Cars 'flashing' you past

[stinkwheel]

Something I've noticed a bit of recently, especially on the A9 heading to Inverness is car drivers sticking on their left flasher as I came up behind them.

Now wagon drivers often do this because they tend to pay attention to what is behind them and are aware that they aren't easy to see past as a means of telling you the road ahead is clear. ie flasher comes on, safe to pass (or as I read it, safe to stick your nose out to see if anything's coming).

Trouble is that on a few occasions recently, I've come up behind a car, seen them look at me in their mirror (I watch for this) and then they've switched on their left flasher when there is quite obviously oncoming traffic.

I am totally baffled as to why they would be doing this. I can only hope they aren't using the signal for its traditional (albeit unofficial) use of indicating to the following vehicle that it is safe to pass. If that is the case, they are deliberately trying to kill me.

They definately weren't indicating to turn left on account of the facts that there was nowhere to turn left into and because they didn't.

Anyone else encountered this? Anyone know what the hell they're up to? They must have done it for some reason because they blatantly looked at me then switched on the flasher on each occasion.
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[colin1]

they arent telling u its clear, just that they are aware u want to overtake and wont stop u or speed up having not seen u

i think its a good idea and intend to do it on occasions when i have a faster bike behind who wants to get past

id not do it if a junction was coming up though
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[kat250]

Scarily enough i have encouter the same thing on the same road but tends to be more around perth area upto dalwinie. I just get the impression they dont like bikes behind them. Most times it tend to be a slower driver, I just check up ahead and if clear go for it giving them a wave for the thought and that they check there mirrors kinda thing.
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[Aikman666]

Ive seen this happen too. Although the unofficial meaning is "Its safe to overtake me" some people use it like "I know your there, overtake me when its safe (i hope)". Ive had it done to me in the same region infact. But the one biggest thing that ive learned is dont give a shit about what other people tell you about the situation, make sure for yourself before acting. Its worth mentioning that this week i also had some tosspot overtake me ....as i was overtaking this week . Some people...really.
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[0ddball]

I'm appreciative of it, at least they have noticed i'm there. I don't think it crosses their mind whether it is actually safe to pass but in most situations the road is wide enough to slip past safely without crossing the centre line so i do.

If for some reason i don't want to pass i just drop back a bit and they seem to get the message.

[WavyGravy]

I havent come accross anyone deliberately signalling me into trouble ..... yet! though I do get a sixth sense when i'm about to overtake a car whether hes going to accelerate just to mess me around... sixth sense maybe spoting 6 inch diameter exhaust though

I suppose its best to treat any signals from other drivers as possible maybe's , except the wildly flashinbg headlights coming towards you, which could mean hes lost brakes or theres a speed camera ahead. The classic is the driver who signals another driver out of a side road just as you are filtering past, or the driver who motions a pedestrian to cross - they think they're being kind but their kindness could put you in traction.
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[Mark_petty]

I hate it when cars move further to the right trying to stop you from overtaking
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[Andy C]

[Lawnie]

It must be primarily a north thing, I've never seen any of this down here.

[Finglonga]

[Method]

I had something like that yesterday evening which kind of baffled me...

I was riding on the dual caraigeway around my area, and i came up on the left hand lane behind a car, i popped onto the overtaking lane and when i got near enough side on to the car, it flashed its main beams twice...

I couldnt work out what he was doing or why, i thought he might have been warning me of something ahead - but there was only 1 vehicle ahead and that was with a trailer doing a steady 60mph...


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[tatters]

Seem to get alot of drivers coming the other way flashing there lights when l,m thrashing the bike (speeding) as if they want me to slow down
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[Handsome]

[Andy C]

[Black Knight]

Slightly off topic but what really annoys me is oncoming traffic flashing at you as you peform an overtake.

Well, thats not entirely right. You pull out, pass, move back in, continue riding, then the car passing on the other side flashes its lights as if to say you nearly had a head on collision. Fucking gibbon!

Its fair enough if you haven't observed correctly and they have to brake, but I find more often than not im out past and back in well before im anywhere near them.
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[tatters]

But 90% of the time there nothing ahead of me, its just wankers what get in a fuss about other road users going fast, like people who wave there arms on the side of the road trying to get you to slow down.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[craigs23]

I've seen the indicator flash from time to time, but would only take it as them recognising my presence. I appreciate the gesture, but I'd make an overtake when I see it's safe/I'm comfortable to do so.

My telepathic sense isn't what it used to be and often read flashing headlights as almost anything - slow down, ploice, accident ahead, nice bike, there's something loose, your bike's smoking.....grabs my attention I guess, which usually allows a quick diagnosis of my riding/the bike

[JonB]

[Josh]

I notice quite a few people down here flashing left to let me pass, even in oncoming traffic they often indicate/pull in a bit and wave me on, people are pretty nice down here.
And everytime I have ever gone past the police I have been warned in advance (usually by van drivers/boy racers) with erratic flashing and hand gestures as we pass. Nothing beats knowing the cop heard you coming only to clock you at 1mph under the limit pootling by until you are out of sight and he hears you again
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[Josh]

[BFG]

Left Indicator when oncoming traffic = I won't mind if you filter past me on the white line.

See it a lot and this is nice of them. You get it more if you position yourself ready to filter and the driver in front picks up your body language.

[stinkwheel]

[innominate]

The problem I come across most is the car drivers being unable to work out how lanes on motorways are used.


If I am right behind you and there is space in the middle lane, then pull the fuck over!!!!!!!!



As undertaking usually makes me a bit nervous.
(Not that that stops me tbh)
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[michael j]

One of my pet hates is when the cage in front see's you and pulls all the way over to the left. Its a nice gesture but they just end up kicking all the gravel and shit up in the air and depending on your road position, all over you...
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[EuropeanNC30R...]

Left indicator I can deal with, but muppets who use the right one to 'signal' you past are clearly missing some brain cells.

I had it today, was behind a bus who kept their right indicator on for ages (obviously wasn't going to overtake), then when came to a long straight with no traffic or junctions in sight, he stuck his arm out of the window as if to say hurry up etc

Cheers mate, you just kept me behind for half a mile with that 'overtake' signalling.