Am I in The Wrong Here? (Changing Lanes)

iNeed2Pee on 30/07/2021 - 16:06
Last edited 01/08/2021 - 14:02 by 1 other user

What is the etiquette here?

I have been taking a new route to work due to living in a new suburb. I usually stick to the left lane of a two lane same directional road. (60km/hr)

I have been realising that cars are parked on the left so I have tried to get back into the right lane. (Then will return to my left lane after I have passed the parked car if it is clear)

My indicator has been given (Decent signal I thought), I have signalled and tried to get into the right lane only for that person to all of a sudden speed up and close the gap on me, making me jump back into the left lane.

I beeped, because well I thought it was shit form, and they pulled up beside me at the next traffic light and gave me a mouthful about how I was in the wrong and screaming at me using profanity saying they did not have to let me in….
Mind you this person also had their business stickers plastered all over the car.

Am I the asshole for wanting to change lanes and expecting them to let me in?

Do you allow cars in or do you also speed up to close that gap on them?

Edit 1: Agree that I was in the wrong, I just took offensive to the fact that they decided to speed up not to let me in. Thanks for your comments and replies. Next time I will just stay in the right lane on a road that is below 80km/hr. Cheers

Automotive

Comments

    • Antikythera on 01/08/2021 - 01:03

      I had a lane that was handed down from my grandfather to my father and then to me. I was very disappointed when the laws changed and I was not able to hand it down to my son. At least I'll be able to hand down the fishing spot given to me by my great uncle on my mothers side. We've kept it a secret spot all these years by covering over the X mark on the side of our boat so no one can see it each time we put the boat on the trailer.

      • saltypete on 02/08/2021 - 09:39

        Ah, you’re a SA fisher as well! Are you the one that anchored next to me and abused me for being on your spot the other day? I was looking for the X…..

    • Ughhh on 01/08/2021 - 09:11

      We now have a road rule that if your car is forward of another and you indicate they must let you in.

      Depends on what type of merge. one is true, the other false, even in SA.

      • saltypete on 02/08/2021 - 09:42

        You are right, and the OPs was one where he had to give way as it was a lane change rather than a merge.

    • OzzyOzbourne on 02/08/2021 - 22:20

      Not if the lanes are marked

      https://mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/the-drivers-handbook/…

  • 2023 on 31/07/2021 - 11:35

    Good on you for trying to keep in the left, but unfortunately you are in the wrong as it comes down to you trying to change lanes and needing to wait until it's clear (even if they sped up to not let you in).
    Bit of a dick move on their part. Just be inconsiderate to others and drive in the right lane from now on. 😉

  • Garrettau on 31/07/2021 - 16:48
    +1

    If there’s an incident, you’re at fault. When changing lane, only do so with ENOUGH space, if not just slow down.
    The car in the right lane is not nice, but nothing wrong as per traffic rules..

  • Lockieasy on 31/07/2021 - 17:02
    +2

    It sounds like you were too slow on the merge and became aggressive with your horn for no reason, when all you had to do was brake a bit and merge behind the car in the other lane.

    • iNeed2Pee on 31/07/2021 - 17:37
      +4

      I believe he was agressive by speeding up and being a jerk by not just letting me in. But hey, that's the way this country rolls.

    • htc on 31/07/2021 - 17:38
      +1

      Totally agree, if more drivers think that way, more accidents will be avoided.

  • htc on 31/07/2021 - 17:36

    It's hit and miss, some drivers are nice, so if you give an indicator to change lane, they will let you in. Although in many instances, driver don't let you. In many cases I can understand, if you are about to make a right or left turn in that lane, you will slow the driver who let you in and the driver had to break and waste fuel. Again I wouldn't beep someone if they don't let me in as the other driver have no obligation.

  • htc on 31/07/2021 - 17:40

    Also if it is a new road I am driving, I will drive even more cautiously. After a few drives, when I get used to the road, I will know exactly when to change lane. These are driving experiences that will hopefully make you a better and safer driver in the long wrong.

  • Mattylicious on 31/07/2021 - 20:38

    Just providing a different view since there's no dashcam footage. There could be a possibility that when you saw the cars parked in the left lane, you may have been braking to slow down and not hit the cars while also trying to merge. As a result of this, it may have looked like the car next to you was speeding up to cover the gap.
    Again there's no footage so we can't really tell what happened besides hearing from your side of the story.

    • iNeed2Pee on 31/07/2021 - 22:44

      I could see the cars ahead and I was not slowing down when signalling, I looked in the mirror and saw them obviously speed up, at the lights it only confirmed that, because he said he didn't have to let me in lol.

      • Mattylicious on 01/08/2021 - 01:02

        Ah no worries, just a little confusing because you said before that you couldn't see the cars ahead.

        "I did not see the cars in the left lane, it was a downhill slope and I was unaware. When I saw it, I put the indicator on."

        • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 20:18

          My bad, at the beginning I didn't but as I was approaching the downhill part i could gradually see.

          All g, I just will stay in the right from now on lol

  • lonewolf on 31/07/2021 - 21:29

    I guess the question is also is this in an area where a lot of drivers go down the left lane to jump the queue and then move back into the right lane at the last minute. This can be very frustrating for all the people who have already moved to or are in the right lane waiting their turn. If thats what the other driver thought then perhaps thats why they got pissed off. I see this happen to often where there are people lined up on one lane and the other lane is turning left or has parked cars, and then you see some people speed down the left lane hoping to jump ahead of the queue by merging back in at the end.

  • baskinghobo on 31/07/2021 - 21:44
    -1

    I feel like when merging you sometimes have to be aggressive even if the vehicle behind you in the other lane has the right because if you let them pass, you yourself would need to slow down considerably as the lane is ending making it more dangerous for everyone involved as the cars behind it would have to slow down a lot as well to let you in and I wouldn't be surprised if they don't even let you in at all because they would rather not slow down and "it's muh right" even if it means forcing you come to a complete stop.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2021 - 23:35

    Where's the MS Paint drawing?

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2021 - 23:43
    -2

    If you indicate to change lanes on Melbourne roads, probably 50% of the drivers will immediately try and close the gap so you can't merge. I never push my way into a lane, I wait for a big enough gap, and speed up into it (never slow down in my lane to change lanes, that's bad driving). If some ahole decides they don't want me in their lane, and then choses to speed up and close the gap, I will merge more aggressively into the lane, and let them run right up my ass. They know they are in the wrong, and they can toot and gesticulate all they want.

  • Antikythera on 01/08/2021 - 01:14

    downhill slope you have better visibility of the road ahead to see the parked cars, not worse.
    only way you would have lower visibility is as you crested the hill before the downhill slope.

    so you were travelling the left lane because no one else was in it and you wanted to "suicide" pass the cars in the other lane, cresting a hill without allowing for the possibility of parked cars ahead and then tried to merge quickly when you saw what was there.

    don't get me wrong. I use the suicide lane all the time. But I always align myself a gap in the other lane where practical, slow when cresting a hill, watch way ahead for cars in my current lane indicating their merges (assuming they have seen a parked car) and merge with purpose when required. if you're not going to drive in an assertive / proactive manner then just stick in the middle lane.

  • pinchies on 01/08/2021 - 01:17
    +1

    This is effectively "overtaking on the left" from the perspective of the right lane driver. There's a road near me like this — two lanes, but one lane often has parked cars. Cars will whizz up in the left lane to try to overtake traffic as it banks up, and then try to merge back in when they reach a parked car. This can seem obnoxious from the perspective of the right lane drivers, but the reality is people may not be locals and may not realise that the left lane often has parked cars up ahead. Still, I would view trying to overtake on the left generally as poor form.

    • 2024 on 01/08/2021 - 05:24
      -1

      It’s not overtaking. Overtaking is going into the oncoming lane lol

      If there’s a lane there - use it. We don’t all line up in lane 1 at maccas and leave lane 2 empty because it merges in a few meters at the window, do we? I hope not…

    • [Deactivated] on 01/08/2021 - 10:37

      So if someone ahead of you is turning right, you always just stop and wait behind them right?

