Near Miss with Caravan. Who was in the wrong?

[Codey90]

So today driving back from work on my 125, I was driving behind a carvan being towed by a car. The caravan put its hazard lights on and slowed down then swerved to the right hand lane where there was a lay-by. Naturally, I thought it had broken down. Once it was heading for the lay-by on the other side of the road I sped back up as normal to carry on.

The caravan then swerved back to the left and it turned out it was swinging out to make a turn into a side road on the left. Surely they should have just indicated left to indicate they was making a left turn rather than hazard lights? I had to slam all brakes on full, tyre skidding and it was lucky it wasn't worse. The speed I was doing before going into the emergency stop was only 28-30mph.

[Ste]

You were.

"watch out for long vehicles which may be turning at a junction ahead; they may have to use the whole width of the road to make the turn"

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203

Tyres are not meant to skid in an emergency stop.

[G]

In the past I've indicated left and swung out to the right in a long van because I'm turning into a really narrow driveway, for someone to try and nip up the left hand side - then get annoyed when I almost take them out.

I'd say even if it had broken down, it'd be sensible in that situation to hang back until it was very clear what was going on - possibly something had gone wrong enough that you wouldn't want to be close to it.

Also, left indicators wouldn't signal to oncoming vehicles or ones that may and try and pass on the right that they could be doing that - I'd probably just have used left, but I can see why they used hazard lights instead.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Codey90]

Thanks guys, never came across this situation before so a bit of a learning experience. I think it may have just been confusing with the hazard lights and a lay-by being in close proximity. In the future if I see hazard lights I'll slow down to give enough distance until I find out what's going on

[grr666]

If he had only flashed a left you might have overtaken and copped it there instead. People towing trailers need
the space to make the turn. His confusing signals were not helpful but the hazards would have had me dropping
back until I was sure what he was doing. He was attempting to communicate with you and was certainly
aware of you. I certainly wouldn't attempt a pass, on either side tbh until I had seen him clear. You lives and you learns.

It's why its good noobs have to ride smaller bikes to learn their chops on. You can't run into trouble nearly as quick. On
a big bike you would have been away lots quicker and straight into the nearside of him. Assuming driver only he would
walk away without a scratch while you may well have needed airlifted out. No harm done this time. Chalk it up, move
on and give trailers (including and especially artics) lots of room at slower town speeds, after all it's only really at slow
speeds that BIG space needing manouvres are attempted. As for big lorries you should try and sit behind an artic far
enough for you to see his mirrors. I tend to sit out to the right of my lane so I'm the first thing he sees in his offside
mirror. Now he can see you too and if he stops suddenly (and 40tonnes with umpteen massive tyres on the
ground and air brakes with ABS can stop surprisingly quickly in wet or dry conditions) and you'll have room to stop too.

We've all ballsed up and got ourselves into a spot. If you see a situation developing and you can't avoid it
sit back, observe, evaluate and then react. If you do the first 3 then the fourth is usually pass without hinderance
anyway as whatever it was has happened and your way is now clear.
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Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Easy-X]

When in doubt, hang back. No sense rushing early to your grave!
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[iooi]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[dynax]

I used to drive a 7.5 with trailer, and if i needed to swing wide, i would indicate which direction first then pull wide if it was safe, worst was having to reverse on occasions, there were some stupid twats that would do whatever they could to get past
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[Teflon-Mike]

[1198]

[adam277]

Definitely you.

But you live and you learn.
It's a tricky one with a long vehicle but he put the hazards on which should of made you aware.
____________________
Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[adam277]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Doesn't what you posted simply confirm that hazard flashers were not appropriate in the situation the OP described?

[Ste]

They had the desired effect in that they got his attention.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Ste]

There's the possibility that the wiring from car to caravan was less than perfect so the driver thought he was indicating left.

OP, had you passed a sign telling you there's a left turn ahead?

[adam277]

[doggone]

If I was doing it I'd have left turn on well in advance then use strong road positioning perhaps with hazards and hand signal to reinforce something unorthodox was going to happen.
But chances are they would not be familiar with the road layout so not aware themselves until later than was ideal.

[Riejufixing]

Who was in the wrong? A bit of both.

The driver should not have been using his hazard lights in that situation. It's against the law.

You should have been a bit more considered in your actions which will come with time I guess.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Codey90]

[stinkwheel]

Towing a caravan is always wrong.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[doggone]