(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

[tevriel.livejournal.com]

Er, no, the intention to change lanes is based on whether you want to be in a different lane. The indicator tells all the other cars you want to do this, you're not just being all weird and hesitant because you're insane, you're wanting a gap; if you're indicating, people will often make a gap for you, if you're not, they won't becaues they don't know you want one. Accordingly, it can be entirely reasonable to indicate when there's no gap to change into.

The fundamental rule for being a motorcyclist and not dying also applies to cars: it's best to make sure it's clear to everyone else on the road what you're intending to do. If that's "change lanes", don't slow down and sandbag one lane waiting for a gap without indicating; flick on the indicators, see if there's a gap, if there isn't, keep checking until there's a gap to move into; people won't let you in if they don't know you want in, and people *might* tailgate you in irritation if you're being all hesitant and slow in the lane you *are* in.

Indicators are there to signal intention, not that oh, yes, you do actually know you just started drifting across the lanes.

Sensible motorcyclists will strive to remain easily visible to cars, but it's not always possible to be easily visible to all cars and not all motorcyclists are sensible. The knowledge that the rider who is now decorating your bumper in shades of red and torn metal was a total moron who's a deserving contender for a Darwin award will probably not make you feel any better about having played a part in someone's messy death.

By the way, Alex, have fun driving!

[velithya]

hahaha I love how your last two sentences completely contradict each other :3

Hope you're not too traumatized, duck XD

[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.