Originally posted by LittleBigMan
That's ok. But I can't imagine not knowing how to communicate with other drivers and look for signs of assistance from them. This is basic not only to vehicular cycling, but driving as well.
Sure. I do a lot of that, directing traffic, pointing at drivers and then giving them a stop signal or letting them know I'm turning across their path, or signalling to overtaking cars that it's safe or not safe to pass.
But that's not the same as trusting them with my life. I never do anything that would expose me to danger if the driver somehow misinterprets or ignores a signal. And I never merge with traffic that's moving faster than me, under any circumstances. The car you're merging in front of may be yielding, but the next one after that may get frustrated and decide to zoom around and pass everybody on the right.
RichC