yeah I know what you mean. But what's with the americans and big cars? Here in europe, it's pretty much the opposite. People love small, compact cars... just the kind to weave in and out of traffic!
Road lane are there to help drivers and normally it is not illegal to change lanes providing you are considerate and do it safely. There is no restriction on how many times you can change lanes so providing its done safely than i do not see anything wrong with it.
Weaving in and out of traffic - not the best driving style, I have to say. Lane changes are a simple procedure but we all know how challenging they can be (especially for newer drivers) and some of us also know how DANGEROUS they are.
Lane changes should be minimized: There is no need to pass a slower driver if you both need to stop or if he is about to go out at an exit or turn. Treat any lane change or any lane position other than the right lane like overtaking on a single carriageway: Now that's not something you want to make a habit of doing, don't you?
The measures you can take to be safer in lane changes are:
1. Keep right and reduce the amount of lane changes
2. When you change lanes - adjust speed and than move left as late as safely possible. Pull back right - as early as safely possible and THAN adjust the speed back.
3. Use up as much road as possible to make the lane change as long and gradual as possible. "Slip" into the other lane.
4. Signal at least three or four seconds in advance. Add a hand signal if you need to avoid ambiguity or give further notice to other drivers. Even if you are certain that there are no other road users - give a short signal to ensure you didn't miss anyone.
5. Ensure a proper mirror alignment to minimize blindspots and if you must - even use additional auxiliary side mirrors to get more information of what's around you. Don't use interior convex mirrors, though! A system to detect cars and bikes in the blind spot can also help!
6. Check the mirrors (interior and exterior) at least eight times per minute, regardless of any lane changes. Before the lane change, check the interior mirror and relevant side mirror
7. Move your head gently to check the mirrors, and move it further to see what's besides you, but without looking sideways or behind (which makes you blind to what's in front). You can also lean forward when looking in the mirror to get a similar effect. When pulling out of a stopped or slow-moving queue or when pulling into the road from a parking space by the curb, you may turn your head further around, even towards the rear side window.
8. Recheck the side mirror at least once more during the lane change. Since it's going to be gradual - you would have time to recheck the mirrors at least once more.
9. Keep all mirrors and windows clean inside and out. Keep the driver's side window slightly open on top, remain concentrated and drive at a suitable speed. Keep both hands on the steering and look forward for hazards.
The more of these steps you combine together, the better. Of course, there is such a thing as taking too big a safety margin, which compromises safety elsewhere - like turning your head all around to check for cars in the blindspot while losing things in front or using convex mirrors that are not needed, but anything else is perfectly suitable for use!
I think that the European taste for small and compact cars is a delicate one. The national car fleet is one of the expressions of a proper driving culture and small cars are not that much a show-off. Also, their lower gas consumption has been proven to be linked to less collisions.
Smaller cars are quicker to accelerate to the speed of traffic or overtake and also quicker to stop in front of obstacles and to change direction and, unlike what some drivers might think - they are not less safe in a collision!
Weaving in and out of traffic - not the best driving style, I have to say. Lane changes are a simple procedure but we all know how challenging they can be (especially for newer drivers) and some of us also know how DANGEROUS they are.
Lane changes should be minimized: There is no need to pass a slower driver if you both need to stop or if he is about to go out at an exit or turn. Treat any lane change or any lane position other than the right lane like overtaking on a single carriageway: Now that's not something you want to make a habit of doing, don't you?
The measures you can take to be safer in lane changes are:
1. Keep right and reduce the amount of lane changes
2. When you change lanes - adjust speed and than move left as late as safely possible. Pull back right - as early as safely possible and THAN adjust the speed back.
3. Use up as much road as possible to make the lane change as long and gradual as possible. "Slip" into the other lane.
4. Signal at least three or four seconds in advance. Add a hand signal if you need to avoid ambiguity or give further notice to other drivers. Even if you are certain that there are no other road users - give a short signal to ensure you didn't miss anyone.
5. Ensure a proper mirror alignment to minimize blindspots and if you must - even use additional auxiliary side mirrors to get more information of what's around you. Don't use interior convex mirrors, though! A system to detect cars and bikes in the blind spot can also help!
