Driving Habits - use of indicators

[MotCO]

Following on from the other thread on motorway driving habits, why is it so few drivers use their indicators. On motorways, we have to guess whether vehicles are changing lanes on just veering. At roundabouts, I am reluctant to pull out unless a vehicle is indicating that they are turning off the roundabout into the road I am pulling out of, thereby causing longer delays and more congestion.

Why don't motorists use their indicators. Are they just selfish, or too busy playing with their phone / satnav/ radio etc?

 

[RichT54]

In my experience most drivers (certainly more than 50%) do use their indicators, but there are certainly many that don't. Plus there are those that think "manoeuvrer, signal, mirror" is the correct sequence of operations . Some are arrogant, some are distracted and some are just plain incompetent.

 

[Bevan Price]

In my experience most drivers (certainly more than 50%) do use their indicators, but there are certainly many that don't. Plus there are those that think "manoeuvrer, signal, mirror" is the correct sequence of operations . Some are arrogant, some are distracted and some are just plain incompetent.

If you have a car like mine, the indicators "self-cancel" as soon as I start to turn left or right at a junction / roundabout, etc.

 

[MotCO]

If you have a car like mine, the indicators "self-cancel" as soon as I start to turn left or right at a junction / roundabout, etc.

But at least you are using the indicators

 

[westv]

I hate the indicator stick on my wife's Vauxhall Corsa. So wishy washy compared to the stick Ì had on my Ford Focus.

 

[DerekC]

I recall on first driving in the USA twenty years ago being horrified by the large numbers of cars apparently not fitted with indicators - but it seems to have spread to the UK now! Do others think the problem here is getting worse?

 

[Nighthawke]

If you have a car like mine, the indicators "self-cancel" as soon as I start to turn left or right at a junction / roundabout, etc.

Still no excuse, you just turn them on again, or hold the stalk up/down with a finger if possible.

 

[The Ham]

I recall on first driving in the USA twenty years ago being horrified by the large numbers of cars apparently not fitted with indicators - but it seems to have spread to the UK now! Do others think the problem here is getting worse?

I'm not sure that my BMW has indicators, it might be an optional extra as I've seen very few others with them.

Spoiler: ....

I don't have a BMW (and I could have used other brands which have a similar reputation) but there's certainly a reputation that those with some brands of cars that they don't use their indicators to the extent that some start to question if they are fitted

 

[A Challenge]

I hate the indicator stick on my wife's Vauxhall Corsa. So wishy washy compared to the stick Ì had on my Ford Focus.

Are you sure you haven't got the windscreen wipers, if it is washy?

My view is that I indicate (not all the time, I'll admit) when cycling, so why can't a car indicate, when it is much lesson effort and safe to carry out a manoeuvre while indicating?

 

[Antman]

Following on from the other thread on motorway driving habits, why is it so few drivers use their indicators. On motorways, we have to guess whether vehicles are changing lanes on just veering. At roundabouts, I am reluctant to pull out unless a vehicle is indicating that they are turning off the roundabout into the road I am pulling out of, thereby causing longer delays and more congestion.

Why don't motorists use their indicators. Are they just selfish, or too busy playing with their phone / satnav/ radio etc?

I think it's fair to say that most drivers do use indicators but a significant minority often don't, I've even seen police cars turning left or right without indicating. It's certainly annoying and potentially dangerous, I mean how much effort does it take to flick an indicator stick one way or the other to let the rest of us know what you're doing?

 

[Ianno87]

Following on from the other thread on motorway driving habits, why is it so few drivers use their indicators. On motorways, we have to guess whether vehicles are changing lanes on just veering. At roundabouts, I am reluctant to pull out unless a vehicle is indicating that they are turning off the roundabout into the road I am pulling out of, thereby causing longer delays and more congestion.

The Highway Code does actually say you should never take someone's indications as their actual intent, precisely in the event that if somebody forgot to indicate / forgot to cancel so does something you don't expect.

In the roundabout example, even if a car was indicating off, you should still wait until it veers in that direction before pulling out.

Traffic queueing behind you should *never* be a factor in the decision you make. You worry about what *you* are doing.

I think it's fair to say that most drivers do use indicators but a significant minority often don't, I've even seen police cars turning left or right without indicating. It's certainly annoying and potentially dangerous, I mean how much effort does it take to flick an indicator stick one way or the other to let the rest of us know what you're doing?