      • pinchies on 01/08/2021 - 14:27
        +1

        No, but if there’s cars already in the left lane I would not try to interrupt the traffic flow before indicating and moving left.

  • 2024 on 01/08/2021 - 05:22
    +2

    We are all sharing the road. Speeding up to close a gap when a poor guy is trying to avoid hitting a parked car doesn’t really sound like sharing nicely, does it…

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 11:08
      -4

      No it doesn't. And the fact that some people are trying to justify that on this forum only speaks volumes of "some" of the users here.

      But hey, I should have known better when posting a forum post here 🤣

      • 2024 on 01/08/2021 - 20:55

        I can’t wait until robots take drivers off the road.

        Anyone reckon an AI will increase speed to not let another vehicle in? Or will it maintain pace and allow a smooth flow of traffic?

  • Yiddos on 01/08/2021 - 08:58
    +2

    Breathe…. and let it go.

    • SF3 on 01/08/2021 - 20:46
      +3

      Can’t hold back beeping at the time… :)

      I don’t (or do? @iNeed2Pee) care what they gonna say.

      Let the comments rage on.

      The comments never bothered me anyway.

      • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 21:29
        -1

        As the conversation went at the time. Will only disclose for you 🤣. Happened at the next traffic lights.

        Other Driver: " GO (profanity) YOURSELF!!! YOU STUPID MORON. I DIDN'T HAVE TO GIVE YOU WAY, THAT WAS MY LANE, THAT'S WHY I SPED UP! NOT TO LET YOU IN.

        Ineed2Pee: "Are you for real?, I indicated and had a good gap which you closed out on, why would you do that…?

        Other Driver: BECAUSE THAT WAS MY LANE YOU (profanity)!" (Reminded me of that scene in the movie "Ghost". When the guy was like "THIS IS MY TRAIN" 😂

        Ineed2Pee: "wow and your in a company car"- (Construction company)

        Other Driver: Gives me the finger and takes off at the lights. (Which ironically down the road, cuts off a car to go left hahahaha)

        • SF3 on 01/08/2021 - 21:54
          +1

          Applying a scientific method, ^this^ has falsified many of the comments.

          But this is OzB life goes on (for most). ;)

          • iNeed2Pee on 02/08/2021 - 12:20
            +1

            @SF3: And someone negs my transcript.
            Haha might be the drivers relatives on OzBargain.

        • saltypete on 02/08/2021 - 09:47

          So you are in SA!

  • THICKnSLOW on 01/08/2021 - 09:56
    -3

    Chances are OP is the 'oblivious road user' who pisses other road users off, by driving in selfish and reckless way and claiming to know the road rules and behaves 'fairly' to other road users thereby demanding the same back.

    • Not looking further enough on the road they're traveling for obstacles, parked cars, lane closures, jumping the queue and forcing their way merging lanes because 'that's the rule you got to give way to me'.

    • Drives slower than most so that the correct turn or exit can be caught at the very last minute, so as to avoid doing a u turn at the next exit and backtracking. May even stop to a crawl and indicate to change 3 lanes and cause traffic jam just not to 'miss the turn', because it may cause too much hassle to themselves (how they justify it, I don't understand).

    • Looks at phone more than the road, whether it's sms messages, social media or maps, so drives slower, and in the right lane because other road users can't see all that inattention from the left lanes.

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 11:06

      Ok bro.

      • THICKnSLOW on 01/08/2021 - 12:54
        -1

        If your response is admission of guilt, then hopefully you acknowledge your mistakes, learn from it and stop repeating those careless and selfish driving behaviours.

        Along with the other negger who is an oblivious twit.

  • OzHunterNSW on 01/08/2021 - 09:59
    -2

    Oh so innocent…. you neglect to FULLY describe your actions.

