Blind Spot Check

[Mr2Mike]

Rawwr said:

Every single time. A habit from motorbikes that transfers well to the car.

You wouldn't last too long on a bike just relying on the mirrors.

[Buzypea]

GadgeS3C said:

Buzypea said:

I’ve never checked over my shoulders when changing lanes. I build up a picture of what Is around me by regularly checking mirrors.

Most importantly on busy motorways, I always put my indicator on for at least two seconds to signal my intention to change lane before I actually do. I’m shocked at the amount of drivers that change lane and indicate at exactly the same time. What was the point of indicating? I can see you’re changing lane, your cars just moved lane.

So you expect others to avoid you because you were indicating?

You COMPLETELY missed the point. Indicating a couple of seconds prior to changing lane allows others to see your intentions before you move. I don’t change lane if it means someone has to change speed or direction. My point was indicating and changing lane at the same time doesn’t give anyone any warning of your intentions and is border line dangerous on busy motorways. I’ve often seen cars nearly colliding in lane 2 after one moves from lane 3 and the other from lane 1 without indicating prior to changing lane.

[Rawwr]

Buzypea said:

I’m shocked at the amount of drivers that change lane and indicate at exactly the same time. What was the point of indicating? I can see you’re changing lane, your cars just moved lane.

It's called 'turndicating'.

[WinstonWolf]

Mr2Mike said:

Rawwr said:

Every single time. A habit from motorbikes that transfers well to the car.

You wouldn't last too long on a bike just relying on the mirrors.

Yup, completely instinctive for bikers whatever vehicle you're using...

[The Dangerous Elk]

I always check by looking if I have no recent awareness of the blind spots. I often reposition my inside mirror a little bit when I get into a busy city.
Check and view is just a basic habit from my early days on bikes.

[_Neal_]

Buzypea said:

You COMPLETELY missed the point. Indicating a couple of seconds prior to changing lane allows others to see your intentions before you move. I don’t change lane if it means someone has to change speed or direction. My point was indicating and changing lane at the same time doesn’t give anyone any warning of your intentions and is border line dangerous on busy motorways. I’ve often seen cars nearly colliding in lane 2 after one moves from lane 3 and the other from lane 1 without indicating prior to changing lane.

It's hard to disagree with the above (indicating and changing lane at the same time on a busy motorway isn't a good thing) but you still never do a check of your blind spot, so if you've missed anyone because your mirror checks weren't perfect, and they were in your blind spot, you'd indicate, wait two seconds, then change lane anyway.

That's a bit worrying, to be honest. You should check your blind spot before making the move, regardless of how long you've been indicating for.

[Huskyman]

I do the blind spot checks over both shoulders, and the mental traffic map. The over the shoulder to the left has helped me spot some interesting driving over the years...
It horrifies me how few do this.

[Dannbodge]

Failed my first driving test for not checking my blind spot when I did the bay park manoeuvre.

I don't really ever check it now and I've never had an issue where I've cut in-front of someone or nearly hit anyone etc.
I'm generally quite observant anyway and most times lean forward and look in the mirror when I change lanes.

[Alucidnation]

If you are driving using proper observations there is no need to check your blind spot at all.

[The Dangerous Elk]

Alucidnation said:

If you are driving using proper observations there is no need to check your blind spot at all.

Disagree, the inside check is essential in busy towns with filtering M-Bikes and Cycles in particular.

[coldel]

The Dangerous Elk said:

Disagree, the inside check is essential in busy towns with filtering M-Bikes and Cycles in particular.

Cyclists coming up the inside when turning left who might not have been to your left a second before, you have to spot those ones as the outcome can be very nasty!

[graham22]

Rawwr said:

Buzypea said:

I’m shocked at the amount of drivers that change lane and indicate at exactly the same time. What was the point of indicating? I can see you’re changing lane, your cars just moved lane.

It's called 'turndicating'.

Maneuver, signal, mirror, panic brake.

[Pica-Pica]

WinstonWolf said:

Mr2Mike said:

Rawwr said:

Every single time. A habit from motorbikes that transfers well to the car.

You wouldn't last too long on a bike just relying on the mirrors.

Yup, completely instinctive for bikers whatever vehicle you're using...

Yup squared.

[cootuk]

Completely different in my 7.5 tonner though. You are limited to using mirrors. Wide angle for long view behind, big ones for close view up the sides, and the left door one for your kerb blind spot. Different driving style though with even more planning ahead than a car

[akirk]

coldel said:

The Dangerous Elk said:

Disagree, the inside check is essential in busy towns with filtering M-Bikes and Cycles in particular.

