Flashed out of a junction on driving test - should you go?
Discussion
mph999 said:
I go on the side of caution ...
Flashing is for one thing only, to warn someone of your presence - yes, I know everyone uses it to let people out/ say thank you but that doesn’t provide any defence if you hit them. I’m not saying I never go if flashed, but 95% of the time I’ll only go, if I could have cleared them if they haven’t flashed - which often means they flash after I have ‘gone’.
Same with indicators, I don’t go until they are very obviously braking and I can get out of the way if they don’t turn, or more usually I’ll wait until they have started to turn. I’ll have to admit that upsets the odd driver behind, but it’s me not them held accountable if I get hit - so I do it my way.
I generally don’t flash to let people out, just slow to allow them to make their own mind up - occasionally I will, but only if there is no way it can be mis-understood by anyone. I’ll use them to say thank you at night when you can’t be seen, but again, only if there is no way it can be mis-understood.I have to admit I’m amazed it’s allowed on a driving test due the possibility of being flashed out only for the person to accelerate into ‘you’. - crash-for-cash style.
I find your statement 'I don't generally flash to let people out, just slow down to allow them to make their own mind up', curious. In any traffic, in any posted speed limit, slowing down in case that guy ahead wants to pull out to turn right, is an open invitation to confusing the trafffic around you. Specifically the driver waiting to emerge from the side road.Flashing is for one thing only, to warn someone of your presence - yes, I know everyone uses it to let people out/ say thank you but that doesn’t provide any defence if you hit them. I’m not saying I never go if flashed, but 95% of the time I’ll only go, if I could have cleared them if they haven’t flashed - which often means they flash after I have ‘gone’.
Same with indicators, I don’t go until they are very obviously braking and I can get out of the way if they don’t turn, or more usually I’ll wait until they have started to turn. I’ll have to admit that upsets the odd driver behind, but it’s me not them held accountable if I get hit - so I do it my way.
I generally don’t flash to let people out, just slow to allow them to make their own mind up - occasionally I will, but only if there is no way it can be mis-understood by anyone. I’ll use them to say thank you at night when you can’t be seen, but again, only if there is no way it can be mis-understood.I have to admit I’m amazed it’s allowed on a driving test due the possibility of being flashed out only for the person to accelerate into ‘you’. - crash-for-cash style.
nonsequitur said:
mph999 said:
I go on the side of caution ...
Flashing is for one thing only, to warn someone of your presence - yes, I know everyone uses it to let people out/ say thank you but that doesn’t provide any defence if you hit them. I’m not saying I never go if flashed, but 95% of the time I’ll only go, if I could have cleared them if they haven’t flashed - which often means they flash after I have ‘gone’.
Same with indicators, I don’t go until they are very obviously braking and I can get out of the way if they don’t turn, or more usually I’ll wait until they have started to turn. I’ll have to admit that upsets the odd driver behind, but it’s me not them held accountable if I get hit - so I do it my way.
I generally don’t flash to let people out, just slow to allow them to make their own mind up - occasionally I will, but only if there is no way it can be mis-understood by anyone. I’ll use them to say thank you at night when you can’t be seen, but again, only if there is no way it can be mis-understood.I have to admit I’m amazed it’s allowed on a driving test due the possibility of being flashed out only for the person to accelerate into ‘you’. - crash-for-cash style.
I find your statement 'I don't generally flash to let people out, just slow down to allow them to make their own mind up', curious. In any traffic, in any posted speed limit, slowing down in case that guy ahead wants to pull out to turn right, is an open invitation to confusing the trafffic around you. Specifically the driver waiting to emerge from the side road.Flashing is for one thing only, to warn someone of your presence - yes, I know everyone uses it to let people out/ say thank you but that doesn’t provide any defence if you hit them. I’m not saying I never go if flashed, but 95% of the time I’ll only go, if I could have cleared them if they haven’t flashed - which often means they flash after I have ‘gone’.
Same with indicators, I don’t go until they are very obviously braking and I can get out of the way if they don’t turn, or more usually I’ll wait until they have started to turn. I’ll have to admit that upsets the odd driver behind, but it’s me not them held accountable if I get hit - so I do it my way.
I generally don’t flash to let people out, just slow to allow them to make their own mind up - occasionally I will, but only if there is no way it can be mis-understood by anyone. I’ll use them to say thank you at night when you can’t be seen, but again, only if there is no way it can be mis-understood.I have to admit I’m amazed it’s allowed on a driving test due the possibility of being flashed out only for the person to accelerate into ‘you’. - crash-for-cash style.
