Indicators

[bi0boy]

It's good for you.
Make it automatic.
Take your brain out of the loop.

You shouldn't your brain out of the loop because that encourages you not to be aware.

You should think:

I want to maneuver
Is there anything that might benefit from a signal?
Ok there is a car just there, I will signal.

rather than:

I want to maneuver so I will signal
OMG that came out of nowhere, didn't they see my signal!?

 

[Herbsman.]

If I see a driver who's obviously waiting to turn right but isn't indicating, I make a point of getting in their way.

Completely pointless thing to do, not going to achieve anything rolleyes: @ self).

But I think the inconvenience to them of having to stop for me is adequate payback for their complete fucktarded laziness. how much effort does it take to move your finger a few inches to flick a switch ffs

 

[gentlegreen]

You shouldn't your brain out of the loop because that encourages you not to be aware.

You should think:

I want to maneuver
Is there anything that might benefit from a signal?
Ok there is a car just there, I will signal.

order of magnitude too slow

It's a Zen thing man ....

 

[MikeMcc]

Sometimes indicate, when it's necessary

I was taught not to when it's not, by my instructor

My peeves are people who don't indicate on leaving a roundabout (although not indicating when going straight over a mini one is fine) and people who don't indicate when leaving the motorway, or leave it until the last moment at which point it's completely useless (you are supposed to do it at the 300yd marker)

Thing is, it's possible for you to miss seeing hazards (it happens to all of us at times - not saying it's just you) so I think it's always best to indicate

 

[Herbsman.]

ICB your instructor is an idiot

 

[Pie 1]

Fucking black cabs are the worst offenders iMO. (they probably think it also runs their batteries dry, like they think headlights do, which is why the cunts never turn those on either)

 

[Kanda]

I always indicate, even when I think no-one is around cos someone might be at the end of the day, whether it be a pedestrian, cyclist, whatever.

Don't see any reason not to.

Did someone mention roundabouts earlier?? !!! I fucking hate people that can't do roundabouts, or people that can't handle 2 lane roundabouts!! It's not fucking rocket science!!

(Partly born from the fact I lived in Milton Keynes for 20 odd years )

 

[detective-boy]

When is it not necessary?

When there is anyone who may benefit from it (road user, pedestrian or whatever, in any position, near or far). Or if there is anyone who you cannot see who may benefit from it.

The idea is that indicating everytime regardless of any need encourages people into mindless driving so they don't engage in the observation / thought needed if they habitually only indicate if there is anyone who may benefit.

 

[Herbsman.]

Did someone mention roundabouts earlier?? !!! I fucking hate people that can't do roundabouts, or people that can't handle 2 lane roundabouts!! It's not fucking rocket science!!

Theres a 2-lane roundabout outside my workplace... drivers in the left lane rarely indicate left when they're turning left. I was taught that the left lane is for turning left or going straight ahead, unless someone in front of you (in the left lane) is indicating left, in which case you can use the right hand lane to overtake them and go straight on. Otherwise the right hand lane should only be used for turning right...

Anyway, at this roundabout, if you use the left lane to go straight ahead you end up waiting ages behind a queue of drivers who you think are going straight ahead too. But really they're turning left without indicating. If they had indicated, you could have saved yourself loads of time by overtaking them in the right hand lane...

However, if you decide to use the right hand lane because you know that most of the drivers in the left lane are ignorant fuckers who are turning left but can't be arsed to indicate, you will inevitably be caught out by one of the left-hand-lane drivers who is actually going straight on...

It is a very annoying experience indeed.

Even worse is the junction facing the opposite direction, which has three lanes. Obviously the left one is for left turners, middle for straight ahead and right for turning right. But no, you get fuckwits going straight ahead from both the left and right lanes... Grr

 

[detective-boy]

Take your brain out of the loop.

No. Don't. NOTHING about driving should be automatic. EVERY hazard should be approached in an entirely deliberate way:

1. Select course (into, through and out of hazard)
2. Observation (mirrors); signal (as appropriate); speed (reduce for entry to hazard)
3. Gear (appropriate for hazard)
4. Observation (mirrors); signal (new, repeat or emphasise as appropriate)
5. Horn (if needed in addition to (4) - should not usually be the case if (1) to (4) have been completed competently
6. Accelerate (through and out of the hazard)

If you AUTOMATICALLY indicate, you run the risk of leaving out OBSERVATION. And that is probably even more dangerous.

 

[detective-boy]

I want to maneuver so I will signal
OMG that came out of nowhere, didn't they see my signal!?

Precisely.

* Wishes he had a £1 for eveytime he's heard some fuckwit say "I didn't see them" ... (Of course you fucking didn't! You didn't fucking look, twat!") ... *

 

[Herbsman.]

When there is anyone who may benefit from it (road user, pedestrian or whatever, in any position, near or far). Or if there is anyone who you cannot see who may benefit from it.

The idea is that indicating everytime regardless of any need encourages people into mindless driving so they don't engage in the observation / thought needed if they habitually only indicate if there is anyone who may benefit.

that's bollocks, indicators should always be used just in case you didn't see anyone, for example someone comes up behind you after you checked your mirror but just before you are about to make the turn.

 

[detective-boy]

ICB your instructor is an idiot

Probably not. Probably an advanced driver / driving instructor.

 

[detective-boy]

Thing is, it's possible for you to miss seeing hazards (it happens to all of us at times - not saying it's just you) so I think it's always best to indicate

If you do not KNOW that it is safe to complete a manoeuvre then you are driving without due care and attention if you do. The use of an indicator does not absolve you of that at all.

