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Original poster

Boring question about driving and etiquette

44 replies

OneFrenchEgg · 21/09/2022 23:30

If you are on a main road (two lanes) and it's fairly busy so you can see someone has already pulled out of a side road to turn right (so effectively blocking some of your path) do you pause to let them turn if it's clear for them (no oncoming traffic) or do you swerve round them?
Just interested as I was the pullee and was quite surprised the oncoming driver didn't slow and instead went round me - if I hadn't double checked I'd have gone into the side of him.
Generally I slow to let people out because it feels safer and also if I didn't where we live they'd be trapped forever on the estate. Life would grind to a halt and no one would get to school/work/the gym etc.
no big deal just wondering what people tend to do. Bit like zig zag filtering etc.

OP posts:
Alizzle · 21/09/2022 23:34

I would wait. I am on a difficult road to turn out of and could sit there for hours if I didn't pull out due to road works diverting traffic along the road. Its ignorant to go round and tbh its the type of people that don't merge in turn that do this.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 21/09/2022 23:40

Yes me too, it's just easier. I was just musing about it and whether I would actually go round someone instead. I'd seen them approaching as a tiny car on the horizon but not in a 'pulled out so they had to screech to a halt way'. More a they can slow when they reach me unless I've already crossed.

OP posts:
DuesToTheDirt · 21/09/2022 23:40

I would slow down - while thinking they're a twit for pulling out in front of me on a main road.

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Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 21/09/2022 23:42

DuesToTheDirt · 21/09/2022 23:40

I would slow down - while thinking they're a twit for pulling out in front of me on a main road.

Yes, if it made me have to brake sharply I'd think the same.
I think to be fair sometimes I don't stop at driveways, usually because I haven't clocked someone is trying to exit.

OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 21/09/2022 23:45

Swerving round you/them will take me/you into the opposite lane so I think YADNBU!

alexdgr8 · 21/09/2022 23:45

so you attempted to cut across someone on the main road who had right of way,
and you think they were the ones who were out of order.
i don't think so.
nor would the law.
if someone chooses to give way to you, and it's safe to do so, that's up to them.

but you cannot reverse the right of way by forcing your way out, impeding the stream of traffic on the main road.
maybe take a refresher driving course.

MrAgonyAunt · 21/09/2022 23:49

The other drivers have right of way you should wait until it is safe to merge or join the other lane.
I do what you do ie let in/out others but sadly many people are jjust angry people and don't know how to drive and polite and careful

Often when two lanes merge into one, i wlays let a car in but at times 2/3 push through nose to tail ie bully past an if you honk your horn with a light tap of the horn to let them know you are there they get all animated.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 21/09/2022 23:49

I think 'cutting across' implies some level of danger to them? Rather then just a boring 'pull out into an empty section of road'.
Just interested in what people do generally but thanks for the advice Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 21/09/2022 23:50

Often when two lanes merge into one, i wlays let a car in but at times 2/3 push through nose to tail ie bully past an if you honk your horn with a light tap of the horn to let them know you are there they get all animated.

Yes that's true, same at the chevron rights of way things - one chances it and a whole stream follow.

I think there's being technically in the right and just being helpful.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 21/09/2022 23:56

if I hadn't double checked I'd have gone into the side of him

If that had happened, you’d have been at fault.

It’s nice to let people out, but if it came to an insurance claim, or worse still, a prosecution in the event of death or injury, you’d cop all the blame, unless they were over the speed limit or under the influence.

If it’s a route you do regularly, you know where there may be issues and drive accordingly, but if you’re unfamiliar with the route, you won’t be aware that it’s common for people to push their way out at that junction.

It’s nice when people let you out, but you shouldn’t expect it as a matter of course.

Now then, do you always wave to say thanks or do you do that weird indicator thing?

Rollercoaster1920 · 21/09/2022 23:58

Two different things. The letter of the law, and what people do.

You shouldn't pull out unless it is clear (both lanes).

In busy places people do pull out across lane 1 until someone in lane 2 lets them out. Beware bikes and motorcycles. Any collision you will be deemed at fault.

mondaytosunday · 21/09/2022 23:59

I'd wait and let them go. But I would not let the idiot who indicated he wanted to go in my Lane and then just went ahead and tried to push his way over, even though I was half way besides him. I honked and he looked at me like I should have given way but I looked straight at him and mouthed 'what are you doing'?!?
I live in London and you often have to force your way out, even if you block oncoming traffic for a couple seconds. As we all are moving at a snails pace no one is in danger.
I hasten to add I don't normally drive in central London but the tube was not working AGAIN and had to drive my daughter to school.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/09/2022 00:00

Now then, do you always wave to say thanks or do you do that weird indicator thing?

Oh I'm having to think now, it's second nature to do something.
Hazards for three flashes if I've gone in front plus a raised hand in the rear view?
Raised hand if I'm crossing in front of them (so side on). What about you?

OP posts:
MintJulia · 22/09/2022 00:00

alexdgr8 · 21/09/2022 23:45

so you attempted to cut across someone on the main road who had right of way,
and you think they were the ones who were out of order.
i don't think so.
nor would the law.
if someone chooses to give way to you, and it's safe to do so, that's up to them.

but you cannot reverse the right of way by forcing your way out, impeding the stream of traffic on the main road.
maybe take a refresher driving course.

@alexdgr8 is right. You are breaking the highway code and other drivers are entitled to take whatever evasive action they need to.

If there is an accident and someone has it on dashcam, you will be held at least partially responsible.

If someone pulls out in front of me like that, I'll slow down if it is safe to do so - no homicidal lorry driver behind me - while cursing the ignorance and bad driving of the person who pulled out.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/09/2022 00:03

alexdgr8 is right. You are breaking the highway code and other drivers are entitled to take whatever evasive action they need to

I'm sure you are both right, but it's more a no harm was done, what do people generally do type thread.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 22/09/2022 00:04

I like to wave out of an open window. I always get confused with the indicators 😃

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/09/2022 00:08

Well that's kind of cheery - I worry they can't see me being grateful so kind of go for overkill. Maybe I'll add an open window wave Grin

OP posts:
FacebookPhotos · 22/09/2022 00:10

It depends. I'd pause to let you pull out rather than swerving into the wrong side of the road. But if I could swerve around you without crossing the white line I'd do that. Either way, I'd think you're a bit of a dick for pulling out when the road wasn't clear. The only time that's acceptable is when a junction is so badly designed that you can't see onto the main road due to a wall / hedges / blind bends etc.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/09/2022 00:19

That's a good point - nose out and maybe I would go round. There's a tiny road here that goes in a semi circle with a bus stop on the flat bit and people park in the bus stop so pulling out is like diving with death. That's one where I always slow down to a crawl if I'm in the main road as some poor person is trying not to be hit but also escape from the tiny road.

OP posts:
miraveile · 22/09/2022 00:21

You can't drive in a way that causes someone to slow down etc or change path! If you're pulling out and he had to go around you you pulled out too soon. Not sure why you have to ask?? Why didn't you wait for it to clear?

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/09/2022 00:29

Some roads, people pull out when one side is clear and wait for the other side to clear. During that time, someone might appear to their right and have to slow/stop (I often have to slow /stop for people who've done this which prompted my wondering about others). That's all - not pulling out in front of someone a car length away. Often someone does it as I'm driving and I slow (not in an emergency stop way). Rarely have I seen anyone go round and cross to the other side of the road rather than stop. That's all. Just a bored and wondering thread.

OP posts:
startfresh · 22/09/2022 00:48

alexdgr8 · 21/09/2022 23:45

so you attempted to cut across someone on the main road who had right of way,
and you think they were the ones who were out of order.
i don't think so.
nor would the law.
if someone chooses to give way to you, and it's safe to do so, that's up to them.

but you cannot reverse the right of way by forcing your way out, impeding the stream of traffic on the main road.
maybe take a refresher driving course.

I'm with this completely. I wouldn't let you supersede my ROW.

If it was so far, it was on the horizon, surely you would have made it across before you got there. You didn't so they would have had to stop to let you past, they didn't want to wait. They were within their rights, you weren't.

startfresh · 22/09/2022 00:55

Although on reread it sounds like you were effectively on the same road as the driver. I would stop, not go round, as not suicidal.

But I would think you were a dick for breaking my flow of driving which is the incorrect thing to do and I hate people who pull out illegally like this. I genuinely think they're all dicks.

BadNomad · 22/09/2022 00:59

If I was the other driver in your situation, I would have gone around you too I think. It seems like the safer option than doing an emergency stop in the road without know how close the car behind me was. I don't particularly want to get rear ended. But it depends on how fast I was going and if I would have the time to check behind me before I hit you.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/09/2022 00:59

But I would think you were a dick for breaking my flow of driving which is the incorrect thing to do and I hate people who pull out illegally like this. I genuinely think they're all dicks.

Yes that's the scenario. It's very common locally on a couple of roads otherwise people would be waiting literally hours at peak times to turn right. I've never thought people doing it are dicks, as I've said, I do it myself. Just surprised to encounter someone who clearly felt like you and a couple of other posters do. Not a huge deal, just interested in opinions.

OP posts:
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