Always use your indicators!

So agree.
Was waiting to cross the road the other day and an elderly driver turned right, no signal ,in front of me then stopped right in the middle of the junction to let me cross.
I frantically waved her on as she was in such a dangerous position!

A forum recently asked for practical ideas to make the world a better place.
My favourite was that car steering wheels would not turn (obviously enough to turn a corner) unless the indicators had been activated. Genius.

M0nica

A friend said to me when I first learnt to drive' Always indicate, even when there is no one to see them. If you always indicate, you will never not indicate whan you should have'

I have always done as she said.

Exactly what my driving instructor (an ex-police driver) told me many years ago. It just becomes second nature.

I have often commented that new cars seem not to be fitted with indicators or lights, at least in the areas I drive! I followed a car recently who, despite the number of times it was necessary, didn't use the indicators at all. It is also obvious many don't have working lights when it gets quite dark or during heavy rain. Maybe these items come as extras in today's cars!

A fair percentage of drivers seem to consider that indicators are just like Xmas fairy lights: to be used just once a year.

Drivers who use indicators as an optional extra really irritate me, particularly at any kind of roundabout. Just give me a clue! I was very aware when visiting Canada that if you were walking on a pavement and stopped for any reason, the cars on the road immediately also stopped to allow you to cross with no crossing in sight. Goodness knows how they cope if they visit the UK. On the other hand, in large French towns they seem to ignore the lights at panda crossings which appeared to be acceptable.

It's those that indicate after they have turned that annoy me "I have turned left". Too late mate!

Always indicate whether there is anyone there to see it or not.

Today I was driving past a stationary car and a child in the back seat opened their door to get out - I missed it by an inch! Gulp!

About two months ago I had three near misses in one week with drivers not indicating that they were turning. I think it must have been national kill a granny week that week.

The motorist that annoys me is the one that may indicate and expects to move out (or in) almost at the same time eg on a slip road joining carriageway having to get in front even though no traffic at the back or overtaking and jutting in in front. Absolutely no patience.

I too always indicate. It’s routine. I can remember, when learning to drive, the ‘ mirror, signal, manoeuvre ‘ mantra. Now, I can’t believe how many drivers don’t, and, even when some do, it’s as they’re actually turning - too late! They don’t seem to realise the importance of signalling their intentions. I don’t get this reluctance.

I thought the law was changing and now we have to always indicate even if we think there is no-one near. My instructor always asked me "Can you see round corners?"

Nandalot

When I used to drive, I always indicated but I remember clearly being told by the driving instructor when I was indicating with clear road and no pedestrians that I shouldn’t bother. I agree, always indicating is a good habit. (Incidentally, stopped using said instructor after that but mainly because he kept putting his hand on my knee. DH then taught me and I passed my test.)

Your instructor was right. I took an advanced driving course where they actually told us that most of the times we indicate are not necessary. This is largely because a lot of people use the indicator as a "get out of the way, I'm making this manoeuvre regardless" when really they should be waiting

I even do it when I turn into my drive and we live in a cul de sac 😂

Another thing that riles me is drivers who follow about 3 feet behind me. So close! So dangerous! My father taught me to drive and told me to always remember that many in the cemetery had the right of way!

But please use the correct indicator for the direction you wish to head in.

As we headed from the M3 to the M27 today an SSE van was in the lane to the left of us. He pulled forward and indicated left. But veered right and pulled in ahead of us. A few minutes later he indicated right and pulled back to the left hand lane. I can only assume he was either a) hopelessly lost and trying to set his satnav, b) on the booze, c) on the phone and not attending to the road or d) on his way home from a very late night and half asleep. We increased speed at the first opportunity and pulled as far away from him as possible as the roads were getting busy and he was an accident waiting to happen.

In Lymington this afternoon I watched someone drive straight through a red light at a pelican crossing. Obviously decided as no one was waiting the red light didn't count.

Janeea - I do too 😂

I remember my instructor telling me I should only indicate if there was someone to indicate to. He said it would show the examiner that I was aware of what was happening around me. Now my van driver son keeps me indicating.

SueEH

A forum recently asked for practical ideas to make the world a better place.
My favourite was that car steering wheels would not turn (obviously enough to turn a corner) unless the indicators had been activated. Genius.

That’s a terrible idea. So you’re on a straight road, a child runs in front of you and you can’t swerve out of the way unless you first indicate.

I attended an advanced drivers course sme years ago and I was taught to 'indicate if necessary'.
'If necessary' means that you have looked every time and are not just signalling out of habit without having checked.
Obviously with the 'lane assist' function for safety I signal if crossing a line to avoid that tug on the wheel but again this means I am aware of mysurroundings.

MickyD

SueEH

A forum recently asked for practical ideas to make the world a better place.
My favourite was that car steering wheels would not turn (obviously enough to turn a corner) unless the indicators had been activated. Genius.

That’s a terrible idea. So you’re on a straight road, a child runs in front of you and you can’t swerve out of the way unless you first indicate.

“Lane assist” in my experience does not stop your wheel turning but makes a noise to alert you to your movement, so swerving is possible.
I do have more trouble with potholes however.

I was taught to always indicate, even if I was alone on a road at 3 in the morning. Non-indication is maddening, as is the current - it seems to me - habit of drivers clinging to my bumper. Now I'm not a slow or hesitant driver, as my husband would all too readily confirm, so it surely isn't that I'm not driving fast enough. I'd love all cars to be made with an automatic sign in the rear window that flashes up when other drivers get too close (husband says the words I want to use are probably not a good idea though).

My grandson has just passed his driving test at 17. I have told him "Always indicate, never tailgate" which hopefully will stand him in good stead.

I would endorse that advice and add 'always [try to] cancel the signal before the self-cancelling mechanism does it for you. There is a notorious roundabout near here which because the approach from one of the three roads leading on to it is curved to the left right up to the roundabout having just left a larger roundabout, drivers who do not cancel their left indicator after leaving the larger, previous roundabout at the beginning of the left hand bend, appear to others waiting to join from exit No.1 to be signalling to leave at the No.1 exit. If they haven't cancelled their left signal manually, the curve in the road doesn't activate the self-cancelling system. many a side impact happens there because of this. Sorry if that's confusing but I haven't the opportunity to draw a sketch.

SueDoku

M0nica

A friend said to me when I first learnt to drive' Always indicate, even when there is no one to see them. If you always indicate, you will never not indicate whan you should have'

I have always done as she said.

Exactly what my driving instructor (an ex-police driver) told me many years ago. It just becomes second nature.

I was taught by an advanced police driver who told me that to indicate when there is no one there shows I’m not observing the road and surroundings properly!