Indicators do you use them or not?

[CE230]

Then there are the lights high up in the C pillar that blind you when you're behind them. The indicators at the front you can't see because they are embedded into a cluster with Xenon headlamps. The right indicator left on as the car leaves the traffic island.

The parked and unattended car with one headlamp showing, is it just that or a motorcycle coming towards you?

 

[flango]

How about a few definitions?

A "trafficator" is... A device used on a vehicle to show change of direction

An "indicator" is... A guide to someone or somethings performance

A "flasher" is... A man called Billy with no buttons on his raincoat

and for any USA readers,

A turn signal is... A hand gesture made by a skateboarding Chav

 

[popuptoaster]

I used to convert my track day sierras to switchable ABS as it slows your laps down on the track where you dont mind one locked wheel on a corner in the dry but i prefer to have it there for driving to the track or on a wet track (i'm not a race driver so i like it when the going is slippy) early Ford ABS is basic, but it does allow you to steer and can pull you up shorter than a novice driver stamping on the brakes, in a straight line in the dry i can stop as fast in the sierra as the ABS can stop me, the smaller escorts ABS was mechanical not electronic and only worked on the front wheels, the rear wheels were linked in to the opposite front wheel by the brake lines so they pulsed at the same time, that system was n't much good at pulling you up short but it did allow direction control.

 

[gina2201]

Indicators do you use them or not?

Yes, contrary to popular belief you don't get charged according to how many times you use them!

 

[normanr]

Just read the highway code it tells you when they should be used if you took a test and did not use them when the highway code says you would fail.
If you look at the drivers that don't use them you will see they don't even look in there mirrors to see what is behind indicators are put on the cars to use not to make them look smart.
Now wait for the comments about after you pass your test there are a lot of things you don't do that is in the highway code

 

[flango]

Just read the highway code it tells you when they should be used if you took a test and did not use them when the highway code says you would fail.
If you look at the drivers that don't use them you will see they don't even look in there mirrors to see what is behind indicators are put on the cars to use not to make them look smart.
Now wait for the comments about after you pass your test there are a lot of things you don't do that is in the highway code

See posts 39 & 58

 

[normanr]

See posts 39 & 58

Yes point taken I did not read them all but I think what most people are on about is the motorists that can;t be bothered to indicate at junctions and roundabouts etc. to let us know which way they intend going just b----y lazy.

 

[Meldrew2]

Indicators....... exactly what are they? As an ex-van driver, they are something I don't think I have ever heard of......

Surely (at least from a white van) the Highway Code says M - M...... Manouever, then Mirror. As described here.....

1. Pull out.

2. Hear screech of brakes, horn, etc.

3. Look to see who you pulled out on.

4. Keep score.... car, 2 points. truck, 2 points. taxi, 2 points. BMW 1000 points.

5. Using fingers of right hand, indicate to the other motorist how many points you scored

(an up and down motion of the cupped hand can be used to indicate 1000 points)

 

[st4]

Indicators....... exactly what are they? As an ex-van driver, they are something I don't think I have ever heard of......

Surely (at least from a white van) the Highway Code says M - M...... Manouever, then Mirror. As described here.....

1. Pull out.

2. Hear screech of brakes, horn, etc.

3. Look to see who you pulled out on.

4. Keep score.... car, 2 points. truck, 2 points. taxi, 2 points. BMW 1000 points.

5. Using fingers of right hand, indicate to the other motorist how many points you scored

(an up and down motion of the cupped hand can be used to indicate 1000 points)

Were you a cabbie also? To perfect that needs more than just van driving.

 

[280gee]

An "indicator" is... A guide to someone or somethings performance

As in.. I've put my flasher on now watch dis!

{joins motorway from slip road accelerating across all three crowded lanes}

 

[trapperjohn]

Ive been using my indicators on and off for many years now!

 

[carat 3.6]

Posted on the wrong forum I think???

 

[SmoothHound]

I always use indicators, even when joining the motorway. I drive on motorways 5 hours a day, never had anyone not let me out. I also don't assume I have the right of way when I have the indicators on, I indicate when pulling out in the right hand lane and do not understand other drivers who do not? Even when its assumed clear

I've seen quite a few accidents where a person in the fast lane moves over to the middle lane without indicating, then the guy from the slow lane pulls out without indicating since he/she thinks the guy in the fast lane will stay in the fast lane. Its safer to indicate incase you don't see other road users.

Another instance is if there is a stationary vehicle which causes me to go onto the otherside of the road, I indicate incase any biker decides its a great time to overtake while I do this.

Indicate, but at least put a bit of thought into it.

 

[Hi-Ho Silver]

Choose whether or not to indicate. If another person will benefit from receiving this information, then indicate. If nobody is around, don't. To indicate through habit is like walking around constantly waving, just in case you see someone you know.

To further conscious driving, in preference to the 'i've always done it this way but no idea of why', waiting at a junction with indicators blinking and your foot on the brake will not benefit other road users, unless they really enjoy blinking amber lights and constant red ones. Once the lights change from Red, indicate again before moving off.

 

[Dieselman]

waiting at a junction with indicators blinking and your foot on the brake will not benefit other road users, unless they really enjoy blinking amber lights and constant red ones. Once the lights change from Red, indicate again before moving off.

That's really annoying if you come behind someone at the lights on a two lane carriageway, expecting them to go straight on then when the lights change they indicate and block the lane for an age.

The name indicator is exactly what it should be used for, to indicate your intentions.

 

[renault12ts]

^ A pet hate of mine. Someone waiting at the lights and as they change they indicate right...I would have chosen the other lane if you hadn't been so ignorant.

 

[AlastairM]

Choose whether or not to indicate. If another person will benefit from receiving this information, then indicate. If nobody is around, don't. To indicate through habit is like walking around constantly waving, just in case you see someone you know.

Personally, I disagree with this. The person you most want to be aware of your actions is the person you haven't seen - and I'm not so perfect a driver as to be able to claim I've never failed to see another road user.

 

[DITTRICH]

+1 Indicators are for the road users you see and those you don't see

 

[KillerHERTZ]

I agree, just because it appears that noone else is around doesnt always mean someone could have escaped your vision.

What about non road users who may step out into the road thinking that your not turning for example?

Every morning on the way to work (cycling) I have to cycled 'over' the round about straight on, as im on the left of the road I always signal right so people know im not turning left. this makes no difference at least once a week a car turns left off the roadabout straignt into my path even though im signally right, almost knocking me off.

 

[tom181]

I agree - so many people seem reluctant to use indicators