Is it just me, or is indicating going out of fashion?

zagfles

alastairq wrote: »

As a novice, even more so..inexperience means, observation skills aren't as keenly developed as those of an advanced, experienced driver.

Cat B driver instructors are fully aware of this, and instruction is gauged accordingly.

However, the point I want to make is, not to pass judgement, or criticise other drivers, for not doing what WE would do, in the situation as we perceive it.

They may be equally as 'correct', in doing the opposite to us!

It's a 'horses-for-courses' thing.

With regards to the rest of your example? How do you think bus drivers cope?

They cannot drive around stamping on the brakes all the time.....throwing a passenger is as bad as running someone over!

Well obviously they don't drive such that they have to slam their brakes on all the time, but occasionally something completely unexpected will happen and they will have to.

Just like the cyclist who came haring out of the alleyway by the Y junction, no way I could have predicted that, I had no time to react, he obviously realised he was approching a junction and would have to take appropriate action depending on what cars were doing, he saw me indicating and so went round the back of me. If I hadn't been indicating he may have gone straight across my path, I was doing about 30mph.

I am very glad I was indicating despite there being no-one around when I put my indicator on.

iolanthe07

This thread makes me feel really old. When I took my test I had to stick my arm out of the window to turn right, wave it round in circles to turn left, and flap it up and down when I was braking. The indicator on my 1953 Morris Minor was a dimly lit semaphore arm.

aileth

We have the opposite problem around here, people who indicate and then don't turn the indication off, which is 10 times more confusing than actually not indicating!

PDC

the_r_sole wrote: »

yup, this annoys the **** out of me!! nothing worse than sitting at a roundabout and no one indicates coming off so you have to wait for ages...

As a pedestrian trying to cross the roundabout it annoys the **** out of me too. Number of near misses I've had because people are not indicating and/or in the wrong lane to begin with.

almillar

alistairq

SO, do you indicate when it is un-necessary? [Simply because 'you were taught to?']

Because after 6 years of holding a licence, you really should be at quite an advanced level of skill as a driver....and by now should be looking to see if ''anybody actually needs to know'' what you intend to do?

I don't like this. They argue about it in the IAM all the time. Only indicating if necessary (look around and if no-one is there, don't indicate) is meant to make you be in a habit of looking around more and know what's going on around you instead of just 'blindly flicking the indicator all the time'.
I'd prefer if everyone did just indicate all the time, every time. Indicating needs to be automatic with most people, because they aren't concentrating and doing all that extra observing that advanced drivers do (that, really, everyone should be doing anyway). And of course, what if someone turns up when you're mid manouvre, and you haven't been indicating. Oh, the shame! You'll have to rush to indicate, and that would be bad driving.

As for people progressing little since passing their test- sometimes I don't think that's too bad a thing. They're short on practice and skill, sure, but they're also short on bad attitude, bad habits and laziness that people have after driving for a while. Please, please don't expect 'Roadcraft' driving from every driver, you'll be sorely disappointed!

Some people have made the excellent point that you indicate for 'road users'. That's not 'cars and lorries' it's everyone on the road, including the pavement. If you don't indicate to me you're turning into a side road, I will walk across it in front of you...

I also see plenty of indicators from taxi drivers BTW. They turn ALL of them on which allows them to stop wherever they like! (see also vans)

TrickyWicky

alastairq wrote: »

The symptoms of a driver who has progressed little from the day they passed their test?

I would expect a better understanding of the principles your instructor taught you....especially after 6 years of 'holding' a licence?

You have built your opinion of how to conduct yourself on the roads, based on limited training for licence acquisition.....! You are full of misinterpretation and misunderstanding!

You are not alone!

However, carry on as you are.....but don't dare to criticise those on the roads who have bothered to educate themselves about driving, further than that needed to pass the test.

Pop into WH Smith,and buy yourself 'Roadcraft', to get a better understanding of all the aspects of driving ?

Seriously mate get a grip.

Like I said previously you've no clue about my driving style at all yet you think you know exactly how I drive? :rotfl: Get real you muppet.

Cycrow

one of the big problems i find is that most drivers will only indicate if there are other cars about.

but ignore the fact that there are pedestrians or cyclists around that are relying on the indicators as well.

The worst is when they indicate then go in a different direction

jase1

Cycrow wrote: »

one of the big problems i find is that most drivers will only indicate if there are other cars about.

but ignore the fact that there are pedestrians or cyclists around that are relying on the indicators as well.

The worst is when they indicate then go in a different direction

I implement the IAM's recommendation -- with one exception.

I make a conscious decision not to indicate, rather than a conscious decision to do so.

So, if I'm not sure, on go the flashers. Which means they're used most of the time, unless I'm approaching some country junction where I can see for yards around and there are no other cars, bikes etc.

Gloomendoom

jase1 wrote: »

I implement the IAM's recommendation -- with one exception.

I make a conscious decision not to indicate, rather than a conscious decision to do so.

So, if I'm not sure, on go the flashers. Which means they're used most of the time, unless I'm approaching some country junction where I can see for yards around and there are no other cars, bikes etc.

What about pedestrians?

---lee---

Marauder999 wrote: »

This is one of my pet hates :mad:
I am a regular cyclist and I always see cars that pass me who haven't indicated and have other cars behind them. I often think the car behind might not see me or the manoeuvre of the car in front and drive into the back of me.

I would indicate to move out to pass you in good time, but by the time I would have reached you, I would cancel my indicator. You would only be able to tell I was indicating if you were using mirrors?

I too have noticed that those who benefit from the indication behind me, act on it but then fail to pass it on to those following. Negligent IMO.