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Indicators - the clue is in the name. - Kia Ora

How is it possible to drive across town without making a turn signal. I can't do it for the life of me, yet most other drivers find it real easy. I have tried really hard but still I can't help myself. I just find it impossible not to use my indicators in a timely and correct manner.

Is there something wrong with me? Is my car the only one with indicators installed and working? Maybe my indicating is a kind of motoring Turettes. Do I need indicator management therapy to bring me into line with the majority? I am a freak. A car will fail an MOT for busted indicators so I know they must be important. Help.

Ocasionally I do see a blinker light working on another car and my hopes are raised but immediately dashed. Alas it was a confirmation of the manouvre rather than an alert for a pending manouvre. Still looking on the bright side it was a good attempt by the driver - bless them.

I feel better now.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - RobJP

I am constantly ashamed by my driving. I drive a BMW. Cruise at a max of 75 (on the speedo) on the motorway, leave plenty of space to the car in front, move back to the inside lanes when not overtaking, let people out (usually to their astonishment), indicate, and do my best to be a courteous driver.

I even saw an Audi on the M6 the other day that wasn't within 6 inches of the car in front.

I think I need help

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - concrete

I am constantly ashamed by my driving. I drive a BMW. Cruise at a max of 75 (on the speedo) on the motorway, leave plenty of space to the car in front, move back to the inside lanes when not overtaking, let people out (usually to their astonishment), indicate, and do my best to be a courteous driver.

I even saw an Audi on the M6 the other day that wasn't within 6 inches of the car in front.

I think I need help

Come on Rob, an Audi that is driven with some consideration for the highway code and fellow motorists!!! Even a BMW driver being careful and considerate(present company excepted). How is the medication going?

I think a lie down in a darkened room is called for!!

I think round here in rural Kent, tailgating is taught at primary school onwards.

Cheers Concrete

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - gordonbennet

If it was dark or in bright sunlight it's possible if they were previous model VW/Aldi that the indicators were indeed being used but nigh on invisible, course they arn't alone in siting indicators (which simply must be white/mirrored almost unless lit by sun flashes, handy that, or electric) inside main light clusters.

Seriously though, yes it is annoying when you've, for the hundredth time that day, had to come to an almost complete halt for no reason at all except because incompetents can't be bothered to indicate...up to a point indicating isn't necessary if people use correct positioning so you can work out where they are going but that is also a long lost skill.

Now and again, usually when i'm on the way home from work in my own car after dozens of these people have made my day harder than needed, i'll try equally hard to do as they, nope can't do it, within minutes i'm back to normal and flashing away, ooer missus.

At one time BMW drivers came in for a lot of stick about this type of thing, that is not my experience, in general.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - Brit_in_Germany

I was sat behind a Twingo today which indicated every time the brake lights went on.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - Metropolis.

Play it safe, put the hazards on at all junctions.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - davecooper

A work coleague has recently done a driving course, arranged by the company, for people driving company cars. The instructor told him not to indicate unless it was necessary to inform other road users of your intentions. Now, while I understand that there are times when there is no point indicating, why try to change someone who automatically indicates whether or not it will be of any use to other drivers. Surely too much indicating is better than not enough.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - piggy

When I went on an advanced driving course with the IAM,I was told exactly the same thing. The reasoning behind this advice is to ensure drivers check what is happening around them. Some drivers seem to think that signalling gives them the automatic right to carry out their intended manoeuvre. To my mind there is far too much indicating going on, e.g. when returning to the left hand lane on a dual carriageway after overtaking. Where signalling is important is when traffic density is high,a busy town or in close following traffic.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - concrete

Agree with most comments. Like everything else in life common sense is the key. Use or not use indicators, speed up or slow down, these are all matters of judgement and driving according to the traffic in all prevailing conditions. Unfortunately it cannot be taught only learned from common sense and experience. Years ago my company paid to have many drivers of company cars put through some police training and later a course with the IAM. The police drivers were fascinating and gave us some really good information on managing situations, or preventing them happening. I missed the IAM part being abroad, but within 6 months all the partcipants had a 'ding' of some sort or another. Coincidence said some, others said over confidence. Take your choice.

Cheers Concrete

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - alan1302

Coincidence said some, others said over confidence. Take your choice.

Cheers Concrete

How many 'dings' had they had in the previous 6 months though?