Pica-Pica said:
nonsequitur said:
mph999 said:
I go on the side of caution ...
Flashing is for one thing only, to warn someone of your presence - yes, I know everyone uses it to let people out/ say thank you but that doesn’t provide any defence if you hit them. I’m not saying I never go if flashed, but 95% of the time I’ll only go, if I could have cleared them if they haven’t flashed - which often means they flash after I have ‘gone’.
Same with indicators, I don’t go until they are very obviously braking and I can get out of the way if they don’t turn, or more usually I’ll wait until they have started to turn. I’ll have to admit that upsets the odd driver behind, but it’s me not them held accountable if I get hit - so I do it my way.
I generally don’t flash to let people out, just slow to allow them to make their own mind up - occasionally I will, but only if there is no way it can be mis-understood by anyone. I’ll use them to say thank you at night when you can’t be seen, but again, only if there is no way it can be mis-understood.I have to admit I’m amazed it’s allowed on a driving test due the possibility of being flashed out only for the person to accelerate into ‘you’. - crash-for-cash style.
I find your statement 'I don't generally flash to let people out, just slow down to allow them to make their own mind up', curious. In any traffic, in any posted speed limit, slowing down in case that guy ahead wants to pull out to turn right, is an open invitation to confusing the trafffic around you. Specifically the driver waiting to emerge from the side road.Flashing is for one thing only, to warn someone of your presence - yes, I know everyone uses it to let people out/ say thank you but that doesn’t provide any defence if you hit them. I’m not saying I never go if flashed, but 95% of the time I’ll only go, if I could have cleared them if they haven’t flashed - which often means they flash after I have ‘gone’.
Same with indicators, I don’t go until they are very obviously braking and I can get out of the way if they don’t turn, or more usually I’ll wait until they have started to turn. I’ll have to admit that upsets the odd driver behind, but it’s me not them held accountable if I get hit - so I do it my way.
I generally don’t flash to let people out, just slow to allow them to make their own mind up - occasionally I will, but only if there is no way it can be mis-understood by anyone. I’ll use them to say thank you at night when you can’t be seen, but again, only if there is no way it can be mis-understood.I have to admit I’m amazed it’s allowed on a driving test due the possibility of being flashed out only for the person to accelerate into ‘you’. - crash-for-cash style.
Pica-Pica said:
There are ways and times of doing these things, it is all in the execution, not the principle.
I would argue that you have to adhere the principle to carry out the execution. You are slowing down to see if the driver at the junction will make the move to proceed. Whatever thought may be attached to this manoevre, it is still confusing.cornish said:
I have been teaching my partners son to drive afer the past couple of months and he has done really well and has his test next week. He has had a few professional lessons with a local instructor who said he driving is good hence the test.
So we are out yesterday and at a particularly junction where we wanted to go right the car to our left stops and flashes to let us out. I tell him to wait as I was always told back in the 80’s when I learnt to drive that nobody has the authority to let you out other than the police. I was also told that if you do go and have a crash then it is your fault and saying that the other car flashed is no defense.
So we sit there for a while looking at the other car and it became apparent that the elderly gentleman was keen for us to go so eventually we did and he checked it was clear etc.
I asked the instructor and he said that we were right to go but I am not sure this is right. He came home tonight and said that he heard of someone at college who failed recently for going when flashed when they should have given way.
So my question to any driving instructors or anonymous examiners out there is what should you do?
My gut feel is to wait and say to the examiner that it is not your right of way and just wait.
Any advice would be greatly received.
Flashing of lights is only an indication of their presence. If it encompassed the obvious intent to allow your student out, then your student should do so - after establishing everyone else has understood and it is SAFE to do so.So we are out yesterday and at a particularly junction where we wanted to go right the car to our left stops and flashes to let us out. I tell him to wait as I was always told back in the 80’s when I learnt to drive that nobody has the authority to let you out other than the police. I was also told that if you do go and have a crash then it is your fault and saying that the other car flashed is no defense.
So we sit there for a while looking at the other car and it became apparent that the elderly gentleman was keen for us to go so eventually we did and he checked it was clear etc.
I asked the instructor and he said that we were right to go but I am not sure this is right. He came home tonight and said that he heard of someone at college who failed recently for going when flashed when they should have given way.
