Mirror - signal - mirror - manouevre - mirror ....

Mr Cholmondeley-Warner · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 507 Location: Swindon, Wilts

Where does it end, and what's the proper sequence?

Cruising gently along the M4 this morning, I hit upon a conundrum. When changing lanes on the m/way I always try and remember MSM, forcing myself to stay still until my signal is on and has had a chance to be seen. However this morning I noticed my shoulder check seems to come out of sequence. I actually do:

Mirror mirror mirror (i.e. constant monitoring) MIRROR, signal, SHOULDER CHECK, manouevre. (CAPS just to illustrate those checks significant in the lane change rather than just (sub)conscious monitoring).

This gave me pause for thought, so I tried it mirror, shoulder check, signal, manoeuvre. That seemed wrong, leading to too much time spent looking backwards and concentrating on signalling before returning my attention to the front, so I returned to the previous, subconsciously more comfortable method.

Anybody else noticed this, or have a favourite method, or theory as to which is better?
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Nick
North Wilts RoADAR

jont · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 750 Location: Bristol

I think you're worrying a bit too much - what are you doing on M'ways - there's plenty of B-roads to chose from...

My procedure would probably be similar to yours. If your scanning process is working well, you'll have seen virtually everything in your mirrors early. To my mind the shoulder check is simply in case you scan failed and you're in immediate danger - which would be when you start the manouevre. Checking earlier than this would mean at the point you start moving, you haven't cleared your blind spot as there was a pause while you checked the mirror (eg so someone moving from L3 into L2 after you checked and who hasn't seen your signal might be missed).

My 2p.

Jon

Mick Annick · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Oxfordshire

I do the same as you as it feels more natural. I questioned it when I did my RoADAR retest last week (Gold, since you ask...) and was told it's perfectly acceptable.

Mick
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7db · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 1691 Location: London

I usually make the shoulder check whilst the signal is going. I'm usually pretty sure there's nothing there, but it's a final check that I'm right. I usually do a quick one every now and again -- particularly if my mirroring has been interrupted by something else that might have grabbed my attention.

nodigitsever · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 62

just do what everyone else seems to do nowadays, that is signal and Manoeuvre at the same time?, it's like, "I signal therefore I am coming in"!

when did the HC change for I seem to have missed it?

MrToad · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 78 Location: Bristol

Nick - I do exactly the same as you. I also tried changing the sequence, but it just seems to work better in that order.

Regular mirror checks mean that I'm confident enough to put the signal on without a shoulder check, but I won't actually cross paint without making sure.
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Gareth · Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 1113 Location: Berkshire

Since I plan to signal for at least 4 seconds before changing lanes on a motorway, (or not at all if there are no vehicles around), I leave the shoulder check as the last step before changing lanes,
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ROG · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 955 Location: LEICESTER

ScoobyChris · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 1033 Location: Andover, Hants

ROG · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 955 Location: LEICESTER

I should have added - and checking that other vehicles are responding before committing - DOH Exclamation

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ROG
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Mr Cholmondeley-Warner · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 507 Location: Swindon, Wilts

Cool! Most people seem to have the same technique.

I sort of think that 90% of signalling on a m/way is superfluous, but I still do it. I often think it's more useful to those in front, than those behind. If the gap is big enough to pull into without disturbing anyone (as it should be if following the HC) then those behind won't need to do anything other than adjust slightly if they were gaining. If it isn't, then you have to wait for a reaction, and the priorities change from just checking if anything's crept into the gap, to checking for the reaction. The signal is likely to remain on for longer in the second case, obviously.

Oh, and Jon; driving to work! Came home via a different route though Wink

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Nick
North Wilts RoADAR

jont · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 750 Location: Bristol

Horse · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 495 Location: Darkest Berkshoire

VinnyP! · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 120

Looks like I an going to get burned but I am not a big fan of signalling as a matter of course when changing lanes. If I would like someone to let me out or in then sure but if I have the room to not inconvenience them at all and I am going to slot in with my speed matched at the appropriate seperation then it's one less thing for them to worry about.
There are times when I am driving in a more "Creative" manner where I hope I have done all the worrying for them but a signal could make them react when there is no need to.
I have heard the idea to signal when moving into centre leanes so that you warn drivers from the opposing lanes that might move into the same gap. I can see the point but if they might be doing that I'll wait for the next gap.
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chriskay · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 379 Location: Shrewsbury

I remember when I was taking some advanced tuition, several years ago, my tutor (ex. police) suggested that it should rarely be necessary to signal on a motorway. I tend to agree.