(no subject)

[theducks]

Work was work. Driving lesson was ok, except I should apparently check over my shoulder and check my mirror before indicating, not after :P (in either case, it was before I actually changed lanes :P) Parallel parking sucks. Instructor went "ok, let me show you first" .. and ended up on the kerb. curb? which one is it? hmm.

Riding home was less good. Hit one of the barriers going out of the tunnel under stirling hwy. Ended up with my bike on top of me. Mmm fun. Straightened up handlebars, fixed brakes and front light, and it was ridable home. The front brake is still a little bent, as are the handlebars, but we'll see what I can do about that tomorrow. Got a slightly grazed knee, but nothing permanent :)

Angst Update: Changing the order to check before indicating is going to suck. I'm also worried because I will have only driven the car for 90 minutes total before the test. I'm also worried I'll make the wrong decisions about how to turn around, where to park, etc. Arg angst!

Comments

[dannipenguin.livejournal.com]

You are correct in saying that the indicators are to indicate what you intend to do, however, you should not indicate that you are about to drive into someone. This is why you are meant to check first, you are meant to be aware of your surroundings and the road state before you make any decisions. After you make the decision to changes lanes, and thus indicating your intention, you should check again to make sure that the road state has not changed.

Occasionally, when someone isn't giving way to you, indicating may make them give you some room, however I believe it's considered bad mojo in the context of a driving test. I personally try to avoid doing it, because I think it's a little rude, kind of like pushing in.

The best driving advice I was ever given is that everyone else on the road is an incompetent arsehole. While not true (although there certainly are a number of them), assuming everyone around you is a member of that set puts you in a frame of mind suitable for defensive driving. You never assume that they will make the same decision as you; instead, assume they are going to make the worst decision possible at the time.