why dont people indicate anymore

[andy_k]

perhaps they are trying to save electricity

Another vote for always indicating.

andy

 

[DITTRICH]

There is a roundabout (a little one) on the isle of dogs which leads to a blue lifting bridge (for those who know the area). 90% of the cars coming from the bridge to the roundabout are going to turn right, yet only about 50% indicate. I often go in the opposite direction and trying to tell whether the cars are going to turn or not is a real pain resulting in lots of missed opportunities for getting across the roundabout. I often wait for a driver to indicate left well in advance, as I know (s)he's being considerate and there will be a space for me to use.

So always indicate, even if there's no-one there. It has to be a habit.

Rgds

Les

 

[Mambo]

There is a roundabout (a little one) on the isle of dogs which leads to a blue lifting bridge (for those who know the area). 90% of the cars coming from the bridge to the roundabout are going to turn right, yet only about 50% indicate. I often go in the opposite direction and trying to tell whether the cars are going to turn or not is a real pain resulting in lots of missed opportunities for getting across the roundabout. I often wait for a driver to indicate left well in advance, as I know (s)he's being considerate and there will be a space for me to use.

So always indicate, even if there's no-one there. It has to be a habit.

Rgds

Les

I know that roundabout all too well, I used to work on Marsh Wall a couple of years ago, I used to indicate everytime by the way . On the few occasions when I was headed straight over the round about coming from Island Gardens it was like Russian Roulette!

 

[nigel cross]

My 2 pets hates are:-
1) Stationary at traffic lights behind a car in the right lane
You want to go straight ahead, just as the lights change to green, the doughnut in front puts his right indicator on AAArgh.
2) Driving on a dual carriage way turning left long queue ahead of me as a busy exit along comes boy racer with a set of magic indicators which enable him to push into front of queue, even though he could have slowed down and gone behind me.

 

[Bad Bee]

I too have to agree.. always indicate, even if it completely obvious. Using your indicators is not intended just for other motorists, but also pedestrian and cyclist and any other road/pavement users as well.

 

[C43AMG]

My 2 pets hates are:-
1) Stationary at traffic lights behind a car in the right lane
You want to go straight ahead, just as the lights change to green, the doughnut in front puts his right indicator on AAArgh.
2) Driving on a dual carriage way turning left long queue ahead of me as a busy exit along comes boy racer with a set of magic indicators which enable him to push into front of queue, even though he could have slowed down and gone behind me.

Yep.

 

[DieselE]

Seems to me there are certain areas where many people habitually do not indicate. Bracknell is one and Milton Keynes another.

I'd like to add anywhere near the NEC when there's a show on. It's almost always accompanied by late decisions on exiting from roundabouts, changing lanes etc. Especially bad at weekends.

By the way with reference to the off-duty police driver and signalling at roundabouts Rule 162 of the Highway Code (obviously excluded from police reading lists. ) covers all options. For going right round it says:

"When taking the last exit or going full circle, signal right and approach in the right hand lane. Keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout. Signal left after passing the exit before the one you want."

Mind you the version I have was printed in 2003. The words not applicable to police officers probably feature in a later edition!

I don't claim to be totally sad. I've not read the whole book since passing my test. My last company handed them out when they sent us on a "Defensive Driving" course and it's useful for posts like this one.

 

[Rose Chap]

Agree with you about the Highway code Dieselman!

I think a copy of the highway code should be sent out with every Road Tax reminder notice. Sure it would add costs but its not like the motorist contributes nothing to the economy and the benefits to safety could be considerable. My two pence anyway.

 

[didgit]

I too have to agree.. always indicate, even if it completely obvious. Using your indicators is not intended just for other motorists, but also pedestrian and cyclist and any other road/pavement users as well.
__________________
I totally agree with the above statement, i also think that indicating your intensions makes you a little safer as boy racers oaps and the like get some idea of what to do.
i have also seen alot of driving instuctors whom should be setting example if not advertising for buisness that are appaling drivers when alone.
hope ive not offended anyone

 

[PJH]

...., it was one of those mini roundabouts he did not indicate so i assumed he was going straight on, he was not he was going back the way he had come, i had to break hard to stop hitting him.
I followed him and when we got to the traffic lights i asked him why he did not indicate, he said he was a policeman and indicating on a roundabout is not obligatory,....

