Parking advice ...

[JaneC]

Hi,

Been meaning to ask this for a while. I live on a fairly busy main road and the only way to get my car on to my drive when I go home is to reverse on. I usually pull up outside the next house indicating left and wait until the road behind is clear before engaging reverse and moving. However this does sometimes cause a queue of traffic behind me, and in 2 years I think only about 4 people have sussed what I want to do and flashed their lights to indicate that they will wait for me. So, is there a better technique I could use that would indicate to other road users more clearly my intent ? Should I engage reverse as soon as I stop so that it's clear ? Wait until there's a smaller gap and then start going ? (at the moment I generally wait until I can get on the drive without making anyone else stop). Put hazards on as soon as I approach, swoop out to the other side of the road and then reverse on - thereby causing everyone to stop :D Any other suggestions ????

[7db]

Stop before the driveway. Indicate in. Get the car behind to stop. Then slowly pull forward and reverse in. Once he is stopped, he is less likely to pull forward if he gets a grip on what is going on. If you give a flash of your reversing lights before you pull forward, then he is more likely to clock the idea.

I reckon this will help in about 50% of cases. In the other cases, you are no worse off -- you are sitting past the entrace to the drive stationary, and indicating in.

Drivng with your hazards on is illegal*, so I can't see that being the textbook answer.

HTH.


*in almost all circumstances.

[noyourrights]

i have to agree with 7db if you can pull up before your drive this way you can use your right hand indicator to pull out into the flow of traffic once you are side ways across the road other roadusers will see what you are doing

even better than an indicator is a hand signal because people dont generaly use them it tends to draw more attention

if you can not stop before your driveway then slow rite down on approach to a wallking pace move to the left at your driveway do not indicate left but use your right hand to signal you want to move accross the road the art to this move is slowing the traffic

failing that carry a big sign in your boot stop and put it up

i'm reversing
into
my drive
you blind
????

[Hoon Devil]

I could use a sign like that for when I want to get onto my drive... it always surprises me how people that see me reversing onto my drive every evening still give me 'those' looks IYSWIM.

[JaneC]

Thanks 7db and noyourrights,

If I'm feeling brave I might give that a go.

I can't really pull out on to the other side of the road to get any sort af angle as I live just past a bend, far enough away so that if it's clear then there's enough time to complete the reverse before normal traffic is incovenienced, near enough that any emergency vehicle is liable to be confronted with a car half way across the road !

I like the idea of the sign in the rear window though :D

[7db]

Love the idea of a hand signal (no no not one of *those* hand signals - one from the book).

Raally does make people take notice.

[BillZZR]

Love the idea of a hand signal (no no not one of *those* hand signals - one from the book).

Raally does make people take notice.

I have almost given up on hand signals, (even as a reinforcing signal ) on the Bike as I have found that most people havn't got a clue what they mean. Maybe folks think Im waving wildly as part of a mobile phone conversation, or am conducting the music on my i-pod.:rolleyes:

My often used untill recently, and very useful , right hand signal "I am Slowing Down (but not necessarily braking to a complete halt).....[For those reading who do not ride, a bike has both the throtle and the front brake on the right handlebar] has been interpreted too many times by following numpties as "I am Turning right, (but my fingers hurt and wrist is sore and it is too hot and I would really like to fly anway:eek: )" and results in folk behind trying to undertake me at around 40MPH with the neerside wheels on the pavement, and the offside on the road whilst I am only 3ft from the Kerb. :( and folks aproaching either hitting the horn in panic, or occasionly flashing their headlamps to nicely say "On you Go Mate"

If it doesn't light up and or flash on and off, I dont understand it so it doesn't exist, school of motoring me thinks.

[7db]

Yeah - I never use them either but that's because my windows don't open...

[18wheeler]

i find myself using hand signals alot these days:D

[noyourrights]

i ride a bike and drive a truck but not at the same time most people can cope with the turning left or right hand signal or when im on my bike pointing to my exit from a roundabout sometimes works especially large multi laned ones:D

18 wheeler i hope they are not of the two fingered variety:eek:

[BillZZR]

Yeah - I never use them either but that's because my windows don't open...