So my question to any driving instructors or anonymous examiners out there is what should you do?
My gut feel is to wait and say to the examiner that it is not your right of way and just wait.
Any advice would be greatly received.
Driving has a gaziillion different variables and, it appears in the instance you describe, that your pupil should have "proceeded with caution". Proceeding with caution would indicate to the examiner that the change of priority (letting him/her out) was acknowledged, but also, if the situation then changed, the NEW situation would necessitate a NEW course of best action.
Pothole said:
Not really. There are lines on the road telling us what we should be doing. Just sticking to the generally widely accepted rules of the road would work fine. I really, really don't need someone "saving me" a few seconds by stopping on the main road to let me out of a turning when they could just drive on and I'd pull out perfectly well behind them. I don't really understand why they would make the offer in the first place, let alone why they get so bloody angry when I decline. Are they like that when a visitor says they wouldn't like a cup of tea at their house?
I don't understand why I'm in the wrong for just wanting to follow the rules. Perhaps someone could enlighten me.
Nothing wrong with you wanting others to do what would be a perceived (and probably is) as the better course of action - just the name-calling that went along with it was unnecessary, as they were just trying to make your encounter more pleasant.I don't understand why I'm in the wrong for just wanting to follow the rules. Perhaps someone could enlighten me.
Well, that is my understanding...
Randy Winkman said:
Pica-Pica said:
nonsequitur said:
mph999 said:
I go on the side of caution ...
Flashing is for one thing only, to warn someone of your presence - yes, I know everyone uses it to let people out/ say thank you but that doesn’t provide any defence if you hit them. I’m not saying I never go if flashed, but 95% of the time I’ll only go, if I could have cleared them if they haven’t flashed - which often means they flash after I have ‘gone’.
Same with indicators, I don’t go until they are very obviously braking and I can get out of the way if they don’t turn, or more usually I’ll wait until they have started to turn. I’ll have to admit that upsets the odd driver behind, but it’s me not them held accountable if I get hit - so I do it my way.
I generally don’t flash to let people out, just slow to allow them to make their own mind up - occasionally I will, but only if there is no way it can be mis-understood by anyone. I’ll use them to say thank you at night when you can’t be seen, but again, only if there is no way it can be mis-understood.I have to admit I’m amazed it’s allowed on a driving test due the possibility of being flashed out only for the person to accelerate into ‘you’. - crash-for-cash style.
I find your statement 'I don't generally flash to let people out, just slow down to allow them to make their own mind up', curious. In any traffic, in any posted speed limit, slowing down in case that guy ahead wants to pull out to turn right, is an open invitation to confusing the trafffic around you. Specifically the driver waiting to emerge from the side road.Flashing is for one thing only, to warn someone of your presence - yes, I know everyone uses it to let people out/ say thank you but that doesn’t provide any defence if you hit them. I’m not saying I never go if flashed, but 95% of the time I’ll only go, if I could have cleared them if they haven’t flashed - which often means they flash after I have ‘gone’.
Same with indicators, I don’t go until they are very obviously braking and I can get out of the way if they don’t turn, or more usually I’ll wait until they have started to turn. I’ll have to admit that upsets the odd driver behind, but it’s me not them held accountable if I get hit - so I do it my way.
I generally don’t flash to let people out, just slow to allow them to make their own mind up - occasionally I will, but only if there is no way it can be mis-understood by anyone. I’ll use them to say thank you at night when you can’t be seen, but again, only if there is no way it can be mis-understood.I have to admit I’m amazed it’s allowed on a driving test due the possibility of being flashed out only for the person to accelerate into ‘you’. - crash-for-cash style.
What I tend to do is start the slowing process as early as possible in order for the cogs to whirr earlier...
PhilAsia said:
In the absence of a "normal" flash to go I think it is to be expected.
What I tend to do is start the slowing process as early as possible in order for the cogs to whirr earlier...
Why would you want to slow down, to delay your journey, albeit briefly, when you have priority on the main road, to pass the junction where drivers are almost certainly waiting for a 'natural' gap rather than one which is created by oncoming traffic, and as I say could be confusing. eg 'is he, isn't he.What I tend to do is start the slowing process as early as possible in order for the cogs to whirr earlier...
nonsequitur said:
PhilAsia said:
In the absence of a "normal" flash to go I think it is to be expected.
