Indicators do you use them or not?

[215m3]

As the highway code states MSM everytime one changes lanes or direction. I would like to hear folks opinions.

My take on it is to use it if another road user will benefit from it. If there are no other roads users or pedestrians to benefit. So many folk just put on the indicator on with out really checking and thise that never use them at all. Roundabouts are the worst failure to not indicate.

A few examples: -

On a roundabout if going past the 12 o'clock position i indicate, then indicate to turn off. I won't if there are no vehicles approaching the roundabout or behind me.

On a 2 lane road or more, i will indicate to move to the lane on the right if there is a queue in that lane, but won't to move back to the nearside lane as the HC states to return to this lane once you have finished overtaking. If there is a car behind by, say 70m and i am approaching a vehicle. To overtake i won't indicate as they should be aware of my speed and antisapate my course of action.

Filter lanes that are one direction only i won't indicate.

 

[st4]

If I am in doubt I will indicate my intention. The IAMs take (my observers anyway) was to do it if it were only of benefit to another road user or padestrian will benefit.

In truth, it lies between the "always use" and the "if only of benefit to others" type thinking.

For example, its not neccessary to indicate left on a dual carriage way after over taking someone and you wish to move to lane 1, but I do it sometimes if there is a someone behind me who may wish to pass me after I return to lane 1. This has the benefit of letting the person is behind me that they can pass me after I resume my position in lane 1. If the car I am passing is travelling only 5mph slower than me I may indicate my return to lane 1 as our speeds are more closely matched and my road position will effect them more than if I were going 20mph faster and I'd be well past them and out of their sight then I wouldn't bother. In your dual carriage way example where you state if your 70m away and move into lane 2 and you say they should be able to judge your speed and anticipate your action I would still indicate, there are numpties out there and a signal may help.

Always indicate @ roundabouts, may not be anyone in sight when I approach, but by the time who knows and someone would benefit from my signal.

I can understand why you don't indicate where you're going on filter lanes as its blooming obvious and my IAM fella stopped me doing it.

I guess it does no harm to signal always but failing to do so can be potentially more serious.

 

[kjay]

I always use them if any other cars about - lane changes, roundabouts, everywhere. I'm still amazed at the amount of people who don't.

It can only reduce the chance of an accident.

.

 

[davidjpowell]

I drive a BMW - what are indicators?

 

[A210AMG]

I do try to use them all the time, I like the way a simple flick puts them on for three signals.

 

[A210AMG]

David... If your in a BMW you wouldn't see them any way as the fogs would be on

 

[st4]

David... If your in a BMW you wouldn't see them any way as the fogs would be on

Better when you're in an X5. Fog lights are level with peoples eyes. Dazzling folk that much easier

 

[lil.smartie]

I think they get removed on MOT tests in Somerset. Taunton MOT testers seem to be especially strict on this

Like everyone else on here I tend to use them when there are others about esp on roundabouts, there is one in Wells that has very odd lane markings & always catches the numerous tourists out!
Kate

 

[trapperjohn]

Indicators are for BMW drivers, they are used after a manouver. As in "I have just turned left, you knew I had right of way, after all I do drive a BMW"

 

[davidjpowell]

I do tend to indicate if there is someone around who would benefit from knowing my intentions. If they would not I may not bother!

 

[flango]

As the highway code states MSM everytime one changes lanes or direction. I would like to hear folks opinions.

My take on it is to use it if another road user will benefit from it. If there are no other roads users or pedestrians to benefit. So many folk just put on the indicator on with out really checking and thise that never use them at all. Roundabouts are the worst failure to not indicate.

A few examples: -

On a roundabout if going past the 12 o'clock position i indicate, then indicate to turn off. I won't if there are no vehicles approaching the roundabout or behind me.

On a 2 lane road or more, i will indicate to move to the lane on the right if there is a queue in that lane, but won't to move back to the nearside lane as the HC states to return to this lane once you have finished overtaking. If there is a car behind by, say 70m and i am approaching a vehicle. To overtake i won't indicate as they should be aware of my speed and antisapate my course of action.

Filter lanes that are one direction only i won't indicate.

As an Advanced driver and performance driver instructor the examples you give are perfectly correct.

We debated this one on another thread including not indicating off mini roundabouts, simple rule of thumb is if there is no one there to benefit then why do it?

In the last point it is not clear if you are talking about overtaking a stationary or moving vehicle, if you are overtaking a stationary vehicle then you should not indicate, if you are overtakng a moving vehicle you should present your vehicle so it can clearly be seen by the vehicle you are wanting to overtake and you should indicate.

No need to indicate in dedicated filter lanes unless it has multiple exits

 

[Big_Jon]

I cant abide people who dont indicate, it drives me absolutely insane when a mini roundabout clogs up all because everyone stops as one person couldnt be ****d to indicate.

 

[popuptoaster]

its bloody daft to say if no one is there then dont bother, half the point of indicators is to indicate to other road users you cant see what your up too, just cos you haven't seen anyone it dont mean they are not there,

"sorry mate i didn't see you"

has to be the most common thing anyone says after an accident!

Its not exactly hard work to indicate what your doing and probably takes more mental effort to asses weather to use them or not than just using them everytime.

 

[The G.F.P]

i paid good money for my bulbs so dont waste them

i only use then when i park on the herb outside the off licence on double yellow lines in rush hour

 

[kjay]

............. if you are overtaking a stationary vehicle then you should not indicate, .............

I do - 2 or 3 flashes. I'm sure that's what I was tought. Can you explain a bit more?

.

 

[st4]

I do - 2 or 3 flashes. I'm sure that's what I was tought. Can you explain a bit more?

.

Do 203's have the "one touch indicators". where if you nudge it you get 4 winks. Ideal for such situations.

 

[kjay]

Do 203's have the "one touch indicators". where if you nudge it you get 4 winks. Ideal for such situations.

Yeah, they do. It's a nice feature.

.

 

[flango]

I do - 2 or 3 flashes. I'm sure that's what I was tought. Can you explain a bit more?

.

It is pretty obvious to other road users that you are going to pass a parked car (rather than run into the back of it). But a driver following you might think you are turning right into a side road if you indicate and try to pass you down your nearside.

 

[flango]

I cant abide people who dont indicate, it drives me absolutely insane when a mini roundabout clogs up all because everyone stops as one person couldnt be ****d to indicate.

I agree but you only need to indicate onto a mini roundabout not off it, or no indicators needed at all if no other vehicle present

 

[Dryce]

In the last point it is not clear if you are talking about overtaking a stationary or moving vehicle, if you are overtaking a stationary vehicle then you should not indicate, if you are overtakng a moving vehicle you should present your vehicle so it can clearly be seen by the vehicle you are wanting to overtake and you should indicate.

Why wouldn't you indicate if manoeuvering to overtake a stationary vehicle?

I always indicate. I'm not arrogant enough to assume that there may be vehicles that I am unaware of - particularly bikes - or that there may be pedestrians who would benefit from the information provided via my signal.