Absolutely. It's just a stupendous level of laziness, and frankly inconsiderate to other road users.

 

[Kingspanner]

Well of course in the Police driving manual "Roadcraft" they recommended not indicating unless there is someone to indicate to, i'e someone who might be near enough to react to your indication. the thinking was that this would encourage drivers to be more conscious of other road users and actively consider indicating rather than unconsciously doing it. Back in the 90s when I suffered this they were recommending double-declutching and push-pull steering as well....

 

[Ianno87]

Well of course in the Police driving manual "Roadcraft" they recommended not indicating unless there is someone to indicate to, i'e someone who might be near enough to react to your indication. the thinking was that this would encourage drivers to be more conscious of other road users and actively consider indicating rather than unconsciously doing it. Back in the 90s when I suffered this they were recommending double-declutching and push-pull steering as well....

There is some logic to that I suppose. Rather than being blindly instinctive, actually having a logical thinking step on the lines of "who am I indicating to and what do they need to know?".

 

[AM9]

There is a roundabout near me on which indicator misuse is prevalent. Most locals will know of it,- the Hemel Hempstead Road/Bluehouse Hill/King Harry Lane three-way one. The majority flow is King Harry-Bluehouse Hill (northbound and a 270 degree turn), and the reverse, Bluehouse Hill-King Harry, (a 90 degree turn).
The problem is than most drivers making the 270 degree turn put their right-hand indicators on as they enter the roundabout and leave them indicating until they are automatically cancelled by physically turning left onto Bluehouse Hill. This leaves the traffic waiting to enter from Bluehouse Hill confronted with a stream of vehicles all indicating that they are continuing around the roundabout, so they either have to wait for somebody who isn't ignorant of the purpose of indicators or a large gap. The consequence is long unnecessary queues up the hill.
Given that this is a major rat-run whenever there are problems on the M1/M25 interchange and/or the A414 (ex M10), this route that is a de-facto SW quadrant of the ring around St Albans is a major problem made worse by inattentive and inconsiderate driving.

 

[krus_aragon]

I recall on first driving in the USA twenty years ago being horrified by the large numbers of cars apparently not fitted with indicators - but it seems to have spread to the UK now! Do others think the problem here is getting worse?

In North America, it's commonplace for cars to blink their brake lights as indicators.

There's a good critique and send-up of them here.

 

[nlogax]

In North America, it's commonplace for cars to blink their brake lights as indicators.

There's a good critique and send-up of them here.

Beat me to it. That video is a great description of a ridiculous situation.

 

[Meerkat]

I often rant at people not indicating on roundabouts.....just before sheepishly belatedly using mine.

ps it’s supposed to be Mirror, signal, mirror, manoeuvre now isn’t it?

 

[The_Train]

I do find it strange how its generally the most expensive cars on the market that don't appear to have indicators, especially those made by well know German manufacturers. I've also noticed an increase in lorry drivers failing to complete this basic driving task which surprises me considering they are absolutely the best drivers on the road!

I've reached the point now where if I don't see a vehicle indicating to go right at a roundabout then I judge them to be going either left or straight on and therefore that it is safe for me to enter the roundabout. If they are indeed going right then that's tough on them if they have to brake

 

[The_Train]

Well of course in the Police driving manual "Roadcraft" they recommended not indicating unless there is someone to indicate to, i'e someone who might be near enough to react to your indication. the thinking was that this would encourage drivers to be more conscious of other road users and actively consider indicating rather than unconsciously doing it. Back in the 90s when I suffered this they were recommending double-declutching and push-pull steering as well....

I've never heard of "Roadcraft" but this is something I've started to do on smaller roundabouts (those where you can generally see all exits on approach) and it definitely does make you more aware, not only of the traffic looking to enter the roundabout after your exit, but of traffic on the roundabout in general. It definitely removes that auto-pilot feel that I think we've all possibly felt at one time or another, especially on those routes we are very comfortable with

 

[DerekC]

In North America, it's commonplace for cars to blink their brake lights as indicators.

There's a good critique and send-up of them here.

Nice little video and I totally agree with what's expressed. But if drivers don't use their indicators at all ….

Of course in the good old days when we all drove real British cars like Morris and Triumph, the indicator stalk was on the right, the sun shone every day and everything was golden and wonderful. It all went down hill when those Eurocrats made us move it to the left - totally ridiculous! No wonder people don't indicate when the stalk is on the wrong side.