Just take the doors off :p 7db

And noyourrights, yep thats about the only one I do still routinely use, that or move out to offside if safe and then use the "point straight at someone" you think may not have seen you and may just be about to pull out. They usually stop dead and stare.....Job Done... and ride on.:banana:

The only other signal is not strictly highway code, but worth the efort is ....(to misquote 7db from another thread), a friendly wave "thanks" and ride on"

[18wheeler]

i ride a bike and drive a truck but not at the same time most people can cope with the turning left or right hand signal or when im on my bike pointing to my exit from a roundabout sometimes works especially large multi laned ones:D

18 wheeler i hope they are not of the two fingered variety:eek:

i often find the reverse winston;) ,or the maxwell house;) , work exceptionally well:D

[7db]

We had an interesting exchange of hand-signals that I'm still thinking about today. Wasn't sure if to confess here or not.




Sloane Square - basically a gyratory system. We are working our way round probably about 10mph, when just as we pass an exit, a moped cuts across our nose from the right, and squeezes through the tiny gap between us and kerb to go down King's road. My driver is awake, got on brakes, doesn't kill the guy.

I'm shocked that nearly saw someone commit suicide under my feet and indicate to the rider a pair of lofted fingers and in a quiet and restrained voice mention his self-abuse habits to all of Chelsea. This is exactly the same time as he waves an acknowledgement of sorriness.

I felt a bit guilty.

We drive on. 30s later he has turned around and caught up, and is riding along side my window, upset at my gesture yelling "I said sorry". We had half a conversation up Sloane Avenue, which I'm afraid was not as succinct as I would normally like and he rode off. I told him I got overexcited when he tried to kill himself on my bumper.

But that he was still a w*nker (admittedly out of earshot...)


* * * *

What's the moral? I don't know. Don't cut up my driver. He's not normally so hot on the brakes.

But a friendly wave - even when you do the most heinous of manouvres - can leave the other person feeling charitable.

[18wheeler]

We had an interesting exchange of hand-signals that I'm still thinking about today. Wasn't sure if to confess here or not.




Sloane Square - basically a gyratory system. We are working our way round probably about 10mph, when just as we pass an exit, a moped cuts across our nose from the right, and squeezes through the tiny gap between us and kerb to go down King's road. My driver is awake, got on brakes, doesn't kill the guy.

I'm shocked that nearly saw someone commit suicide under my feet and indicate to the rider a pair of lofted fingers and in a quiet and restrained voice mention his self-abuse habits to all of Chelsea. This is exactly the same time as he waves an acknowledgement of sorriness.

I felt a bit guilty.

We drive on. 30s later he has turned around and caught up, and is riding along side my window, upset at my gesture yelling "I said sorry". We had half a conversation up Sloane Avenue, which I'm afraid was not as succinct as I would normally like and he rode off. I told him I got overexcited when he tried to kill himself on my bumper.

But that he was still a w*nker (admittedly out of earshot...)


* * * *

What's the moral? I don't know. Don't cut up my driver. He's not normally so hot on the brakes.

But a friendly wave - even when you do the most heinous of manouvres - can leave the other person feeling charitable.

ah! sloane square,a fav in the 18 wheeler,i often wondered what the slight bump was as i tried too negociate the gyratory,moped under trailer:eek:

but your right,a friendly,apologetic wave,often disarms a situation if someone carves you up,opr vice/versa.

where as,nearly wiping me out on the m40,and then giving me the w*nker sign,often results in me following you up the exit slip road,too have a less than friendly chat with you at the roundabout:eek: :eek: :eek:

as i strode towards the numbnuts car,he'd already locked doors and windows,and informed me he was phoning the police:eek: ,i said too him,thats handy,as whilst your on a 999 call,ask them too send an ambulance,your gonna need it:rolleyes:
anyway,another guy,who'd witnessed the whole incident,came over and calmed me down,and said,its not worth it,and he was right;)

i've grown up since,but,its amazing how quickly things can get out of hand,when a simple apologetic gesture,can make a big difference:)

[noyourrights]

so much anger 'tut' 'tut':mad:

i have found a growing problem with using the "maxwell house" as i pull along side the blind t##t preparing to signal i realise it is a driver of the female variety:eek:

calling a women a w#*?#r just doesnt have the same effect :confused:

i do find a boot or fist in the wing mirror department very effective but only used in extreme circumstances:twisted: