Was I in the wrong?

[Cowsham]

When being taught to drive a car 43 years ago my instructor said never ever ever rely on the traffic lights alone to asses whether it is safe to proceed.

This advice once saved my life and probably my sons life ( as he was in the passengers seat ) as a large oil tanker truck hurtled past the front of our car at a roundabout with traffic lights.

It just didn't stop at all I think because the driver was in the middle lane flanked on each side by other large lorries so he didn't see the lights properly. The other lorries stopped he just flew on through.

That was a very close call indeed -- my lights were green and I had just set off from the lights across the front of the stationary lorry on my right just keeping my eye on the tanker approaching but not making an attempt to slow down.

Similarly cars on a main road with turn signals on approaching a junction you are about to exit onto the main road. Don't assume they are about to turn until they actually do.

[Bmblbzzz]

Similar to your middle lane lorry, never assume a crossing or junction with stationary traffic in one lane will be clear.

[ChrisP100]

Similarly cars on a main road with turn signals on approaching a junction you are about to exit onto the main road. Don't assume they are about to turn until they actually do.

Just assume all possibilities and have a contingency. Just because the <insert German car brand here> driver is signalling right, it doesn't mean they aren't going to turn left...

[Grandad]

Just assume all possibilities and have a contingency. Just because the <insert German car brand here> driver is signalling right, it doesn't mean they aren't going to turn left...

A variation of this was a driver signalling left but going straight on and hitting a car that believed the signal and pulled out. The driver said the signal was meant to show his intention to turn into the drive of a house on the far side of the junction!

[Cowsham]

Just assume all possibilities and have a contingency. Just because the <insert German car brand here> driver is signalling right, it doesn't mean they aren't going to turn left...

A variation of this was a driver signalling left but going straight on and hitting a car that believed the signal and pulled out. The driver said the signal was meant to show his intention to turn into the drive of a house on the far side of the junction!

Especially common with motorcycles since some ( most older bikes ) don't have automatic signal cancelling leaving the indicator on while riding past junction after junction until a car pulls out. Happens a lot with riders that keep the bike in the shed all winter and then out in the spring/summer.