6. Check the mirrors (interior and exterior) at least eight times per minute, regardless of any lane changes. Before the lane change, check the interior mirror and relevant side mirror
7. Move your head gently to check the mirrors, and move it further to see what's besides you, but without looking sideways or behind (which makes you blind to what's in front). You can also lean forward when looking in the mirror to get a similar effect. When pulling out of a stopped or slow-moving queue or when pulling into the road from a parking space by the curb, you may turn your head further around, even towards the rear side window.
8. Recheck the side mirror at least once more during the lane change. Since it's going to be gradual - you would have time to recheck the mirrors at least once more.
9. Keep all mirrors and windows clean inside and out. Keep the driver's side window slightly open on top, remain concentrated and drive at a suitable speed. Keep both hands on the steering and look forward for hazards.
The more of these steps you combine together, the better. Of course, there is such a thing as taking too big a safety margin, which compromises safety elsewhere - like turning your head all around to check for cars in the blindspot while losing things in front or using convex mirrors that are not needed, but anything else is perfectly suitable for use!
I think that the European taste for small and compact cars is a delicate one. The national car fleet is one of the expressions of a proper driving culture and small cars are not that much a show-off. Also, their lower gas consumption has been proven to be linked to less collisions.
Smaller cars are quicker to accelerate to the speed of traffic or overtake and also quicker to stop in front of obstacles and to change direction and, unlike what some drivers might think - they are not less safe in a collision!
Great post. But check mirror at least 8 times per minute?? Whew!
I fear I lose sight of the road when I check the mirrors too often, but am slowly gradually, getting there. It's becoming more natural and easier now.
Have to say, I found this bit tough though - you know, having to constantly check mirrors before every manoeuvre. I still keep forgetting! Really gotta make it a habit.
It gets easier over time. Start with five times per minute and a quick peek at the interior mirror whenever you start to slow down. That standard is also good in a situation where traffic is thin.
Checking the mirrors can help to keep a driver focused on the road. Repeating a certain action in cycles is the best way to generate focus. I always recommend drivers to ensure they check mirrors and check the gap from the car in front frequently if they try to talk on the speaker, which is distracting.
When you get experienced, you will manage to check the mirrors (not necessarily all three) even fifteen times per minute when driving slowly in a traffic jam.
Glance at the mirrors - unless you're changing lanes there is no need to move the neck (unless you can't see well - particularly in the offside mirror). Ensure a PROPER mirror adjustment and work on taking only quick peeks in the mirror - about half a second.
Try to audibly describe what you can see in the mirror. Start with identifying when it's "clear" or not and call out "clear" or "occupied" and when you get the hang of it - try to look for the color of the car you can see in the mirror, and gradually build your ability to notice details from a quick peek.
You can count "one, two, three, four, five (look at interior mirror), six, seven, eight (look at the side mirror)" and over again. This will get you into the habit of checking the mirrors periodically and to check them quickly enough.
And as for "forgetting" to check the mirrors - that's the whole idea behind checking the mirrors frequently (even when you are not changing lanes) and for taking additional safety procautions when changing lanes - so that even if you forget - nothing too bad will happen, since you already got some idea of what's around you from the last mirror check and since you are taking other procautions like a "gradual" lane change, signaling and other means.
Joined: Aug 02, 2006
Posts: 705
Location: McLean, VA, USA
Posted:
Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:22 pm
Astraist wrote:
Weaving in and out of traffic - not the best driving style, I have to say. ...
...Lane changes should be minimized...
Strongly disagree. You want to always have the position on the road that allows the most margin for error - and as the road situation changes constantly, so does the best position. And your position first of all is defined by the lane you occupy.
I actually agree, Misha. That's why I say minimize lane changes, rather than AVOID lane changes. I also dislike the saying that the less lane changes the safer you are. Sometimes a lane change is necessary for safety. Avoiding a lane change in this situation again means that you are taking a too large safety margin, which is bound to compromise safety in another aspect.
It does happen that a lane change is necessary to pass a hazard, even just a potential one. For instance, it's perfectly reasonable and advised to move one lane to the left prior to an interchange on a highway, or when passing by a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road.
The problem is with using lane changes to make progress around slower cars. In this situation, treat the lane change like an overtake on a single carriageway and remember the slogan: It's never wrong NOT to overtake.
Of course, lane changes can be made quite safe if all of the safety measures are taken.
yeah I know what you mean. But what's with the americans and big cars? Here in europe, it's pretty much the opposite. People love small, compact cars... just the kind to weave in and out of traffic!
Hi myownworld, I have owned vehicles spanning the entire spectrum. I prefer what I call a balanced vehicle. Small, light, adequate power, acceptable handling. No giant pickup/SUV for me.
