Courtesy gestures on the road

I thought this was an accident from people who were switching off their indicators manually and pushing the stalk too far.

Didn't even consider it's on purpose. But would make more sense than looking for the hazard switch I guess.
 
imranpanji said:
If the road is particularly dark and small, you indicate right when you approach a vehicle heading the other way. It helps to show where the edge of your vehicle is, as headlights can be deceiving where indicators are typically mounted on the side.
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I've only seen this on Kenya.

Slightly different because the road isn't large enough for two cars to pass easily at speed.

So whoever flicks their headlights gets to go first and then both parties put their inside indicator on.

Then they play chicken.
 
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same here - quick flash of the hazards to say thanks, quick flash of the high-beams to acknowledge a thank you and when i am on the bike, it's usually a nod or a thumbs up - decent thing to do
 
samrai.jck said:
Oh no man guys, you need some common decency.

When you want to pass someone and they go on the yellow or to the left, you give them a quick jab of the hazards, they will then courteously respond with a quick flash of the Hibeams, "Idiots" seems a bit much. Its a nice gesture for people spending long hours on the road, you can either be an ass, get mad and drive like a hooligan or show some form of nicety when driving. To each his own.
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NONE of which is actually legal and WILL get you a ticket if a traffic cop happens to see you, which is why you see trucks with 'no driving in emergency lane' stickers on them, and why I won't do it. I appreciate that sometimes it is helpful if someone pulls over to assist with passing, but you are long gone if I get a ticket and my generosity doesn't stretch that far to take that risk. I simply can't afford it.
 
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Zoomzoom said:
NONE of which is actually legal
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Meh.
If I'm turning into a busy street and someone slows down to let me in, I'm using my hazard to say thanks.
If I need to turn off a busy street and someone oncoming slows down and hibeams me to go, I'll give 'em a hibeam back to say thanks.
 
No its highly illegal and the hawks are surrounding your village. Some folk are too lazy to lean forward or what ever it takes to push in the hazard button for a second or two so they already have there hands near the indicator soothes just use that
 
When are you permitted to use it, are you obliged to move into the yellow lane if a vehicle wants to pass you on an open road, or are you within your right to continue your steady path?


The answer is simple, and clearly laid out in Regulation 298A of the National Road Traffic Act which refers to yellow lines. Legally, the only time you are allowed to use the emergency lane is if you have a real emergency, such as if your car breaks down, if you are rushing to the hospital, or need to stop immediately in the event of a medical emergency. On a freeway, the emergency lane is reserved for emergencies only like fire-fighting vehicles, emergency response vehicles, rescue vehicles and ambulances, so if you need to use it then the purpose needs to be for the same kind of reasons. Using the emergency lane as a “passing lane” on a freeway is not permitted at all.

The only exception for normal motorists is if you are traveling on a single carriageway road with one lane in each direction. In this case it is permitted to move into the emergency lane to allow faster moving cars to pass you. However, the Act clearly states that if you are moving aside to allow vehicles to pass, you can only do so during daytime hours, which means between sunrise and sunset. By law you are required to make sure that you have at least 150m of visibility ahead before you move over, so under no circumstances can you slip into the yellow line on a blind rise. Likewise, on an open road, if there is heavy rain, mist or fog that hinders visibility, the emergency lane is out of bounds as you may hit a stationery vehicle, or worse, a pedestrian.
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https://www.aa.co.za/about/press-ro...it-permitted-to-drive-in-the-yellow-lane.html
 
Zoomzoom said:
NONE of which is actually legal and WILL get you a ticket if a traffic cop happens to see you, which is why you see trucks with 'no driving in emergency lane' stickers on them, and why I won't do it. I appreciate that sometimes it is helpful if someone pulls over to assist with passing, but you are long gone if I get a ticket and my generosity doesn't stretch that far to take that risk. I simply can't afford it.
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National Road Traffic Regulations, 1999
Chapter X : Rules of the road and matters relating thereto
Part I : Rules of the road
298A. Prohibition on driving on shoulder of public road, except in certain circumstances
Purchase cart Previous page Return to chapter overview Next page


1) Subject to subregulation (2) and regulation 298(1)(e), no person shall drive a motor vehicle on the shoulder of a public road.

2) Notwithstanding subregulation (1), the driver of a motor vehicle may, during the period between sunrise and sunset, drive such motor vehicle on the shoulder of a public road which is designated for one lane of traffic in each direction –
a) while such motor vehicle is being overtaken by another vehicle; and
b) if he or she can do so without endangering himself or herself, other traffic, pedestrians or property on such public road; and
c) if persons and vehicles upon a public road are clearly discernible at a distance of at least 150 meters
 
Trucks have always indicated right (1 or 2 flickers) when gesturing its safe to overtake. I have never seen anyone indicate left when its safe to overtake. I always make sure I can see my path before going on the truck driver's judgement.

Interesting that it is only allowed during daylight to use the yellow shoulder to give way. It actually makes sense. I have seen some scary things in the shoulder on some of our highways. In the Eastern Cape on the N2 I've seen a few dead animals (cows, horses, dogs) and on the N1 truck tyres that have stripped.
 
Nerfherder said:
The correct usage of the hazards signal is for when there is a hazard. It's to warn other road users of potential hazards.
Using this signal to say thanks is both confusing and incorrect.


The same with the idiots who use hi beams to say thanks
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Its only confusing for people that haven't driven anywhere in their lives and lacks common sense.
 
Sinbad said:
I find this counterintuitive though.
When I see a car indicating right, I will not overtake as I assume they're going to turn right.
Rather indicate left.
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I agree with this. I use my indicators to show what I am going to do, not what the other driver should do.
 
rietrot said:
Its only confusing for people that haven't driven anywhere in their lives and lacks common sense.
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So someone visiting SA lacks common sense and should just know?
 
Zoomzoom said:
NONE of which is actually legal and WILL get you a ticket if a traffic cop happens to see you, which is why you see trucks with 'no driving in emergency lane' stickers on them, and why I won't do it. I appreciate that sometimes it is helpful if someone pulls over to assist with passing, but you are long gone if I get a ticket and my generosity doesn't stretch that far to take that risk. I simply can't afford it.
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There is no risk in making way by driving in the yellow lane for a few 100 meters when u can clearly see its safe to do so eg. no obstructions.

There is a lot more risk in driving like an *******, thinking u own the road, playing speed cop and frustrating everyone else
 
bwana said:
So someone visiting SA lacks common sense and should just know?
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If u have seen this happen ones or twice u should get it. It not like someone driving with their hazards on.
 
marco79 said:
Trucks have always indicated right (1 or 2 flickers) when gesturing its safe to overtake. I have never seen anyone indicate left when its safe to overtake. I always make sure I can see my path before going on the truck driver's judgement.

Interesting that it is only allowed during daylight to use the yellow shoulder to give way. It actually makes sense. I have seen some scary things in the shoulder on some of our highways. In the Eastern Cape on the N2 I've seen a few dead animals (cows, horses, dogs) and on the N1 truck tyres that have stripped.
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This is contrary to the previous post on this very matter. That is why my first post about this asked the question. So which is it?

Yellow lane driving is completely prohibited on two lanes in each direction highways. Yet there are many on the road that believe slow moving vehicles MUST move out of the way of faster traffic , even when you are in the left most lane.

So here is the wording of a sign I have on the back of my 4 x 4.

I DON'T drive in the yellow lane
It is Illegal
I DON'T EXPECT YOU to drive in the yellow lane
It is against the law
But if you do
Thank you for allowing me to pass you
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