Indicators

[marty21]

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...

it's the same when you drive in hackney, you just learn to assume that the person in front may do something stupid

 

[Cobbles]

loads of mad uns on motorways seem unable to flick the indicator

I always use my indicators, especially when changing lane on the motorway - it tends to remind the dozy pillocks in front that lanes on the right are for overtaking, not cruising along at 57mph. It's much more effective than flashing headlights.

 

[ice-is-forming]

I rarely indicate on motorways mostly because I can't overtake on motorways (actually I rarely get up enough speed to overtake anything at all unless its a milkfloat).

HA i have traded in my landy for something newer AND i can overtake the novelty...i tell yer !!

i always check in my mirror and indicate and even look over my shoulder , even on dirt roads...i think its from riding motor bikes .. think once, think twice, think bike...

 

[detective-boy]

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.

Apart from that bit, you mean? (ETA: Sorry, ICB. You beat me to it! (But mine's more colourful!))

And since when did the Highway Code claim to be the bible of Advanced Driving techniques anyway?

 

[detective-boy]

and motorbikes in particular are fuckers for appearing from nowhere

Which often happens because people don't use mirrors enough (i.e. they don't use them at all until they want to do something). If you are driving competently there is no way anything should "appear from nowhere" ...unless it drops out of the sky.

 

[detective-boy]

pull straight over without indicating and get hit from behind.

* Waits for someone to appear and claim that it is "the law" that if you are hit from behind it is never your fault ... *

 

[detective-boy]

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.

As I said earlier, if you EVER make a manoeuvre without guaranteeing that there is no-one in the way (whichever direction that may be), then you are driving without due care and attention.

 

[detective-boy]

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...

And how fucking often do you know they're going to do something before they consciously do ...

 

[detective-boy]

and even look over my shoulder

Excellent advice in anything which has a blind spot ... so anything really! Particularly important when lanes are merging at speed (e.g. from a slip road onto a dual carriageway or motorway). It is VERY easy for something to be in your blind spot for ages as it is likely to be travelling at about the same speed as you.

 

[Dhimmi]

One of Alan Clark's favourite viz moments.

"Taxi drivers do other drivers a favour. Use your indicators and give us a fucking clue where you're going."

 

[gentlegreen]

I just cycled home and noticed I didn't give a hand signal at every turn !

 

[sojourner]

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.

You know those viscous orbs just under your forehead? they're called eyes

I find them really useful for guaranteeing there's nothing in front or behind me

 

[sojourner]

I had to do a quick swerve tonight cos some fucking IDIOT pulled out from his parking space without indicating or looking

 

[trashpony]

I can't believe I forgot to mention the thing that irritates me most of all. There are two lanes at the traffic lights which are red. You pull up behind the car in the right hand lane as there is a huge fuck off truck in the left one. The lights turn green. The person driving the car in front then decides to let you know that they are turning right.

 

[bi0boy]

Excellent advice in anything which has a blind spot ... so anything really! Particularly important when lanes are merging at speed (e.g. from a slip road onto a dual carriageway or motorway). It is VERY easy for something to be in your blind spot for ages as it is likely to be travelling at about the same speed as you.

Also very important when changing lanes on the motorway to avoid the disastrous 'inside and outside both moving into the middle at the same time' thing, where lack of signalling can also cause big problems.

 

[gentlegreen]

I can't believe I forgot to mention the thing that irritates me most of all. There are two lanes at the traffic lights which are red. You pull up behind the car in the right hand lane as there is a huge fuck off truck in the left one. The lights turn green. The person driving the car in front then decides to let you know that they are turning right.

So you assumed the car in the right hand lane had the same idea you had ?

Was the truck indicating left ?

 

[trashpony]

So you assumed the car in the right hand lane had the same idea you had ?

Was the truck indicating left ?

Well I assume that people are going straight on if they're not indicating. Is that wrong?

 

[bi0boy]

I can't believe I forgot to mention the thing that irritates me most of all. There are two lanes at the traffic lights which are red. You pull up behind the car in the right hand lane as there is a huge fuck off truck in the left one. The lights turn green. The person driving the car in front then decides to let you know that they are turning right.

I do that sometimes. I presume you know which direction I am turning from the lane markings (unless they are ambiguous when I would signal). The signal is for the benefit of pedestrians who might not have a clue, so I might not use it until I start to move.

What is more annoying at night is someone who is sitting in front of you at the lights, with their mega-bright indicator flashing away in your face for no reason whatsoever.

 

[trashpony]

I do that sometimes. I presume you know which direction I am turning from the lane markings (unless they are ambiguous when I would signal). The signal is for the benefit of pedestrians who might not have a clue, so I might not use it until I start to move.

What is more annoying at night is someone who is sitting in front of you at the lights, with their mega-bright indicator flashing away in your face for no reason whatsoever.

I'm talking about where there are no lane markings, in London, where there is regularly parked cars on the other side of the junction which means everyone will have to pull over the right hand lane.

If its a right turn or straight on lane, then it's courtesy to the drivers behind you to indicate. And is it really that irritating to have to look at an indicator? I'd rather people just indicated the whole time, even when unnecessary.