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - barney100

Unfortunately inicators don't always determine where the driver is going, proceed on the evidence of an indicator and and there is an accident it dosen't hold up.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - Farm Hand
I too agree with a lot of the comments posted.

Today I was waiting for a gap in the traffic to pull out left but decided as van was approaching from the right to let him go first, and what does he do? He turns left with no indication, selfish so and so. Then I realised he had run out of hands as he was on his phone. Grrrrrr!

My view is that most experienced drivers know when an indication is needed and is useful to other road (and pavement) users. If I have any doubt, I indicate anyway, it's not difficult is it? - but That presumes the driver is actually concentrating on the process of driving which is not always the case.


I appreciate inexperienced and some younger drivers will not have had enough time to perfect their road craft But I think a lot of drivers should know better. It is also very clear in a lot of instances from their lack of control and road positioning that the driving process is clearly beyond their ability and should get some b***** lessons!
Indicators - the clue is in the name. - Theophilus

Confession time ... my problem is not failing to indicate (I endeavour to do so even when changing lanes on motorway / dual carrigeway, sorry if this causes distress, but I understand is required in France according to their equivalent of the Highway Code, and I travel quite a few km on the continent)

But ... due to increasing age-related hearing loss, and the inaudibility of indicators on modern cars ... I am frequently guilty of failing to cancel my indicator until prompted by SWMBO - apologies to all.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - Bilboman
I have some sympathy for the 'don't indicate to an empty road' argument (akin to waving to an empty room, etc.) as it does force the driver to be more alert and assess whether a driver or pedestrian might just possibly appear from somewhere and 'benefit' from a signal. Lack of signalling when changing lanes is a fining offence in France and Spain but I can't see how this would be enforced if there are no drivers (i.e. witnesses, usually of the uniformed kind!) around - and if there are no other drivers around, it is rarely necessary to change lanes anyway!
I do like the default 'flick for 3 flashes' of indicators on modern cars (I suspect many drivers fail to indicate because it's too much effort to remember to cancel afterwards) but I wonder whether an automatic cut-off, or else an audible warning after say 20 flashes or 20 seconds would also be an improvement.
Indicators - the clue is in the name. - madf

How is it possible to drive across town without making a turn signal

You have tohold the steering wheel to turn. So when you are driving holiding a mobile to your ear in the other hand, you cannot indicate and steer

Simples.

Edited by madf on 08/09/2016 at 07:22

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - Ian D
The trouble with BMWs is that when they were ordered new a lot of people did not specify the 'Optional Indicator Pack' and that is why a lot of them cannot indicate!
Indicators - the clue is in the name. - galileo

One middle aged chap who worked in our office noticed his right hand rear indicator bulb had blown. He drove home by a 5 mile longer route so he didn't have to make any right turns.

Same chap was once pulled over (in the days when there were traffic cops about) and told to go faster, quote, " You are a moving roadblock, speed it up or I'll do you for obstruction".

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - focussed

Also supposed to be a fining offence in France is "not indicating your intended direction correctly".

Anybody who has driven in France will realise that if les flics were to enforce this law and fine the offenders, France's entire national debt could be cleared in six months!

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - slippy118

My dad was a very sedate driver and a guy pulled out in front of him, braked and froze, when Dad indicated too early for the next turn.

At the time of impact Dad was almost stationary -- no damage fortunately.

Indicators should not be relied on. I look at the way the vehicle is shaping up in the road, direction of the wheels, if the bonnet is dipping.

Motorway driving - I wore a stalk out once.

Edited by slippy118 on 09/09/2016 at 14:03

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - Wackyracer

I was on the motorway recently when a BMW drove for 9 miles in the centre lane with it's right hand indicator flashing away. It was quite interesting to see the reactions (or not) of drivers going to pass in the outside lane.

The whole time I was doing the same speed as the BMW in the nearside lane.

Indicators - the clue is in the name. - RaineMan

Currently I find the worse offenders are Audi drivers. And they are the worse tailgaters!

The most dangerous though are people on the school run! They adopt this irritating "I am a parent and me and my child are more important than anything else" attitude. This means that for them the Highway Code does not exist, they pull in and pull out without using either mirrors or indicators, they concentrate on anything (talking with little Tyrone, talking on their mobile, drinking their "To go" coffee, etc) rather than the road and traffic. Driving during the school run is not recommended for those of a nervous disposition!