Not Using your indicators?

Gloomendoom

About ten years ago I remember a newspaper columnist ranting about the increasing numbers of motorway drivers who were only giving three flashes with their indicators before changing lanes.

Now with the motorways full of inconsiderate morons who don't indicate at all before changing lanes, he's probably had a brain haemorrhage!

DaveF327

Strider590 wrote: »

I crossed a road near work last week, as BMW X5 was doing just that, she even had the nerve to beep me for daring to be on her road :mad:

alanrowell

Strider590 wrote: »

I won't indicate if nobody is within range to be affected by my maneuver, or where indication could lead to confusion.

Just because you think no-one can see you, doesn't mean there isn't someone just outside of your eye-line or in your blind spot who can see you and makes a decision based on your lack of signalling

So as a rule you should always use your indicators even if you think no-one can see you.

My niece in the Leicestershire force has a name for people like you - "The Accused".

DaveF327

alanrowell wrote: »

Just because you think no-one can see you, doesn't mean there isn't someone just outside of your eye-line or in your blind spot who can see you and makes a decision based on your lack of signalling

So as a rule you should always use your indicators even if you think no-one can see you.

The point the OP raises is not so much people's conscious decisions whether to signal or not (incidentally, this has been debated to death on another thread), but rather that people just don't signal and don't care.

GillM

What annoys me almost more than those who don't indicate are those who perform the manoeuvre then indicate! They don't seem to have grasped that indicating is the way of telling someone what you are about to do, not announcing that you've done it!

Btw when I did my advanced driving course I was told that you should only indicate when there is another driver who would benefit. The idea was that many drivers indicate automatically without actually checking their mirrors for other traffic, so this would force you to check, and you are actually marked down for unnecessary indicating. I argued that there might be a pedestrian or a car in a side street out of my sight line who might benefit, but was told if I couldn't see them they couldn't see me (!!) so I shouldn't do it. I failed my advanced test. :mad:

bengalknights

Im pretty sure most people not indicating are actually trying to get to make you drive into the back of them for a nice insurance pay day

Rolandtheroadie

I keep meaning to wave someone down and tell them their indicators dont work.
That aside, build a bridge, get over it.
Theres a lot poorer driving out there than people not indicating.
As a natural (no advanced training, no additional licences, just a really good driver:D) it helps develop the sixth sense required to avoid ALL poor drivers, not just those that dont indicate.

mikey72

GillM wrote: »

What annoys me almost more than those who don't indicate are those who perform the manoeuvre then indicate! They don't seem to have grasped that indicating is the way of telling someone what you are about to do, not announcing that you've done it!

Btw when I did my advanced driving course I was told that you should only indicate when there is another driver who would benefit. The idea was that many drivers indicate automatically without actually checking their mirrors for other traffic, so this would force you to check, and you are actually marked down for unnecessary indicating. I argued that there might be a pedestrian or a car in a side street out of my sight line who might benefit, but was told if I couldn't see them they couldn't see me (!!) so I shouldn't do it. I failed my advanced test. :mad:

I had that response too.
I think it comes from the fact advanced drivers know they are perfect, and couldn't miss seeing anything.
I come from the other viewpoint, and think I should cover the fact I may not have seen absolutely everything, and allow for that.
I indicate as well, even if I don't have anyone to see it.

bartman

I agree with GillM, there really is no point in turning on the indicator just as you perform the manoeuvre, it's not an indication it's a statement of fact! In fact, it could be said to be worse than somebody who has "forgotten" to indicate - these people have thought about it and decided to do it when it's too late to be of any use!
The other one that annoys me at the moment is a fad for indicating right when going straight on at roundabouts. What planet do they live on? I've seen a couple of pedestrians nearly wiped out by these clowns!

Glitzkiss

alanrowell wrote: »

Just because you think no-one can see you, doesn't mean there isn't someone just outside of your eye-line or in your blind spot who can see you and makes a decision based on your lack of signalling

So as a rule you should always use your indicators even if you think no-one can see you.

My niece in the Leicestershire force has a name for people like you - "The Accused".

I disagree. Using indicators out of habit shows a lack of awareness of your surroundings. I drive mostly on unclassified roads and avoid rush hour whenever possible. Thus I very rarely indicate unless there is someone else on the road at the same time as me. It's different when I reach urban areas of course but as it's Aberdeen city/shire it's lawless anyway :mad::D In which case I'm happy to stand out from the crowd by letting other motorists and pedestrians know in advance where I wish to go.

Of course I make mistakes like everyone else but I do try and tailor my driving for my surroundings. The middle of nowhere with no one else around - I probably won't indicate. In traffic and where pedestrians are present - yes.

Perhaps your niece should go on the Aberdeen force's advanced driving course as I know they advocate being aware of your local surroundings and driving accordingly :D