Entering a main road?

I have noticed that many motorists have a distinct, but irrational way of taking a turn to another road. This usually happens when a vehicle takes a turn into the main road from a side road, and in most cases defies three basic things in motor driving: good old common sense, scientific reasons and motor rules.

• Slow down/ Stop before entering a road (Common Sense)

Perhaps the most basic rule. Let us take an example - an auto rickshaw (can be any vehicle) taking a right turn to the main road from a side road usually just crosses the road and takes a customary glance over the shoulder towards the left after crossing the road! The case is even more noticeable when some one takes a turn from the left side - the turn is taken without even caring to look if there is vehicle approaching. Common sense says that the one coming from the side road should slow down or stop, watch if there is any vehicle, wait for it to pass and THEN enter the road.

• Always enter a road at right angles to it (Scientific)

I have a classified this as scientific, but this again is mostly common sense. The best visibility for a vehicle is from the front, where one does not have to really strain his/ her neck muscles to have a good view of the road being entered. For a four wheeler, this is the view from the front glass. If one needs to look through obstructing A/B-pillars and dark tinted side glass, visibility would be limited. Unobstructed and stress free view is obtained ONLY WHEN the vehicle enters a road at right angles to it. (there are some roads which enter at an angle to the road - be extra cautious in such roads - talk about scientifically designed roads!!)

• Keep left, till the turn is completed (Law/ Rule)

How many times have you noticed a vehicle (especially two wheelers) turning right from a side road, take the right side of the road being entered, continue head on against oncoming traffic, and then jump lanes to the left the moment oncoming traffic breaks? It goes without saying that such behavior is a mockery of common sense and road rules and near suicidal. The rule to be applied here is simple - LEFT IS RIGHT (on the road that is, and have no exceptions to this rule).

Want to see the above things kicked in the butt? For people from Trivandrum, observe the traffic on the road which joins the by-pass (Kazhakkuttom - Kovalam) from Aakkulam or have a look at the Technopark main entrance at morning hours on a week day!

Anything to help ...

http://jalopnik.com/5146211/thai-police-erect-fake-crash-sites-to-deter-drunk-driving

I had a crash today

Simbly Safe listeners,
Just to update you on a very interesting incident that I went through today. I was on leave - a planned leave, with a list of To Do items to complete. Here I set off to the city in my WagonR close to afternoon. I am nearing a small junction, no big rush on the road. A bike right in front of me slow down, I slow down, and here is hear a "DHUM" sound on my right side.
I screech to a halt - after all, I don't have to try too hard, since am almost at 20 kmph, thanks to the guy in the front. What happens next is, the "DHUM" sound is repeated on the right fender.
Up in the air goes 2 people on the bike and they & the bike fall down in front of me.....
What followed was an argument that stated that the fault is completely on my side, since I did not anticipate a speeding bike next to my right side. Forget it, as ended up in a lose-lose since both of us had almost equal damages.
As am writing it I'm happy for myself for 2 things :
1. I was on a very controllable speed - they finally landed on the road right in front of my car - if I was speeding, the situation could have been entirely different.
2. While I braked and halted, I did not move a bit from my seat. I had my belts on!
One thing, which I am really irritated about - though there were safe, THEY WERE NOT USING HELMETS! What if they had crashed with the head on the road? I'm thankful to god!