In addition to the earlier post relating to intersections it was noted that…..when approaching intersections where traffic is entering from the right or crossing your path a slight weave within your lane can help differentiate you from headlights behind, both day and night. In Ontario its "day time running lights", for all vehicles during the day, so it is possible if you’re in the right or left part of the lane to be in direct headlight alignment with the car behind. For a driver who quickly glances he may blend the two lights together even though there could be some distance between you and the car behind….. with you much closer to the turning vehicle.
Summer road surfaces was addressed in an earlier “Musings” post.
When on a 4 or greater lane urban road and you are in the right lane approaching a light controlled intersection, as you sense the duration of the green is coming to an end. This is where looking well ahead can help you determine this. If there is a car intending on crossing your path or turning left in front of you, and there is traffic in the next lane, closest to the turning vehicle. You can position yourself by throttle adjustment to have the car in the left lane slightly ahead of you such that they become a “Blocker” as you cross the intersection. If the light changes to yellow you are protected by the other vehicle as you both enter the intersection. If you find you are ahead of traffic in the left lane then the weave in your lane noted above helps attract attention. If you sense the light is about to change, checking in the rear mirror for other vehicles behind you as approaching the intersection with a vehicle crossing your path and if comfortable try to stop.
If you hear screeching tires behind you options are a few. Check the mirror to gauge vehicle distance and deceleration. A) Watch the turning vehicle to see what they are doing, if they hesitate because they observe the noise and smoke proceed through with caution. B) If they are almost stopped behind you see if there is space to the right or left as a route to increase your distance from the stopping vehicle. Escape routes should be thought of during your approach to all light controlled intersections. C) Relax and hope they stop as tense bodies have usually higher injury rates. Will look into more research on this last point.
When you see lane closures on multi lane roads ahead, you have some options. 1) Go as far as you can before the cones/barriers force you into the lane. This usually attracts negative attention as most drivers are perturbed at these last second “I’m more important than you driver. 2) From the Riders perspective we are better off to merge some distance before and then we have the ability to let other vehicles in front with a wave or helmet nod as appropriate. This again starts the earning of respect from other vehicle drivers. 3) Merge as soon as possible, best solution, avoids attention, but a little too challenging depending on the number of vehicles ahead. Best public relations.
Trucks are to be given great respect and distance as their mass and momentum results in braking distance far exceeding the Riders depending on the truck load/cargo. Do not tailgate trucks as your visibility around the vehicle is zero to see what is happening beyond, making for a very tension filled ride, wondering when you will have to hit the brakes. Usually merging in front of trucks in heavy traffic is easy as they are the slowest to get going in relation to other traffic, but caution has to be exercised as if this is a multi lane road another vehicle from the far lane may contemplate the same idea leading to unexpected meeting in front of a moving truck…risky.
Opinions and comments welcome. Suggestions for other topics? Rain, cold weather, dawn and dusk, night?
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