Merge in turn- do you indicate?

[surveyor_101]

So I find it frustrating that many people have a massive issue with merge in turn.

This morning in a road layout designed to eliminate traffic lengths.

I came to the end of the lane and attempted to merge and a guy in large mobile home accelerate up the inside of me in a dangerous manor, when I asked the drive why he said I wasn't indicating which since the road layout is clear I have considered it necessary to indicate.

[drdino]

I do indicate, yes. In my mind it shows the intent and is a bit more polite

I do find it difficult to merge in turn sometimes though, especially if people have been using just the one lane for a good distance, with the one ending being empty. People do take offense as if you are skipping the line.

[_Hoppers]

I was taught to indicate when someone would benefit from that signal. I also learnt to give a signal when someone would expect it (even though it isn't necessarily necessary!), such as merge in turn/joining a M/way from a slip road. Some people are just belligerent, ignore them and crack on!

[mat205125]

Yes, I do if in in the lane with the curved arrows joining the other lane

Sounds like camper van man is just the type of utter feckwit who we encounter every day regrettably

Amazes me that the British hobby of queueing means that so many cannot fathom merge in turn, and go to great lengths to aggressively block "queue jumpers"

[Pothole]

surveyor_101 said:

So I find it frustrating that many people have a massive issue with merge in turn.

This morning in a road layout designed to eliminate traffic lengths.

I came to the end of the lane and attempted to merge and a guy in large mobile home accelerate up the inside of me in a dangerous manor, when I asked the drive why he said I wasn't indicating which since the road layout is clear I have considered it necessary to indicate.

Wow, that is large!

It's not necessary, mobile home man is a tt. Happens all the time, sadly. Many, if not most, drivers haven't a clue beyond the stark basics of making a vehicle go, stop and steer.

[carlove]

I do indicate, though I don’t think it’s really necessary as you say you’re following the road markings. I simply find indicting makes people less likely to purposely block you.
I can’t be doing with the drama but I’m going to use the merge lanes because I’d rather not sit pointlessly in a queue, so i indicate, if someone purposely blocks me I’ll let them get on with it, the next car normally will leave the gap, if they don’t that is where I force myself in.

What winds me up more than anything and I do like winding these cocks up by driving past is the ones who move out into the merging lane to block people. They deserve being wound up, so I drive past them. I’ve always been tempted when I’m in the queuing lane and the car in front does this to go into their space in the queue but I’m never brave enough.

[Nampahc Niloc]

I generally indicate, though you’re right, it’s really not necessary.

I also get really annoyed with people’s inability to understand how to do it:

1. Merging far before the correct merge point, which has two effects. It extends the queue much further back, often onto a roundabout/junction and it means that those who merge at the correct point are treated like queue jumpers.

2. Those who tail gate the car in front, so as to not let the other lane merge. Seriously, what is that all about?! It just shows a lack of common decency. Did their parents not teach them how to take turns?

3. Those who straddle both lanes to stop what (I assume) they believe to be queue jumpers, but are really just people following the correct process.

Why do people think there are two lanes open if they only insist on using, and allowing others to use, one?

[Nampahc Niloc]

I should add that I think it’s mainly down to a lack of education. I do like the places where they put signs telling you to “use both lanes when queuing”, though it would appear that many drivers can’t read these signs.

[surveyor_101]

Nampahc Niloc said:

I should add that I think it’s mainly down to a lack of education. I do like the places where they put signs telling you to “use both lanes when queuing”, though it would appear that many drivers can’t read these signs.

I suppose its a very British thing traffic que patiently but this road design kinda deify the nations expectation.

It amazes me how dangerous people with drive just so they don't lose one car length, it seemed he was willing to risk damaging his mobile home and maybe ruining his holiday plans rather than lose that lose a cars length. He looked silly when the traffic stopped dead straight after and slightly upset I flung his door open and scared the hell out of his wife and caught he unaware!

Frustrating thing is these are more and more common in the Southwest, the A303 is riddle with them and the new Bridgwater road bypass in Somerset had about one after each roundabout and having been stuck in the section hardly anyone dare use the second lane, therefore leaving a long que!

[anonymous-user]

Were there gaps before driving to the end to merge in?

[Fastdruid]

It depends on the layout.

I go with the approach of if I "change lanes" (or otherwise cross a dotted line) then I'll signal.

So generally if it's two lanes that become one, no.
If it's one lane that vanishes and I'm in the lane that vanishes, yes.

[WonkeyDonkey]

It doesn't cost anything to indicate so I'm not sure why you wouldn't.

[Pothole]

WonkeyDonkey said:

It doesn't cost anything to indicate so I'm not sure why you wouldn't.

Because there's plenty of signage TELLING EVERYONE WHAT TO DO which makes any such signalling utterly unnecessary?

[surveyor_101]

The Spruce Goose said:

Were there gaps before driving to the end to merge in?

Yes I didn't drive to the very end, there was a gap so I didn't pass the blue crossland.

The camper deliberately drove into the gap and them drove inches up the inside of me.

[surveyor_101]

WonkeyDonkey said:

It doesn't cost anything to indicate so I'm not sure why you wouldn't.

Because the road, markings and lane ends so the natural assumption I had passed the right turn and didn't take it.

There is a line of thinking that if your returning to the left due to this layout or when overtaking on a multi lane that its natural for the car to return to the left in this country.

I am not changing direction but just following the road as it changes.

There are also studies that have shown most drivers need 2-3 secs to react to a indication and in this case there was not time I would argue for it to be of value.

I will single if I expect a driver to allow me into their lane but here the road layout dictates how the traffic should merge and therefore any driver who does not plan or makes a conscious decision to to not allow that to happen does is careless and inconsiderate at best.

[surveyor_101]

Pothole said:

ow, that is large!

It's not necessary, mobile home man is a tt. Happens all the time, sadly. Many, if not most, drivers haven't a clue beyond the stark basics of making a vehicle go, stop and steer.

4

Seems odd since a 3.5tn 4-6 berth 09 plate one of these is normally driven with caution as A they are expensive and B they are wider than some vans.

[surveyor_101]

Pothole said:

Because there's plenty of signage TELLING EVERYONE WHAT TO DO which makes any such signalling utterly unnecessary?

That's my take I was also taught not to when doing DSA and Advanced driver training. If you vehicle is returning left. Its a 30 mph so not high speed.

Highway code doesn't indication is necessary:

Rule 134
You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed. In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily. Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching road works or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed.


The issue I have noted is indicating early enough to be of use tends cause some people in the right lane to accelerate and block you more.

[SS2.]

surveyor_101 said:

The issue I have noted is indicating early enough to be of use tends cause some people in the right lane to accelerate and block you more.

It's as though indicating is some kind of admission to other road users that you're in the 'wrong' lane. And yes, this isn't always well received by fellow motorists.

If it's genuinely merge-in-turn, there should be no need whatsoever to indicate.

[Countdown]

I always indicate. Another thing I've noticed it is that the earlier you merge the less likely you are to encounter some idiot blocking you.

surveyor_101 said:

The issue I have noted is indicating early enough to be of use tends cause some people in the right lane to accelerate and block you more.

Agreed. However what you then find is a gap opening behind the guy who's blocking you for you to slot into, usually without anybody needing to brake and cause the staccato breaking that you get when people aren't merging efficiently.

[irc]

Amazing how s simple thing like merging in turn is beyond the comprehension of most drivers.

Agree a signal isn't strictly needed but is a courtesy as you are usually asking someone to ease off on the throttle to create gap