Fact.

 

[detective-boy]

(Partly born from the fact I lived in Milton Keynes for 20 odd years )

Every year in Milton Keynes is odd ... (every fucking hour in Milton Keynes is odd, to be honest ...) ...

 

[Kanda]

Every year in Milton Keynes is odd ... (every fucking hour in Milton Keynes is odd, to be honest ...) ...

For somewhere with such a clear and easy road system it is amazing how many people really can't drive or navigate around it...

And yeah, v.v.odd

 

[detective-boy]

I was taught that the left lane is for turning left or going straight ahead, unless someone in front of you (in the left lane) is indicating left, in which case you can use the right hand lane to overtake them and go straight on. Otherwise the right hand lane should only be used for turning right...

If you were taught that then your instructor was an idiot.

There is no single design of roundabout and approach which would enable such a hard and fast rule to be stated. Every situation is different and whilst the left lane would be usually appropriate for left turns and the right for right there may well be variations on that and any or all lanes may be appropriate for going straight ahead, depending on traffic conditions as well as design.

You clearly want to live in a world where everything is black and white. If you really do drive in that way, you probably need to consider some advanced driver training.

 

[detective-boy]

that's bollocks, indicators should always be used just in case you didn't see anyone, for example someone comes up behind you after you checked your mirror but just before you are about to make the turn.

No. It isn't. It is recognised and accepted driving (and advanced driving) advice for donkeys years.

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

I agree with you that doing anything unthinkingly whilst driving is not a good idea. However, I think inculcating the habit of a driver indicating as a natural action following on from observation of road conditions is a very good idea. Funnily enough, i also find that the Highway Code makes no mention of your selective signalling strategy:

85: Signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians (see Signals to other road users section), of your intended actions. You should

• give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked it is not misleading to signal at that time
• use them, if necessary, before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off
• cancel them after use
• make sure your signals will not confuse others. If, for instance you want to stop after a side road, do not signal until you are passing the road. If you signal earlier it may give the impression that you intend to turn into the road. Your brake lights will warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down
• use an arm signal to emphasise or reinforce your signal if necessary. Remember that signalling does not give you priority.

 

[Spion]

it would be better if people routinely indicated (after checking their mirrors) rather than routinely didn't, which seems to be the situation you most see on the roads

and motorbikes in particular are fuckers for appearing from nowhere

 

[Idaho]

I don't see a problem with routine indication. The observation, speed and road position are for the brain. The indication isn't really something you need to think about. If you are in any doubt as to whether you need to indicate, you probably haven't observed correctly.

Also it isn't always possible to see a pedestrian waiting just behind a parked car to cross a side street, who can see you, and can see that you haven't indicated, and is about to walk across a road that you haven't indicated that you were about to turn into.

 

[dirtysanta]

Only time I don't indicate is when there's naff all in front or behind me

same here.

 

[chio]

I've just seen someone answer their mobile, pull straight over without indicating and get hit from behind. Silly tosser; hope he gets a big claim landing on his doormat.

 

[gentlegreen]

I didn't actually mean not to use the brain, I guess it's almost impossible to describe something you've been doing for 30 years ... I really meant that it's wasteful of brainpower to decide not to indicate.

If I wasn't doing the observation bit I would be dead by now.

As a cyclist I give very positive hand signals to make it absolutely clear that any cars behind me would have to break my arm to cut me up.

I also give hand signals when I drive my car

 

[J77]

Always indicate -- when I was driving in England, I'd make a special effort of indicating, slowing to a crawl and then maneouvering. Just to piss the idiots in a rush off

And those who say not to when no-ones around, rememebr: God's always watching!

 

[T & P]

and motorbikes in particular are fuckers for appearing from nowhere

Translates as: 'If I decide all of the sudden I can't be bothered to wait to clear the traffic lights ahead I want to just turn right onto a side street and not have to worry about looking in the mirror first for motorbikes overtaking the stationary traffic'.

I've been close a few times to crashing into a car that has suddenly started to turn right in front of me without looking, let alone indicating. One day I will give someone a well deserved slap.

 

[chymaera]

Quote:
"Originally Posted by sojourner
Only time I don't indicate is when there's naff all in front or behind me "


I would love to be able to guarantee that there is never naff all in front or behind me, and the left and right as well.
Which is why I always indicate.

 

[ICB]

what d-b, bi0boy and others have said, it's all about awareness and engaging brain

I, i also find that the Highway Code makes no mention of your selective signalling strategy:

[*]use them, if necessary,

err

 

[obanite]

Translates as: 'If I decide all of the sudden I can't be bothered to wait to clear the traffic lights ahead I want to just turn right onto a side street and not have to worry about looking in the mirror first for motorbikes overtaking the stationary traffic'.

I've been close a few times to crashing into a car that has suddenly started to turn right in front of me without looking, let alone indicating. One day I will give someone a well deserved slap.

Yeah. People coming up the slip road onto the M1 when I commuted to work were terrible for this, it's a 2 lane slip road and often people would start trying to overtake the person in front of them, often without checking mirrors, (weeee I'm on the motorway now I can go fast wow yeah!!!) UP-BLOODY-HILL.

As a motorcyclist I was taught to watch anyone and everyone around me like a hawk for the first sign of even thinking about changing direction...

 

[chymaera]

As a motorcyclist I was taught to watch anyone and everyone around me like a hawk for the first sign of even thinking about changing direction...

As the saying goes:- "Don't be the meat in the sandwich."