    In these circumstances, you can't simply turn on an indicator and mindlessly wander over…

    You adjusted your suburb… why not your driving… look ahed… you can see an obstruction approaching, so ensure you have space to change lanes. Not just in front of someone. Speed up… get ahead… indicate… show intention… show initiative and change lane.

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 11:04
      +1

      Did you bother to read my subsequent comments or did you just feel the need to be a smart ass?

      I couldn't see the cars ahead as it was dipping on a downhill slop. I then put my indicator on and had a good enough gap, checked again because I didn't want to just put the indicator on move right over, guy then sped up to close that gap.

      So yeah, it was not oh so innocent champ.
      You sound like one of those who feels the roads are theres.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/08/2021 - 10:32
    +1

    This is exactly why the “keep left” nazis are simply idiots: in this situation i would keep to the right lane as it’s worse for traffic flow to keep switching. Likewise if i am on a two lane road where they are a lot of people tending to turn right with no stopping allowed on the left, i will keep left. Also if i know i need to turn right up ahead i will stay in the right lane.

    Contrary to what self professed expert drivers might say, there is no legal obligation to stay in the left lane on roads under 80km/hr and on these lower speed streets it’s actually the compulsive weavers who both obstruct flow and lead to accidents. And don’t let any moron on the road or the internet try to bully you into thinking otherwise (moments prior to their moment on dashcams australia footage with their spectacular accidents)

  • suchan on 01/08/2021 - 11:03
    +1

    I had this exact situation happened to me many years ago driving in Sydney. Was driving on the left passing through an area and I noticed that cars are parked on the left. So I checked my rearview mirror, determined there's enough distance between my car and the car behind me, turned on the indicator to change lane to the right. Lo and behold, the car behind me immediately sped up to close the gap and I was already halfway into the change, and he hit me in the back of my car.

    We both then stopped and I was pretty pissed and I told him he was in the fault and he insisted it was mine and was ready to call the police. I didn't have the time to wait for the police as I was taking a family to the airport so we just exchanged details there and decided to let insurance company to decide who's at fault.

    Long story short, my insurance determined i was at fault because he had the right of way (regardless of whether it was shitty for him to speed up). So I lost money twice (once to fix my car that was hit and to pay my insurance the excess for fixing his).

    I still believe I'm in the right as suggested by some commenters here but in any future situations I've decided to let idiots go through and take my time rather than letting someone else (insurance/police with their own interpretations) decide on my fate

    • chriskq on 01/08/2021 - 23:53

      did you have a dashcam?

  • dji1111111 on 01/08/2021 - 11:06
    +1

    Hard to tell from your side of story. You may have felt like he sped up, but did he really? Could you have just easily slowed down a little bit and move in behind him instead?
    I find way too often people who has no right of way when changing lane just chuck on the indicator and expect everyone else to make way. I've seen it happen even when there is no car for miles behind me and they insist on changing lane right in front of me and force to me get on the brake when they should be the one to get on the brake and look for a safe spot to change lane into.

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 11:06
      -2

      Oh he sped up. He even said it at the lights.

      Thats what infuriated me more.

  • Mysterious Laptop on 01/08/2021 - 12:00
    +1

    Why don't you just stay in the right hand lane knowing that there are cars on the left parked up?

    If you zoom up on the left, it's viewed poor etiquette because you'll have to end up merging in front of someone when there's a parked car 200m down the road. Often at times you're skipping 1 car and get caught at the lights anyway, congrats you've saved yourself 0 time and look like an idiot at the lights.

    • lonewolf on 02/08/2021 - 14:11

      This is the issue i reckon, it depends how often there are parked cars and how much further down the road. The other driver could have felt this driver is just trying to jump the queue by going left and then merging back in.

  • belongsinforums on 01/08/2021 - 12:03
    +2

    why not just stay in the right lane?

  • trapper on 01/08/2021 - 12:12
    +1

    Beeping at the other driver when you are in the wrong is always going to be irritating.

