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The 'golden rule' driver broke before terrifying crash

Assuming the movements of other drivers on the road can often prove costly.

And it appears the driver of a white Audi in Sydney has made that exact mistake when spotting another car’s indicator.

Footage uploaded to the Facebook page Dash Cam Owners Australia on Wednesday shows a car driving along Richmond Road in the western suburb of Blacktown before appearing to indicate to change from the right lane to the left.

As the car shifts lane at 60km/h, a vehicle waiting in a side road on the left pulls out in front of the car in a bid to turn right.

Sydney dashcam video of Audi crashing into car changing lanes divides opinion
It appears the turning driver spots the indicator of the dashcam driver as he changes lanes and assumes they will be turning left. Source: Dash Cam Owners Australia

With little time to brake for the approaching car, the two vehicles collide.

The short clip has divided opinion online, with many unable to agree as to who was at fault.

While many have pointed out the approaching motorist should not indicate and change lanes so close to a left turn, others said the driver giving way to oncoming traffic could not be certain the car would be turning left.

“Dash cam driver’s fault. Shouldn’t have changed lanes when those cars are waiting to pull out,” one Facebook user claimed in defence of the Audi driver.

“That’s why you don’t leave the intersection until the car indicating starts turning into the same intersection,” another said in favour of the dashcam owner.

“Golden rule never trust a blinker,” another quipped.

Sydney dashcam video of Audi crashing into car changing lanes divides opinion
The vehicles collide, with a driving expert saying there is an element of blame for both drivers. Source: Dash Cam Owners Australia

Mick Humphries, General Manager of the Australian Driver Trainers Association, said there was no definitive answer in trying to determine who was to blame and criticism of both drivers was valid.

However Mr Humphries suggested the majority of blame was on the shoulders of the Audi motorist pulling out.

“When you’re in a give way situation you should ensure traffic has been given away to before making your next move,” he told Yahoo7 News.

“When I teach my students I say to them, ‘Let’s now look for the second sign [after the indicator] such as whether the vehicle is slowing down’.”

But Mr Humphries pointed out that despite indicating to change lanes was correct, there was “contributing negligence” from the dashcam driver and noted a specific rule of the road where they could have been at fault.

“You should always indicate when required to unless confusing circumstances prevail.”