 

[Furrball]

On a related note there now seems to be a "let's put the lights in weird places" approach to car design.

Multiple light clusters across the rear of the car leading to a guessing game of where brake lights and indicators are placed.

This and seemingly a lot of new cars having almost invisible front indicators, especially in bright sunlight

 

[Meerkat]

The VWs with the indicator in the centre of a ring brake light are so unsafe they should be recalled.
Ridiculous that they ever got out into the wild like that

 

[krus_aragon]

This and seemingly a lot of new cars having almost invisible front indicators, especially in bright sunlight

I've been caught double-glancing at newer card with daytime running lights, which turn off the front light on one side when they're indicating. It turns on again once the idicator switches off.

More confusing are cars which turn off one of their DRLs (?) when turning, but with no indicator shown. So a car turns the corner showing three white lights at the front, then turns a fourth one one after it's finished turning. I've no idea if the drivers of these cars are using their indicators or not, it's just confusing.

 

[Lucan]

why is it so few drivers use their indicators

To them, it is like revealing your cards in a game of poker. In the cut-throat world of driving, surprise is one of their weapons.

 

[Ianno87]

On a related note there now seems to be a "let's put the lights in weird places" approach to car design.

Multiple light clusters across the rear of the car leading to a guessing game of where brake lights and indicators are placed.

This and seemingly a lot of new cars having almost invisible front indicators, especially in bright sunlight

New Audis etc now seem to have indicators that 'streak' when they blink on and off. i.e. rather than simply flash on and off (in time-honored manner), it streaks/fills up quickly in the direction of the turn instead of simply lighting up.

Total flashy gimmick...just slows down conveying the actual intent.

 

[RichT54]

New Audis etc now seem to have indicators that 'streak' when they blink on and off. i.e. rather than simply flash on and off (in time-honored manner), it streaks/fills up quickly in the direction of the turn instead of simply lighting up.

Total flashy gimmick...just slows down conveying the actual intent.

There are also some quite large trucks that have these animated indicators.

 

[Domh245]

Total flashy gimmick...just slows down conveying the actual intent.

Conversely, it makes it easier to understand. The directionality adds an extra 'show' of intentionality as to where the vehicle is going rather than just relying on the side of the vehicle that has a flashing light. Given the rate at which they flash, it doesn't really slow it down much at all..

 

[underbank]

Well of course in the Police driving manual "Roadcraft" they recommended not indicating unless there is someone to indicate to, i'e someone who might be near enough to react to your indication. the thinking was that this would encourage drivers to be more conscious of other road users and actively consider indicating rather than unconsciously doing it.

Yep, it's a brilliant way of preventing the risk of "auto-pilot". Institute of Advanced Motorists are very hot on the thought process to make you think about your road positioning, risks around you, other road users etc. It's an integral part of their "system".

 

[edwin_m]

There are people that use them when pulling out on motorways, but not when pulling in. There's then the risk that someone pulling out from Lane

Yep, it's a brilliant way of preventing the risk of "auto-pilot". Institute of Advanced Motorists are very hot on the thought process to make you think about your road positioning, risks around you, other road users etc. It's an integral part of their "system".

It does mean that if you do get it wrong you've removed one of the lines of defence. I tend to indicate even if there's no one else in sight, because I don't consider myself a good enough driver to be sure there's nobody there that would benefit from knowing my intention.

Conversely, it makes it easier to understand. The directionality adds an extra 'show' of intentionality as to where the vehicle is going rather than just relying on the side of the vehicle that has a flashing light. Given the rate at which they flash, it doesn't really slow it down much at all..

It's a shame though, that they still do that when being used as hazard lights. With everyone using LEDs there's an opportunity to give the hazards a different flashing pattern. Especially when they're used for things like buses that might be standing for longer than usual warning the bus behind not to pull up too close that they can't then pull out - and when that happens every passing driver expects the front bus will pull out.

 

[Ianno87]

Conversely, it makes it easier to understand. The directionality adds an extra 'show' of intentionality as to where the vehicle is going rather than just relying on the side of the vehicle that has a flashing light. Given the rate at which they flash, it doesn't really slow it down much at all..

No, it does marginally slow down the communication and make it less effective and instantaneous, especially from a distance.

It's already universally understood and clear that the indicator on the left side means turning left, and right>right.

A solution to a problem that didn't need solving.