    Save the horn for when someone is trying to cut into your lane ;)

    • Hangryuman on 01/08/2021 - 13:03

      when I hear a car horn held down in the CBD - the horny driver usually wants everybody to notice the a-hole

      so everyone does - turn and look at the a-hole - holding down the horn button …

  • TheBird on 01/08/2021 - 12:16
    +1

    Etiquette tends to lean towards being patient and to let you in…. there is a however….

    It does depend on the circumstance. You see people impatient people zipping in between cars, changing lanes to try to get a few car lengths further. In heavy, congested slow moving traffic, I once had someone who indicated they wanted to merge into my lane. All good, I slowed down a little and let them in. Seconds later, they see the other lane is moving faster so they force their way back into the other lane. I think, whatever, you be you. They get about 2 car lengths ahead. Less than 30 seconds later, the lane I was in was moving faster once again, so they indicate to come back. This time, neither myself or anyone else let them in. As I pass, the look on their face was priceless. Furiously swearing, hand movements and so on. While it's rare that I won't let a indicating vehicle in, when I do, the karma gods smile.

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 13:33
      -1

      But he decided to act like moron in a car that was plastered with his business all over it.

      Made no sense to me.

      • TheBird on 03/08/2021 - 15:08

        Regardless, it makes sense…. you're in the wrong and he's a dick. Two wrongs don't make a right.

  • Davo1111 on 01/08/2021 - 12:16
    +3

    Indicators are exactly that, an indication you want to change lanes. Not a right.

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 13:32

      So why did he have to act like a dick by speeding up?

      The ironic thing is, further up the road he cut off a car because he needed to turn left and he was in the right lane. That's what was even more funny.

      • Eeples on 01/08/2021 - 13:37

        He cut off a car further up?…….So he is ‘winning’ in his mind even more.

      • Davo1111 on 01/08/2021 - 13:48
        +1

        You understand he doesn't 'have' to let you in right?

        You have the responsibility of changing lanes safely. Not him

        • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 14:14

          I know he didn't have to let me in, but did he have to speed up to make that obvious? Plenty of room for both of us.
          Are you telling me that I should now do the same by speeding up if I see cars wanting to get into my lane if there is space for them?

          • Davo1111 on 01/08/2021 - 15:26

            @iNeed2Pee: He chose to be an ass, but if you crash, you are in the wrong.

            You Speeding up to get infront sounds like a bad idea

  • j0hnd0e on 01/08/2021 - 12:19
    +6

    He's a dick. You're in the wrong. In an insurance claim, you will be deemed responsible.

  • Hangryuman on 01/08/2021 - 13:01
    +2

    don't know OP's location - I have driven in Qld, Vic, ACT, NSW - and found different cultures

    Brisbane - both cars would try to go first, almost collide, stop, both would wind down their windows, wave fists and shout abuse at each other - ah, that was the local custom for greeting strangers

    Melbourne - cars would stop if I as a pedestrian stepped onto the roadway - a big shock after Brisbane where they'd try to run you over !

    Sydney - nobody cares unless you cause someone 0.5 second delay - whereupon they'll beep their horn and want to kill you

    for merging I don't expect anyone to let me in - best to adjust your speed in advance so you can just nicely zipper merge into an existing gap - and if a-hole speeds up to prevent me fitting in, that just creates more space behind them for me to fit in

    so be aware of that - and you can fit either way

    but don't be the patsy who indicates and then dawdles while other drivers are waiting for your body language to show your intention - that just irritates.

    Confucious say 'he who has patience, can wait forever …'

  • Blitz001 on 01/08/2021 - 13:14
    +1

    So he broke the speed limit to block you?

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 13:30
      -1

      100% he did. It was a 60 and he got to at least 70. Then decided to brake check me when I finally got behind him, so I beeped him.

      He got so close to the guy infront of him to avoid me.

      • Eeples on 01/08/2021 - 13:39

        The brake checking should have been in your OP.

        Did you beep him once or twice ? Or more?

        This is road rage.

        • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 13:44

          It should have been, but I was not sure if he was brake checking me because he got so close to the guy in front go him….and I just squeezed in behind him because of the nice lady letting me in.

          if that makes sense? Then when we got closer to the lights he did a little brake check again, so I went back into the left lane, where he started hurling abuse.

  • baskinghobo on 01/08/2021 - 13:56
    +1

    If there is a continuous line between the two lanes aren't you technically supposed to give way to the cars that aren't merging? But what if there are too many cars on the merging lane with barely any gaps? You kinda gotta be a bit aggressive with the gaps because If you try to do the right thing most cars won't slow down even a little bit to let you in and you end up stopping in the middle of the road thereby putting yourself in more danger.

    This is one of those rare situations where not following the rules would be safer imo.

  • jaimex2 on 01/08/2021 - 17:43
    +1

    Legally you have to give way to them.

    Etiquette or mindfulness of others doesn't exist on the road and you shouldn't rely on it. Some people are nice others are douche bags.

    My advice is to just change lanes and signal at the same time so they don't have the chance to close gaps.

  • groot on 01/08/2021 - 18:01

    you should not have Honked ! You threw your anger first, so does he.
    It not unusual to see people speeding up .. I would say he was not courteous enough to gave you way but that does not mean you vent out by beeping.

  • Saver Scott on 01/08/2021 - 18:05
    +1

    (profanity) that beeping guy. Keep changing lanes and if he crashes into you, then it’s his
    fault.

  • Name on 01/08/2021 - 19:19

    He was a idiot for speeding up, but beeping also wasn't called for as they didn't need to let you in.

    Something similar happened to me when I was on my Ps. But I was the car speeding up. The guy pulled up at the lights and started to have a go at me. I just wound the window up and turned on the music to drown him out. 20 years of driving under my belt now, now I just let people in. No point.

  • Jjj888 on 01/08/2021 - 19:21

    You're obviously young and new driver so you have alot to learn in time you will learn you have to be more aggressive and defensive driver

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 20:11
      +1

      You know whats funny about this. I am actually not that young, and I am a fairly experienced driver. But for once, I thought I would do the right thing and just stay in the left lane, (because no cars parked there, and ironically nothing after those 2 cars parked, and a new route to work).

      Usually I am very defensive, but on this occasion I guess I learnt my lesson haha.

  • archieduh on 01/08/2021 - 20:46
    +1

    OP - With you on this one based on the premise.
    I hope most comments are just trolls, otherwise we need to do something about it.

    Situation:
    * OP was in left lane and noticed parked cars ahead. He/She indicated in time and did the headcheck.
    * OP determined that if he/she changes lane the approaching vehicle is sufficiently far that if they mainatin their speed the OP will be in the new lane and ensure the approaching vehicle still has a 3 second Crash Avoidance Space. The OP then indicated to observe this for a sufficient period (3 second) and as per the OP it was still safe to change lane (and maintain a 3sec Crash Avoidance Space with the approaching vehicle.
    * OP observed that upon indicating, the approaching vehicle did not maintain speed but instead accelerated.
    * This means the approaching vehicle broke the law as the acceleration was based on noticing the OP's indicator. Check ND025 and ND035 in the NSW DKT question bank which descibe a similar situation related to overtaking. One can not accelerate based to outrun the other vehicle.
    * OP honked politely to let the vehicle know they broke the law. Unethical as it is a sign of road rage. Illegal? Not sure.
    * The OP is not saying that he/she expected them to slow down and give way to him/her.

    I don't care what OP has described that he was going left right left or whatever. All i care is during that period of passage. That lane of road. If what happened as the OP described. This is a separate discussion related to dangerous driving which is subjective and should not be confused and mixed when discussing rule related to "accelerating when vehicle in front of you wants to change lanes safely".

    Now everyone will go on and say hey we don't know what really happened, bla bla. Of course we don't.
    We are here to answer a question technically based on the hypothetical scene OP described.
    And it may sound funny but the truth is in reality we can never know this without an MSPaint diagram.

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 21:21
      +1

      Why thankyou. Because the way you have described it is exactly what happened. I was more upset at the fact of him speeding up to close that gap.

