was aware of a driver signalling like this was in the wilds of Scotland, I pulled out to pass with a long straight ahead, he opened his door to throw out a package of some kind and deliberately attempted to knock me off my bike......just a dozy driver or maybe a random event.

Stop twiddling with the indicators and just keep a steady position. That's all the motorcyclist needs from you.