At least reversing alarms are automatically activated when reverse gear is selected; turning warnings are only any good if the driver actually indicates their intention to turn. There was a tragic accident at a busy crossroads outside where I used to work in Nottingham. A lorry was in the left hand lane with a cyclist on their inside. The lights turned green, the cyclist went straight on and the lorry turned left. Sadly the cyclist was killed. The lorry driver was prosecuted and his defence was that he habitually indicated when he was making a turn but he couldn’t definitely say if he indicated on that occasion. There were no other witnesses so he ended up being found not guilty. I had to cross that road regularly and found very few vehicles indicate when turning.

A perfect example of why the 'advanced motorists' method of only indicating if someone will benefit is plain wrong, none of us are perfect and especially in vehicles with restricted vision, ie trucks vans and modern cars, no matter how clever we think we are all of us will miss someone else at some point.

At least reversing alarms are automatically activated when reverse gear is selected; turning warnings are only any good if the driver actually indicates their intention to turn. There was a tragic accident at a busy crossroads outside where I used to work in Nottingham. A lorry was in the left hand lane with a cyclist on their inside. The lights turned green, the cyclist went straight on and the lorry turned left. Sadly the cyclist was killed. The lorry driver was prosecuted and his defence was that he habitually indicated when he was making a turn but he couldn’t definitely say if he indicated on that occasion. There were no other witnesses so he ended up being found not guilty. I had to cross that road regularly and found very few vehicles indicate when turning.

It wouldn't be difficult to make such a signal automatic by linking it to the steering, although only at lower speeds.

Some cars already selective illumination of one fog light when turning, although intended for a different reason.

... his defence was that he habitually indicated when he was making a turn but he couldn’t definitely say if he indicated on that occasion. ... I had to cross that road regularly and found very few vehicles indicate when turning.

If I am stopped in a lane marked for left-turn only, I will usually be indicating but will often stop the indication after 10 or 15 seconds to avoid irritating those behind (and myself) as the message should have been received. (tho I suppose stopping it could be construed as changing my mind). If a cyclist chooses to go forward from a left-turn lane, that is simply asking for trouble (or worse).

When I learned to drive, I was taught to always check my nearside mirror before a left turn to ensure no cyclists had snuck up there. I do wonder where along the line cyclists were given the impression that it's OK to overtake on the left. I am one and I do it, but I couldn't possibly tell you why.

I don't think there's ever been a formal rule preventing cyclists going down the nearside of traffic. Sort of faster moving lane scenario in some ways.

However if you're properly overtaking stationary or slow moving vehicles you're better off on the offside.

The road near the kerb harbours many dangers:

• Storm drains that can swallow enough of a wheel to 'off' you
• Thermoplastic paint, eg yellow lines, is slippy when wet
• Debris, including broken glass.
• Passengers bailing out without checking
• Being left hooked
• Too near in and both pedestrians crossing the road and drivers emerging from side streets don't see you.
• Carriageway edges can crumble and 'off' you

Not a comprehensive list but sufficient food for thought right now.

Edited by Bromptonaut on 17/08/2025 at 13:00

Its interesting the pedestrian monitoring cameras, when stationary and a moving pedestrian/cyclist comes into view which could be as far as the back end of the trailer the camera will beep and depending how close will give a spoken warning to the driver of pedestrian if in front of the vehicle, the camera will highlight said person and ''follow'' them 'Person of Interest' style until they are fully clear, so things are definately improving camera wise.

What people don't realise is as well as general all round vision through the windows for all sorts of hazards, the truck driver also has 6 mirrors and the camera screen to check constantly whilst negotiating normal road hazards...oh and chuck a few barely licenced moped food delivery clowns into the mix, used to be a time i loved London driving but no longer.

Interesting point about whether to leave the left/right turn indicator on whilst waiting for the lights...which can be anything up to 5 minutes at the hundreds of 4 ways road works traffic light infesting the country, with this vehicle is turning left/right blaring constantly the whole time which is plenty loud enough in built up streets and for the driver the immense pleasure of the camera system contantly squawking about things its seen.

Maybe thats an insight as to just a few of the reasons why general truck driving has seen the generous pay increases of the last few years trying to retain people as many of the old school bail out due to all this stuff and the pita DCPC card periodic training, with the pile it high sell it cheap end of industy bleating to govt about a driver shortage that never truly was in the hope of getting the govt of the day to use taxpayers to fund training for new truck drivers they can employ at cut pay rates, pile it higher sell it even cheaper.

Edited by gordonbennet on 17/08/2025 at 13:59

Never go alongside the left of a truck unless (a) you're sure it won't move and (b) you've an escape route onto the footway if you've got (a) wrong.

I remember an uncomfortable moment when I was a student riding on a main street in Cardiff with a stone wall on the left. A lorry passed me and pulled in rather early, close enough to leave barely enough width for my handlebars. Luckily they were of the straight-across kind (all-rounder I think they were called).