Road lane are there to help drivers and normally it is not illegal to change lanes providing you are considerate and do it safely. There is no restriction on how many times you can change lanes so providing its done safely than i do not see anything wrong with it.
I learned during close to 12 years as a commercial driver that smooth was more often faster than quick. I witnessed multiple times a driver accelerate, brake, change lanes, repeat. sometimes 15 times in less than 10 blocks. I would be staying in my lane unless it had an unusual backup. I would slow for a red light that was about to change many times passing the lane changer. eventually I would end up stopped at a red light with the lane changer stopped behind the vehicle next to me.
So far, I stick to my lane. I think it's more of a psychological thing for me - no matter which lane I switch to, it seems the lane next to me is always the one moving!
But be carefull about the lane you are sticking to! I have seen many drivers who went into the middle lane and stayed there simply because it did not occur to them that there is another lane to the right to use.
Always use the right-hand lane (left lane, in countries like the UK) as your default lane. Any lane other that one is supposed to be used for passing purposes ONLY and once you finish passing a hazard or slow car - return to the right lane and where possible - keep to the far right of the lane (near the yellow fog line).
By keeping right like this, you have several advantages:
1. You keep traffic only to one side (not two) and only to your driver's side. Obviously you can be far more alert to anything passing on your driver's side (because the mirror is closer and usually also bigger) than across the cabin.
2. You keep the open shoulder (where there is one) to your right, making it possible to use it as an escape route. Suppose you have to brake hard to avoid hitting an obstacle. How could you avoid being shounted from behind, just slip right while braking. Suppose the car to your left would veer into your lane without noticing you? Again, just move right. And what if a car behind you threatens to hit you from behind when you drive (or even after you sto). Again - easily move right!
3. You allow faster drivers to have an open lane for passing and traffic as a whole will move faster and more freely, too.
I should state, however, that sometimes, in towns and cities, the right lane is more dangerous than the next lane to the left because of many pedestrians, parked cars, exits from side streets and parking areas and other problems - and in this case, choose the other lane.
Joined: Aug 02, 2006
Posts: 705
Location: McLean, VA, USA
Posted:
Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:29 pm
Yep, agree
Also, there are other cases when right lane is more dangerous, like on a highway that is divided by dividers and surrounded by bushes or forest.
Astraist wrote:
I should state, however, that sometimes, in towns and cities, the right lane is more dangerous than the next lane to the left because of many pedestrians, parked cars, exits from side streets and parking areas and other problems - and in this case, choose the other lane.
But be carefull about the lane you are sticking to! I have seen many drivers who went into the middle lane and stayed there simply because it did not occur to them that there is another lane to the right to use.
Always use the right-hand lane (left lane, in countries like the UK) as your default lane. Any lane other that one is supposed to be used for passing purposes ONLY and once you finish passing a hazard or slow car - return to the right lane and where possible - keep to the far right of the lane (near the yellow fog line).
By keeping right like this, you have several advantages:
1. You keep traffic only to one side (not two) and only to your driver's side. Obviously you can be far more alert to anything passing on your driver's side (because the mirror is closer and usually also bigger) than across the cabin.
2. You keep the open shoulder (where there is one) to your right, making it possible to use it as an escape route. Suppose you have to brake hard to avoid hitting an obstacle. How could you avoid being shounted from behind, just slip right while braking. Suppose the car to your left would veer into your lane without noticing you? Again, just move right. And what if a car behind you threatens to hit you from behind when you drive (or even after you sto). Again - easily move right!
3. You allow faster drivers to have an open lane for passing and traffic as a whole will move faster and more freely, too.
I should state, however, that sometimes, in towns and cities, the right lane is more dangerous than the next lane to the left because of many pedestrians, parked cars, exits from side streets and parking areas and other problems - and in this case, choose the other lane.
Thanks for explaining. Makes so much sense. I'm afraid, I was getting stuck in the middle lane and refusing to budge! Will keep all this in mind now.
On 6 and 7 lane roads, 3 each way, I prefer the middle lane. In the right lane, I would be braking frequently for the cars that stop to turn and buses at bus stops. The left lane is the passing lane, but sometimes it is backed up at turnarounds. The middle lane is the standard driving lane. On 4 and 5 lane roads, I usually pick right. Sometimes my lane choice is whatever matches the turn I will eventually make later.
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