Cyclists coming up the inside when turning left who might not have been to your left a second before, you have to spot those ones as the outcome can be very nasty!

why would you not have seen them earlier in the mental map you build up?
if they can just appear / e.g. out of a side street - then you have to bring speed down to a point where that still remains safe...

[heebeegeetee]

Alucidnation said:

If you are driving using proper observations there is no need to check your blind spot at all.

Where's your failsafe? In case you've made a mistake, what do use to check?

[Mr2Mike]

Alucidnation said:

If you are driving using proper observations there is no need to check your blind spot at all.

Checking blind spots is part of making proper observations. There's really no valid excuse not to do this.

akirk said:

why would you not have seen them earlier in the mental map you build up?
if they can just appear / e.g. out of a side street - then you have to bring speed down to a point where that still remains safe...

Or you could make proper observations and see them. Why are people so against looking over their shoulder? After some extensive surgery around my neck it's quite demanding of my neck muscles to do this, but even so I wouldn't even consider not doing it and I actually stopped driving for 4-5 months until I had enough neck movement to do so.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 22 November 19:24

[downsman]

I always check.

I also use my mirrors a lot and pride myself on having a good idea of when a car is entering my blind spot and leaving it. For the last 34 years, I've been checking and I can't remember a time when I discovered a car that I hadn't expected.

Until last Sunday that is, when I got the shock of my life, the bloke must have been shadowing me just over my shoulder as we were driving through a tunnel. I'd signalled right while he was beside me, and even started to drift towards the line as I looked over my shoulder. Once I'd moved back and switched off the indicator, I had the chance to have a good look at the driver and passenger. Both were completely unaware that I'd almost turned into them.

[Short Grain]

akirk said:

Hol said:

akirk said:

two stages to checking for when you switch lane:
1 - you should have a continual visual picture of everything around you built up as you drive along and based on continual checking of the mirrors - so there should never be a surprise when you move across
2 - you should then check, e.g. over your shoulder - with a more focused check just before moving...

I suspect a lot of drivers don't do stage 1

I am definitely a Stage 1 guy and constantly update my perception of all the other cars.

I also try to plan all my lane changes way in advance of the actual need to move, including indicating extra early if necessary to give a dawdling car to my outside the option to speed up and pass, or slow down and let me out.

I also like to anticipate the need for cars to my left who may/may not be paying attention and will shortly need to either brake or overtake the car in front of them. l either change lanes or speed up a bit to make space for them.

Edited by Hol on Wednesday 22 November 09:12

In other words - good driving!

And yet I still see many drivers who don't seem to be aware of traffic around them and therefore plan ahead. Pulling out to overtake and causing the car already established in that lane to brake, then pulling back in with inches to spare on the car they've just overtaken. Drivers who deliberately block a car they can see is going to overtake someone, and quite pointedly not looking left as they then slowly go past. Selective blindness seems to be at plague levels, from letting a car out at a junction, to motorway driving. As above, if I see a car ahead is going to have to pull out, I slow down and let them, or if closer, speed up and go past. Unfortunately, either mere courtesy is in short supply, or people are just plain ignorant / bloody minded.

Edited by Short Grain on Wednesday 22 November 20:21

[Ian Geary]

Buzypea said:

GadgeS3C said:

Buzypea said:

I’ve never checked over my shoulders when changing lanes. I build up a picture of what Is around me by regularly checking mirrors.

Most importantly on busy motorways, I always put my indicator on for at least two seconds to signal my intention to change lane before I actually do. I’m shocked at the amount of drivers that change lane and indicate at exactly the same time. What was the point of indicating? I can see you’re changing lane, your cars just moved lane.

So you expect others to avoid you because you were indicating?

You COMPLETELY missed the point. Indicating a couple of seconds prior to changing lane allows others to see your intentions before you move. I don’t change lane if it means someone has to change speed or direction. My point was indicating and changing lane at the same time doesn’t give anyone any warning of your intentions and is border line dangerous on busy motorways. I’ve often seen cars nearly colliding in lane 2 after one moves from lane 3 and the other from lane 1 without indicating prior to changing lane.

Indicating for 2 seconds.. so that's all of, er 2 flashes?

I wouldn't be expecting anyone to give me a medal for that.

Even my ancient Ford can squeeze out 3 flashes with a casual flick of the stalk.

Anyway, no-one's saying they indicate and move at the same time in the first place.

Whilst it's interesting to see theory test answers regurgitated here about driving practices, it's fairly obvious most driver's don't concentrate enough, no matter what the manouvere might be.

As long as you deal with it, why the big hoo har and self back slapping for doing something obvious?

I thought the "advanced driving" forum was for that type of thing.

/Grumpy