NSW road rules mention that during a lane change or when a marked lane ends (not when the marked lanes are reduced), the vehicle that changes lane should give way to vehicles that are already on that lane. https://www.nsw.gov.au/topics/roads-safety-and-rules/overtak…
But why do some drivers assume that we should give way as soon as they turn on the signal light? is it the etiquette (when someone wants to merge in front of you slow down and make some space for them)? or those drivers who cut you off are unreasonable? I feel like sometimes when someone quickly jumps in front of me and breaks, I may not have enough time/ distance to stop my car. In such cases who will be at fault if I hit the car(who quickly changed lanes) in front of me for not having enough time/ distance to react.
Give Way during Lane Change
Comments
But why do some drivers…
Because (fropanity) heads… /thread
When you are approaching a merging area be prepared to leave a gap for cars in the merging lane.
It is a very common thing for drivers these days not to use their indicator. God knows why, it is just what they do.
If you collide with a car in front of you, unless there is exceptional circumstances, you are in the wrong.
Leave room, let them change lanes, it is cheaper in the long run.
No.
during a lane change or when a marked lane ends
When a vehicle is changing lanes or is in a lane that ends as shown by dashed lines, they must always give way to the vehicle in the continuing lane.
The vehicle in front is not relevant in this situation. The person who must give way will be in the wrong even if their vehicle is in front.
As a courtesy - and probably as good practice - the vehicles could create space and allow a zipper merge, but they do not have to.
Changing lanes and merging are two different rules .
The road rules for merging are quite straightforward – when two lines of traffic become one and there are no marked lines, a driver must give way to any vehicle that is ahead of their own.
If a vehicle wants to move from one marked lane of traffic into another, they must give way to the lane of traffic they are moving into.
That's nice - but the OP didn't ask about merging. The actual example given in the question is quoted in my post AND IT IS NOT THE EXAMPLE YOU USE!
The OP asked about changing lanes or when a lane ends and you need to move over. Discussion of zipper merging when two lanes become one and one isn't marked as ending are irrelevant.@Almost Banned: Shows how little you know . When a lane ends and you have to merge into another lane is MERGING , the car in the front has right of way.
When you change lanes then the car that is in the lane already has right of way.
@isthatallyougot: Yeah - you are still wrong and shouldn't be allowed on the road. Same goes for anyone who upvotes you.
When a lane ends because the dotted lines show the lane ending, then you need to give way to the vehicles in the lane that is continuing - regardless of whether you are in front.
If the lanes merge where the dotted lines end and there is an unmarked merging space and both lanes continues - albeit now in one lane, then you give way to the vehicle in front.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/topics/roads-safety-and-rules/overtak…
The road rules on this point are consistent across the country.
The OP did not ever refer to merging - only to where one lane ends, or where you change lanes. In neither of those situations is it relevant which car is in front.@isthatallyougot: Kinda. Right of way is not in the traffic laws at all.
If a lane ends and there are no lane markings, then the car behind gives way. If you need to cross a lane line, you give way.
When you are approaching a merging area be prepared to leave a gap for cars in the merging lane.
It is a very common thing for drivers these days not to use their indicator. God knows why, it is just what they do.I'd guess because it's obvious that they are going to keep driving on the road.
From the previous related threads, it's evident that there are some people who thought signalling means everyone else has to give way to them 🤷♀️🤦♂️
signalling means everyone else has to give way to them
So true!
Karen: I signalled! That means I told them what I’m going to do! It’s being pragmatic!
If I'm understanding right, I think there's 2 main reasons.
- someone thinks they only have to give way to the person infront of them in the next lane, so they can squeeze in between the person still behind.
- Some people are agressive drivers and will try to force their car in the way to get somewhere faster. I was with someone that did this and damn it freaked me out.
Driver crossing the lane line needs to give way. Courtesy says the driver behind allows them space to merge in, but it doesn’t always happen.
IFI see you indicate to merge I’ll let you in. A little courtesy costs me nothing If I don’t see an indicator because it was too late or I’m watching the other lane to do my own change etc, you need to deal with that by giving way.
If I see you race up from behind where there is a large space and try to squeeze in front of me where there is no space you’ll be paying for my panel damage because I will not let you in and I’ve got a crappy old ute in need of a respray.
I’ve worked and therefore drove all over the world, and Australia has some of the worst drivers I’ve ever witnessed.
Of course, there are bad drivers everywhere, but the majority seem to know full well they’re doing wrong, whereas most here have no absolutely no idea and assume everyone else is in the wrong.
Ignorance isn’t always bliss…..so, as the guy above said, get a dash cam.
So if you havent worked, you therefore havent driven all over the world, and hence dont have a right to comment?
BTW where are some of the others you have seen given only some are in Australia.
But why do some drivers assume that we should give way as soon as they turn on the signal light?
Do you really want be answer on this? I'm sure the OzB filters will can it immediately.
I've always taken the view that the onus is on the merging car to find a spot to merge, not for others to make one.
I'm far more sympathetic when someone puts the indicator on well in advance and is "looking" for a gap, rather than the usual dart up the inside and do the indicator on and merge in one manoeuver .
I'm not a fan of the lane experts. That's when I'll be strategic and make gaps agonisingly small so they can't merge in front of me.
This 100% though I'm less likely to help if they're in a luxury car that's snuck into a left lane that's ending.
I "love" the 0.5 seconds worth of indicating most drivers do these days too.
Might get negged for this but I sometimes don't let people in when there is an unsafe gap ahead at the current speed. Merging car's responsibility to merge safely.
No, you got voted up by me!
I was thinking about whether it was 0.5 seconds or 0.5 of a flash of the blinker. Either will do.
I'm not a fan of the lane experts. That's when I'll be strategic and make gaps agonisingly small so they can't merge in front of me.
People think that just because they have their indicator on, they are in the right to move to where they're wanting to get to, when in fact it doesn't mean squat.
They still have to give way and change/merge lanes when it is safe to do so via giving way to the vehicle already in the lane.
Lots of "should" and "must" in these comments, which are all valid.
Unfortunately some people won't or don't, so others need to be aware and allow for the d*&(heads to do whatever they are going to do. Defensive driving.That is why you have dash-cams, so you can show in court the useless idiot pulled infront of you, and you had no time to stop & it wasn't your fault
As a driver, i let in people when i know they need to lane change.
Slow your speed or increase it. Don't drive side by side to a car, when you know.
Yes, you are right.
Drivers indicating and no mirror or shoulder check and just change lanes, needs to forfeit their license.
However, there are enough bad drivers on the road, better be safe, even if you are not in the wrong.
Have a dashcam and share footage for public
shamingentertainment too :)