lane changing “help for parents teaching learners”

Lane changing is just a process & often  only partially trained. Understanding lane changing safety is crucial for all drivers.

1. is it safe to indicate
2. is it safe to move
3. have I managed the blind spot (very misunderstood)

08/09/2019

1. is it safe to indicate  
   1. we need to separate indicate from movement as they are not the same, yet most drivers indicate as they move which is like checking your parachute as you jump? yup that sounds wrong, but we all see drivers indicate as and after they have moved….. let me see if I can help
   2. firstly lets start at “what makes it unsafe to indicate”
      1. it is common for drivers to say “I can’t indicate” there is a vehicle  beside me (car, truck or bus, motor cycle). which why I don’t indicate as they may think I am going to start moving hence the issue and tie in with current indicator standard use or I indicate as I move.
         1. the indicator is not a magnet so its ok to communicate your desire and not start moving immediately or even waiting till its safe.
         2. With learners it’s a great starting point to just ask them whilst driving in low traffic volumes “is it safe to indicate”, don’t put it on or move, you are just asking the question which is what we want them to automate as part of a process for lane changing.  “is it safe to indicate……..? this engages more thinking than you will realize as all your thoughts are automated, we need to bring them to the surface as active thinking. the knowledge transfer includes, 1-holding a car is a steady safe 7 legal speed, 2- position on road safe and legal, 3-managing long and short front and rear risk impacting my process, 4- managing speed my speed is it safe and legal, 5-managing other vehicles coming from behind in a variable shaped vehicle using a mirrored image, travelling at variable speeds against a variable background. all whilst doing my thing. lets get back to the issue what makes it unsafe to communicate my intention to lane change?
            1. a street on my left when changing from right to left lane has risks that impact indicator use ?
            2. a set of traffic light close has risks that impact indicator use ?
            3. a Maccas/ shopping center/ petrol station car park entry has risks that impact indicator use ?
            4. traffic flow in front has risks that impact indicator use ?
            5. emergency vehicles lights flashing have risks that impact indicator use ?
            6. but a vehicle beside me does not
         3. my indicator is just a communication tool to speak to all other road users not just the vehicle beside me or coming up in other lanes.
         4. Indicators communicate many intentions, lane change, turn, right turn, leaving curb, leaving car park, pulling over…….
   3. if a vehicle does not let you in that is not a risk that should cause you to cancel your communications, someone else will eventually let you in and that is level 2 process.

1. drivers have stopped using the indicator as a safety tool
2. if someone toots because they think you are moving when you are just communicating, it ok to wave, hey!  thanks with all the fingers 🖐🚗, they were not trained effectively in communication.

please subscribe to idrivesafety blog for the next session

https://idrivesafety.com.au/learners/platinum-package/

videos available at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8X8zVdr8g8