A dashcam video shows how an everyday Kiwi scene almost became a disaster zone due to one driver's speed and inattention while attempting to overtake.
The footage shows a line of vehicles slowing behind a milk tanker as it prepares to turn into a Waikato dairy farm.
As the cars wait for the truck to turn, the camera catches an Audi four-wheel-drive speeding past in the opposite lane to overtake - even as the truck's indicator is clearly visible.
The inevitable happens, despite the Audi driver's attempts to brake and swerve, and the 4WD slams into the truck's cab in a glancing collision that sends both vehicles tumbling off the road.
The driver of the dashcam vehicle sums up the incident with a stream of expletives.
The man who shared the video, which was filmed on June 7, had a message for other road users.
"Ok people.....when you see a truck slowing down with his indicator on and the cars behind it slowing......think about it.....could save a life.....YOURS!"
Comments on the video, which was shared to social media, expressed frustration with the Audi driver's actions and revealed how commonplace the behaviour is.
"Mate I feel ya," wrote one commenter. "Some of the s*** my drivers go through on the daily just as bad as you I'm sure and they're driving fuel around. Bloody muppets on the road."
"Poor truck drivers having to deal with this," said another.
Others argued that the driver could have killed someone and their actions should result in their car being seized.
Another blamed our "No consequences society," saying the driver could "apologise, claim the insurance, do it again".
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Comments
while on the face of the footage it doesnt look good for the audi driver, the video doesnt show 3 seconds of indicating prior to the truck turning.
the road code also requires the turning vehicle to check their mirrors, and turn only when safe.
there is also the option in the road code of the truck pulling to the left and waiting for the traffic to clear before making the right turn when safe to do so.
What dishonest arguments, seriously! The other cars had plenty of warning. And pulling the truck off to the left would have endangered the truck and other traffic. Sometimes you have to slow down, sometimes you have to stop, even if you drive an Audi.
That Audi needs to be crushed and the driver given a lifetime ban from driving.
Interesting argument there JB01.
There's not enough footage prior to the event to determine how long the truck driver indicated for. I'd assume as a professional driver that he/she would be doing the right thing.
The video presented to us shows the traffic slowing from 40 to 31kph over the first couple of seconds and clearly shows the queue of traffic had sufficient time to slow along with the truck. The Audi makes an appearance around the 1.25 second mark and is already 100% committed to the overtaking manoeuvre.... (possibly suggesting they'd passed multiple cars behind the car with the dashcam)
The road code might say "turn only when safe" but it also says "overtake only when safe to do so".
Without seeing the full video, my money is with the professionally trained truck driver & I hope he/she is ok.
So true, on all points jb01!
In addition 3 secs of blinking is ridiculously short, 10 would be more appropriate and more safe.
7 seater people movers and Audi's.......I've seen almost consistantly profound ignorant and sheer stupidity from drivers of these two vehicles I could write a book. Whenever I see any of these two vehicles I'm on alert!! And almost EVERYTIME, my suspicion and bias is justfied.