What I tend to do is start the slowing process as early as possible in order for the cogs to whirr earlier...
Why would you want to slow down, to delay your journey, albeit briefly, when you have priority on the main road, to pass the junction where drivers are almost certainly waiting for a 'natural' gap rather than one which is created by oncoming traffic, and as I say could be confusing. eg 'is he, isn't he.What I tend to do is start the slowing process as early as possible in order for the cogs to whirr earlier...
Mine being one where the traffic is ultra heavy with no discernable break in the traffic, leading me to the thought, "if I do not let him/her out, who will?". Obviously I would be aware that there was no chance of an opportunity to emerge because of my incredible information gathering voodoo.
If I had slowed down early enough, I would then take the opportunity to offer them traditional English non-alcoholic hot refreshments, a piece of cake and a bit of flag-waving!
PhilAsia said:
Obviously we are all in our own "imaginary situation".
Mine being one where the traffic is ultra heavy with no discernable break in the traffic, leading me to the thought, "if I do not let him/her out, who will?". Obviously I would be aware that there was no chance of an opportunity to emerge because of my incredible information gathering voodoo.
If I had slowed down early enough, I would then take the opportunity to offer them traditional English non-alcoholic hot refreshments, a piece of cake and a bit of flag-waving!
Yes, but that is nose to tail crawling traffic. I let two cars out on the way home tonight in that very situation. The main thrust of some argument so far has been: 'Normal' traffic flow in, maybe, a 30 / 40 / 50 but 'slowing down' on approach to a junction hoping that the driver waiting to emerge will pick up the 'message' that it is safe to go.Mine being one where the traffic is ultra heavy with no discernable break in the traffic, leading me to the thought, "if I do not let him/her out, who will?". Obviously I would be aware that there was no chance of an opportunity to emerge because of my incredible information gathering voodoo.
If I had slowed down early enough, I would then take the opportunity to offer them traditional English non-alcoholic hot refreshments, a piece of cake and a bit of flag-waving!
nonsequitur said:
PhilAsia said:
Obviously we are all in our own "imaginary situation".
Mine being one where the traffic is ultra heavy with no discernable break in the traffic, leading me to the thought, "if I do not let him/her out, who will?". Obviously I would be aware that there was no chance of an opportunity to emerge because of my incredible information gathering voodoo.
If I had slowed down early enough, I would then take the opportunity to offer them traditional English non-alcoholic hot refreshments, a piece of cake and a bit of flag-waving!
Yes, but that is nose to tail crawling traffic. I let two cars out on the way home tonight in that very situation. The main thrust of some argument so far has been: 'Normal' traffic flow in, maybe, a 30 / 40 / 50 but 'slowing down' on approach to a junction hoping that the driver waiting to emerge will pick up the 'message' that it is safe to go.Mine being one where the traffic is ultra heavy with no discernable break in the traffic, leading me to the thought, "if I do not let him/her out, who will?". Obviously I would be aware that there was no chance of an opportunity to emerge because of my incredible information gathering voodoo.
If I had slowed down early enough, I would then take the opportunity to offer them traditional English non-alcoholic hot refreshments, a piece of cake and a bit of flag-waving!
nonsequitur said:
PhilAsia said:
Obviously we are all in our own "imaginary situation".
Mine being one where the traffic is ultra heavy with no discernable break in the traffic, leading me to the thought, "if I do not let him/her out, who will?". Obviously I would be aware that there was no chance of an opportunity to emerge because of my incredible information gathering voodoo.
If I had slowed down early enough, I would then take the opportunity to offer them traditional English non-alcoholic hot refreshments, a piece of cake and a bit of flag-waving!
Yes, but that is nose to tail crawling traffic. I let two cars out on the way home tonight in that very situation. The main thrust of some argument so far has been: 'Normal' traffic flow in, maybe, a 30 / 40 / 50 but 'slowing down' on approach to a junction hoping that the driver waiting to emerge will pick up the 'message' that it is safe to go.Mine being one where the traffic is ultra heavy with no discernable break in the traffic, leading me to the thought, "if I do not let him/her out, who will?". Obviously I would be aware that there was no chance of an opportunity to emerge because of my incredible information gathering voodoo.
If I had slowed down early enough, I would then take the opportunity to offer them traditional English non-alcoholic hot refreshments, a piece of cake and a bit of flag-waving!
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