Thread: Road trains in Vic

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I think the entire suspension group on some (tri?) Or the rear two axles of a quad.

I repeat, I'd love to see it in action. The whole problem with Super Bs is just how bloody wide you have to go to get around. With councils etc putting in more and more bloody roundabouts even an ordinary B is hard. Steerable back trailers would be awesome.

Jumping in here rather than starting an entire thread but???<br><br>I'm all over the flashing high beams to let you know i'm safe distance behind you and to let you in/out of a lane but what's the go when you come up behind me and have more power?&nbsp; Just read an article saying I should put my right side blinker on but surely the left side would show more intent for me to stay in the left so you can come on through?

Originally Posted by spie

Jumping in here rather than starting an entire thread but???<br><br>I'm all over the flashing high beams to let you know i'm safe distance behind you and to let you in/out of a lane but what's the go when you come up behind me and have more power?&nbsp; Just read an article saying I should put my right side blinker on but surely the left side would show more intent for me to stay in the left so you can come on through?

My understanding is that right signalling that it's safe to overtake is highly frowned upon. The use of LHS blinker is possibly better, as long as you take into consideration that trucks will often use that to signal a hazard, such as a cyclist or a roadside object, to a following truck.

Flashing headlights to signal it's clear to come back into the lane is just one of the many courtesies trucks use that are not understood by most motorists. That's not intended as a negative criticism. If a motorist doesn't need to use it then they don't actually need to understand it. However, it would be nice if more people DID understand it. It would make the interaction between trucks and, for example, holiday traffic much more pleasant.

Originally Posted by Tins

My understanding is that right signalling that it's safe to overtake is highly frowned upon. The use of LHS blinker is possibly better, as long as you take into consideration that trucks will often use that to signal a hazard, such as a cyclist or a roadside object, to a following truck.

Flashing headlights to signal it's clear to come back into the lane is just one of the many courtesies trucks use that are not understood by most motorists. That's not intended as a negative criticism. If a motorist doesn't need to use it then they don't actually need to understand it. However, it would be nice if more people DID understand it. It would make the interaction between trucks and, for example, holiday traffic much more pleasant.

With both my girls as they were learning to drive on the Hume Highway as part of their 120 hours of L plate time I showed them how to flash to let trucks know its safe to return to the left hand lane and they were most chuffed to get the right-left flash of blinkers from the truck in acknowledgement. Just one little bit of extra goodwill to professional drivers and an understanding of the reason behind it. It happens quite frequently when you are travelling at 90 on Sesame Street so they get plenty of practice on the loop that we usually take.

Regards,
Tote

Originally Posted by Tote

With both my girls as they were learning to drive on the Hume Highway as part of their 120 hours of L plate time I showed them how to flash to let trucks know its safe to return to the left hand lane and they were most chuffed to get the right-left flash of blinkers from the truck in acknowledgement. Just one little bit of extra goodwill to professional drivers and an understanding of the reason behind it. It happens quite frequently when you are travelling at 90 on Sesame Street so they get plenty of practice on the loop that we usually take.

Regards,
Tote

Well done sir. That sort of thing is also very much appreciated by the truckie, and helps promote cooperation, something sorely need on the roads. I'm glad that the truckies acknowledge the courtesy. Not all will, of course, but they are in the minority.

So yes to the headlight flash to let you know that you are clear behind and can slot in front of me but still not sure about the amber flashers? I signal left to let you know i'm aware and you are balls open to the right or or signal right like i'm going to cut you off???

I honestly want to know, have been doing the flashy hi beam thing since i was on l plates and anything else i can help smooth traffic is golden

Originally Posted by spie

So yes to the headlight flash to let you know that you are clear behind and can slot in front of me but still not sure about the amber flashers? I signal left to let you know i'm aware and you are balls open to the right or or signal right like i'm going to cut you off???

I honestly want to know, have been doing the flashy hi beam thing since i was on l plates and anything else i can help smooth traffic is golden

Like I said, my understanding is that the use of RHS signal is taboo. I have been told that it's illegal but I have no actual evidence of this. The reasoning is that if you do signal, and an accident ensues, you could be held partially liable. Ultimately the onus is on the vehicle doing the overtaking to ensure the safety of doing so. It's really a mater of choice and common sense, I guess. I never signalled the safety of overtaking, but would endeavour to signal if it was UNsafe IMO. I was happy to talk someone past using the CB though. This is for trucks, of course. The performance differential meant I never concerned myself with cars, other than to let them by without obstruction.

The onus is always on the overtaking driver to do so safely.
Good discussion here:
Road Train Etiquette - The Grey Nomads Forum