      Just not sure why they thought that would be a good idea.

      • archieduh on 01/08/2021 - 21:48
        +1

        Thanks.
        Guess both of us know that you were right becuase you DID NOT change lane and did not collide.
        Had you continued to turn and collided that is when it makes this you breaking the law and responsible for collision.
        I too have a natural tendency to stick to the left lane and I have to always fight and stay in right in such situation even after years of driving.
        Hope the comments didn't put you off - as most were based on assumptions that you were trying to jump in or expected him to slow down and all that.

      • archieduh on 02/08/2021 - 00:04

        Looking at your edit 1 on the description now I am confused. Have I got it wrong.
        As per my understanding of the original post.
        The issue was not how you had been changing lanes on your journey.
        The issue was someone accelerating when you indicated to change lanes.
        Have I misunderstood?

    • Eeples on 01/08/2021 - 23:01

      You don’t honk to let someone know they broke the law.

      How do you honk politely? (Two little ones?)

    • Mistredo on 02/08/2021 - 01:33
      +1

      I cannot find ND025 (it does not exist in the current question bank), and ND035 talks about a completely different situation that is hardly applicable in this case.

      I've checked this PDF https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads…

      • archieduh on 02/08/2021 - 11:33

        I am trying to find the details in the Road Users Handbook but to no avail. I guess the question bank should refer to page number on handbook or law number to help us map QAs to actual rules.
        I remember my driving instructors (long time now) were clear that if I accelerate and not let someone change lane - which they would have been to able to safely at my existing speed (and not that I have to slow down and give way), then I am creating a dangerous situation and breaking the law.
        To add, I agree this is only a technicality I am discussing, without dashcam videos in case say one gets in a collision then unless the vehicle accelrating admits - yes I saw him/her indicate and accelerated (which no one would), the fault will be with the one on left (in this case the OP). But as the collision didn't happen and the OP stayed in the left lane, he/she avoided being in the wrong except honking which is not legal - warn other drivers that your vehicle is approaching, but illegal - Beeping aggressively at drivers that have annoyed you or honking unnecessarily even to a friend to say hi (and I found about this las bit only after reading the comments and then cross-checking, yes it's illegal to honk at a friend to say hi or make them notice you).

  • mccarthyp64 on 01/08/2021 - 20:51

    Bikies

  • 2024 on 01/08/2021 - 21:03

    I wonder about the comments if OP were to create a new account and start a post as the other guy:

    “I saw a guy indicating, so I deliberately sped up to close a gap and prevent him from getting into my lane, and then he beeped at me!”

    • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 21:17
      +1

      🤣. What would my username be?

      • 2024 on 01/08/2021 - 22:00
        +1

        iHopeOzBargainForumCommentsArentATrueReflectionOfSociety69

        Edit: somewhat amusingly I didn’t even see your earlier comment where you paraphrased the conversation when I posted just above aha. Doing about 45,000km a year in metro areas I suppose you could say it was an educated guess as to their attitude lol

        • iNeed2Pee on 01/08/2021 - 22:17
          -1

          I'm looking back thinking, I cant believe I am still justifying myself in my replies. This is why I had to just write what he actually said to me haha.

  • Kranbone on 02/08/2021 - 01:56
    +3

    I wouldn't have sped up however you're in the wrong as you're going into their lane. Gotta wait for the lane to be clear.

    Also note, in some cases, they may be a (profanity) by trying to close a gap and having small man syndrome, but in other cases it's just them trying to close a gap and lower the risk of you trying to cut in. Rephrase, some people make really bad choices, and by closing the gap, it essentially removes the temptation/opportunity of them sneaking in.

    • Ughhh on 02/08/2021 - 16:31
      +1

      some people make really bad choices, and by closing the gap, it essentially removes the temptation/opportunity of them sneaking in.

      This!

