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An unwritten 'country code' is putting Rob's life at risk on the road, and all he's doing is turning right (www.abc.net.au)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/australia@aussie.zone
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"Indicating to pass" is insane and needs to stop

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[–] 7 points 2 years ago (3 children)

I have done only one drive (or two...there and back) on roads that both had truckies and were single lane. Brissy to St George. West of Dalby I saw truckies indicating right to communicate that it's safe to pass constantly. I had heard about it before and explained it to my co-driver because he was unfamiliar, but this was the first time I experienced it. And my experience was very strongly that yes, it is indeed a real thing.

I have never heard about the left blinker being used in the same way as you describe.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    @Zagorath
    Generally, truckies just talk to each other on UHF40 (or 29) to arrange safe overtaking.

    But a turn signal has always been a warning signal. It points to where one should never be.

    It's not uncommon, though, for a truck that has *already* executed an overtaking manoeuvre to 'thank' the vehicle now behind them with an R-L-R-L combo of single flashes, *after* they're back on the correct side of the road.

    Some truckies add a 'flourish' of one or two 'hazard light' flashes to the end of the sequence.

    But, in all my years on the roads, I've only heard of recently deceased idiots who've tried overtaking a truck that has had its right-hand indicator on.

    Things may have changed in the last decade, but FIIK why!

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago

    I've seen plenty of trucks do the single right hand indicator blink, usually b-doubles and larger.

    I interpret that as a few things:

    • Old mate has noticed me behind them and has judged the road ahead to be suitably clear, so I can nose out and have a look and go for it if I think it's ok, and
    • That they in turn have a good bit of road ahead of them so they can attempt to nudge all the trailers to the left for me as I come past.
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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago*

    I was driving from Brisbane → Tasmania last week and a helpful Truckee definitely used the right indicator to tell me it was safe to pass. Thanks, mate!

    Of course you treat it as a suggestion, nose out and judge for yourself before trying to overtake.

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