Why don't you indicate?

David_Aston

Cracking thread. I do use indicators at all appropriate times, except when actually driving my car of course.

Nasqueron

Mercdriver wrote: »

You do realise that you can also use a bus lane in ANY vehicle outside of its hours of operations as well? Also as stated, other vehicles are authorised to use a bus lane even during its hours of operation - cycles, taxis and in some areas like Bristol and London, motorcycles.

Yes but not all bus lanes are like that, plenty in London are bus only 24/7, so for a road with that sort of lane, with a bus that is going straight on, indicating is a needless distraction. Similarly during the hours of bus lane operation

Nasqueron

Joe_Horner wrote: »

You can reiterate that as often as you like, it makes no difference.

Other road users may use that bus lane - typically cyclists, often taxis, sometimes motorcycles, and certainly other busses. In addition, any pedestrian looking to cross (including passengers off the bus) might choose to cross in front. they probably shouldn't, but they might.

So, that's a shitload of road users who might benefit from an indication that he's about to start moving, even in the situation described , weighed against your (and only your) inability to cope without confusion and panic at his little flashing light.

And if you bother to read my post earlier, I made that exact point already, well done for simply repeating what I already said.

Nasqueron

Deastons wrote: »

Do I "keep quoting"?

And if you think he shouldn't be teaching, I'll gladly pass you his details so you can go and inform him what he's doing wrong (because I assume you're a professional instructor or examiner yourself).

You don't need to give any details, simply point him to the highway code where the rules of the road specifically say he is wrong. A driving instructor isn't somehow immune to getting stuff wrong just because of their status.

Rule 163 makes it perfectly clear -

mirrors - signal - manoeuvre

jk0

It does annoy me that most people fail to signal left when leaving a roundabout I'm about to join. In view of this, I always lower my window on approach. Then when they don't indicate, I sarcastically extend my hand with palm up, as if to say: 'Did you want to go in front of me?'

Most of them get the point.

Car_54

Nasqueron wrote: »

Yes but not all bus lanes are like that, plenty in London are bus only 24/7, so for a road with that sort of lane, with a bus that is going straight on, indicating is a needless distraction. Similarly during the hours of bus lane operation

But as Joe Horner has pointed out, pedestrians may benefit from a signal. Plenty of those in London too.

MilduraS

Indicating is the biggest debate in my household. I constantly ask my partner to indicate when he's driving. He was taught, like some others on here, that if there is only one way to go (i.e. in a lane that only turns left) then he shouldn't indicate because his intentions should be clear to other motorists. He argues that indicating might confuse motorists but I disagree. I've only recently started driving and if anything, I over indicate. As a life long pedestrian I didn't learn to read road markings until I learned to drive and instead I relied on those bright orange flashing lights to instantly warn me that a car is heading in my direction. Standing on the side of the road trying to figure out whether a particular lane is for turning left/right only or to go left/right isn't something non-drivers learn.

It takes so little effort to indicate that I do it religiously regardless of whether there is anyone else around. If it stops me hitting that one pedestrian I didn't see waiting to cross the road in the dark then it will have been worth it.

Car_54

MilduraS wrote: »

Indicating is the biggest debate in my household. I constantly ask my partner to indicate when he's driving. He was taught, like some others on here, that if there is only one way to go (i.e. in a lane that only turns left) then he shouldn't indicate because his intentions should be clear to other motorists.

He was mis-taught , or perhaps he mis-remembers. Signals or not just for motorists, but for all road users, including pedestrians and guide dogs.

House_Martin

MalMonroe wrote: »

I must live in a really great part of the UK then because we all indicate and most motorists here are really considerate. When I get out of my own city I notice that there are a lot of tailgaters and more rude drivers but then I just go slower and they don't like it. But I don't care!

I do the same.The worst are the Audi/BMW drivers who roar up to the usual Audi distance of a foot from your rear then flash meaning , "get out of my way you old git " .
That signals me to start a very gradual slowing down and being even more careful. .
As for indicating, Isn t it classified by the Traffic Officers as dangerous driving if you do not indicate when turning left or right /
I have a video of the traffic police booking a driver for failing to indicate turning left

Mr.Generous

If I change my car for a BMW do I get any lessons to help me get out of the bad habit of indicating my intentions?