Quote:
Originally Posted by Polar Bear
I have little doubt that the auto driver is at fault. For one thing because I trust Rubicon and his take on the situation.
But there is plenty of talk here that sounds like no matter what, if the car is any distance behind the cart traveling at any speed, then the cart has the right-of-way. That is simply not the case.
Yes, there are signs showing the merge is approaching. But just like on a highway, the primary (not full) responsibility is on the driver in the lane that is being terminated to adjust speed and find an appropriate gap for a merge...not to just signal and move left.
It's somewhat similar to a right turn on red. Just because a vehicle approaching your intersection is to your left does not automatically mean you have the right to turn in front of it. The gap must be enough to allow you to enter the lane and reach a reasonable speed without requiring the approaching vehicle to make any extreme or evasive maneuvers.
You're correct..."merge does not mean to stop and wait for all traffic to pass". But it's just as true that merge does not mean you can just signal and go.
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Polar Bear
what you share "depends" On any road in any city or state the vehicle overtaking another vehicle on the left has the primary responsibility. A second situation is when a driver is backing up.
I believe you will find that most cops will tell you with both situations the drive over taking and /or backing has the greater share of responsibility.
In The Villages our streets are designed with additional lanes called diamond lanes and used primarily by golf carts. Everyone of these diamond lanes has markings to indicate merging with auto traffic at stop lights and at village gates.
Now we come to the "depends"as expressed above. the depends , depends on the position of the vehicles involved. In my situation I was the lead vehicle and properly signaled looked merged and completed my merge when overtaken. Contrast that to the poster who stated he was side by side with a golf cart when the driver of the cart began to merge from the diamond lane.
when it comes to fault most accidents involve contributory negligence, less so with backing and overtaking which are about absolute
I have certainly been guilty of some mistakes while driving and when I have motioned to the opposing driver my mea culpa.