Highway Code rule #164 Beware of vehicles making U turns.

It may not be compulsory to indicate but it IS advisable.

I think it was just bloody-mindedness of the policeman.

Edit:- only info I can find on NOT signalling is when there is no other traffic to see the signal.

 

[splang]

I'm currently learning to fly and in FFR (free flight regions) you do not need to contact anyone on the radio and you do not need to use any kind of traffic advisory service - but guess what - I do!! All help is welcome...

Obviously this relates to cars also - communication is key to avoiding problems (make that - GOOD communication!!).

(and if you collide in a plane you can't get out to swap details...)

Steve

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Another vote for always indicating, IMO it should be automatic rather than having to think about each time whether you're going to or not.

Best to only indicate when it will benefit another road user. The rationale being that to know if there is anyone to whom the signal would be beneficial, you first have to check. Which makes you more observant of your surroundings.

 

[splang]

I do understand what you are saying Parrot but what if (and I know it is hypothetical) you haven't noticed someone and then think ah - no point indicating - there is no-one around etc. etc..

Splang the argumentative


(copied this from glojo )

 

[guydewdney]

I DO indicate most of the time - especially on roundabouts (unless going straight on - and then indicate left after passing the preceeding exit...)

I was also test driving that car, so wasnt really thinking about the road, more about wether or not it squeeked... (yeah, I know I shouldnt, but hey, we all have bad days)

My point wasnt that I dont have to indicate, more that people should look beyond the ind. and look at the car / posistion. Also that peeps ind. at pointless times, etc etc. I dont understand why people ind. in the middle of nowhere at 3am, with no otehr traffic.

I think my 'non indicating' trait may come from the first 5 years of my motoring life, where all I had were small bikes, none of which had indicators. So instead, I had to posistion myself as part of the 'indicating' process (as most car drivers dont seem to notice hand signals!)

yeah - OK - I'll promise to indicater in my new monster truck

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I do understand what you are saying Parrot but what if (and I know it is hypothetical) you haven't noticed someone and then think ah - no point indicating - there is no-one around etc. etc..

Splang the argumentative


(copied this from glojo )

But I do notice people. I don't have blind spots on my car, because I turn my head to look - always - when changing lanes. Even when I do a left turn into a junction, I always check my door mirrors beforehand to make sure no cyclists are there.

Rather than indicating as a habit, just try observation as a habit - its much safer believe me I'm not having a go, just a suggestion and I appreciate you understand my rationale.

 

[stats007]

I don't have blind spots on my car

How's that then? No A, B or C pillars? Do you drive the Popemobile?

 

[Shude]

I was waiting to turn left at a road-end, there was a micra slowly driving down the road, coming from the right, indicating to turn left into the road I was on.

I set off, assuming he was going to turn. I looked in my mirror and I had a micra glued to my bumper with an old man glaring at me from behind the wheel, still indicating left! I wonder how long he'd been indicating for...

This is in complete reverse to a problem I have every morning where nearly everyone turns left into the road I'm on while I'm waiting to turn left out of it, no-one bothers to indicate so I sit there for ages watching cars turn when I could have pulled out. Of course it's sod's law that if I do eventually take the risk and pull out the person currently approaching the junction is the 1 out of 50 that was going straight on.

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

ssshhh - i dont indicate when i'm the only one on the motorway. sometimes i take the racing line! eek! ssshhh keep schtum...

 

[IanA2]

I learned a lot of my driving by watching my father drive (he never passed a test, having been given a military ticket in WWII). I once asked him why he always indicated even though there might be no-one behind. Ah he said, but there might be someone who you have not seen.......

 

[Mambo]

ssshhh - i dont indicate when i'm the only one on the motorway. sometimes i take the racing line! eek! ssshhh keep schtum...

LOL

Me too, shhhhh