  • Jjj888 on 02/08/2021 - 02:29
    +1

    No matter who you talk to everyone will have their own opinions of who was right or wrong……. Personally if I need to cross over or to turn at the last minute I'll do whatever I can to get across so they have no choice but that's what you learn driving in the big city traffic it's usually every man for himself and if the other driver is not quick enough then you can get in the gap, just don't give them time to even respond or react if you can get in there without causing an accident then you're good mate fk them if they don't want to comply bahahahhaha it takes a little evasive action that's all

  • io on 02/08/2021 - 04:15

    I let cars in to the right as a courtesy. Most people treat me with kindness as well. In your case, the other car should not just speed up to close the gap. He was in the right but it was inappropriate to do so. We need patience and kindness everywhere.

  • FittyFitty on 02/08/2021 - 09:17
    +1

    If this is the most important conundrum in your life, you're doing alright…

    • iNeed2Pee on 02/08/2021 - 11:16

      Thanks for replying to my most important conundrum in my life. Cheers

  • kanmen on 02/08/2021 - 10:52
    +1

    I've kept up with this thread over the last few days and noted your edit that says this:

    Next time I will just stay in the right lane on a road that is below 80km/hr.

    The problem with this is that you'll just have the same issue again when someone in the right lane needs to turn right onto a side street and you'll get stuck behind them until they turn and the lane becomes clear, or you decide to change lanes to the left lane and potentially have the same issue with a car coming down the left lane.

    Arguably it's the exact same issue that someone might speed up to not let you in and they unfortunately have every right to do so.

    • iNeed2Pee on 02/08/2021 - 11:15

      So you suggest I take a bus to work? 🤣

      • kanmen on 02/08/2021 - 16:55

        No just don't let it get to you either way, there's no point.

  • pippohippo on 02/08/2021 - 11:51
    +1

    Experienced a similar experience but it was 2 lanes merging into 1. I was already in the merged single lane but a tradie wanted to overtake the car behind me. He does so by using the turn right lane, into oncoming traffic and striped island. The car behind me saw and refused to let him enter. They both collided because they both didn't want to give way to each other… both are idiots but the tradie had his ego hurt so decided to drive even more recklessly… play it safe and stick to the right lane. Jumping in and out when you know there are cars will just eventually piss off someone. You might get beeps and verbal abuse but at least you're not in an accident and out of pocket for insurance claims and an increase in premium.

  • ManneredImagery on 02/08/2021 - 12:41

    Hey OP,
    Haven't gone through all the comments however this exact situation this quite a regular occurrence for myself living in North Melb burbs. The other driver obviously over entitled to not be able to share it with anyone else, however that's their problem.
    My advice after dealing with so many of these situations is to look out for these idiots and drive defensively when you see it, it's usually never worth the confrontation or potential accident.

  • geoffs87 on 02/08/2021 - 17:24

    nothing frustrates me more than people who ride the left lane to try and zip up past crawling traffic. Especially when the left lane is often used as parking.

    What the other car did was wrong, but i certainly don't create space to let those zipping cars on the left in, but i don't speed up to close the gap. Whether you were zipping or not, alot of people use those left lanes for that person, and i can imagine theres alot of drivers out there like me who don've have time for other impatient drivers

  • El cheepo on 02/08/2021 - 20:47

    I hate both of you equally as road users 😂

    I hate people that shut a gap when its well and truely unnecessary, speeding up on some poor person trying to move across with ample room makes my blood boil.

    I derive no greater joy then seeing some peanut speed up on my truck from 100 meters back when i start indicating to change lanes. (Very few ever make it past 😏)

    But i also hate people with out situational awareness and that leave stuff like changing lanes to the last minute.

    I feel for you though, yours was the lesser of the two evils. People make mistakes.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 02/08/2021 - 22:25
    +2

    It would have been courteous to let you in, but it's not only uncommon, many drivers go out of their way to make it difficult for you. It's incredibly common on the freeway, someone will be hanging in the lane to the right of you, but keeping a constant distance behind and not catching up or overtaking. However as they see you come up to vehicles in your lane, they'll accelerate as you indicate and hover next to you to stop you changing lanes. I think it's because they have personal issues.

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