Do you have to indicate if there are arrows on the road

[skilly1]

Today a friend was adamant that if there is an arrow painted on the road in a separate lane then you don't have to indicate to turn in the direction of the arrow. He said the same thing about roundabouts. Can't believe this is true?

[vdubbin]

I do it out of courtesy.

[Steameh]

Depending on the type of lights used at that first junction I may not indicate. For example if it is controlled by a right turn only signal whilst all other traffic is stopped, then I probably wouldn't indicate as there is no one to alert to the way I am going as they are all stopped and there is only one way I can go.

[Uriel]

I always do.

Other motorists that know the road system will know what you're doing, but I don't count on them knowing that it's a filter lane with only one legal direction for you to take. Plus I wouldn't expect peds to know that a particular lane is dictating my intended direction of travel.

Also the fact that being in the habit to indicate all the time regardless makes it less likely I'd forget at a time when you really should be indicating.

[kambites]

Even if you don't "have" to, that's not the point. A good driver will indicate whenever it's helpful to other road users.

[sinizter]

How will the person behind know what is painted on the road if there is a car over the painted section

Always best to indicate.

[Fire99]

I always do. I wouldn't like to think where people have got in the wrong lane, and then made a sudden change at the last second. Indicating helps people to know of your intention. That's my 5p

[a11y_m]

I would, but only if there's another road user (or pedestrian) around who'd actually benefit from my signal. If there's nobody around then what's the point of indicating? That's the logic I apply wherever I drive.

I've been trying to explain that one to my wife but she still insists on indicating when pulling into our driveway in a very quiet cul-de-sac...

[kaf]

a11y_m said:

I would, but only if there's another road user (or pedestrian) around who'd actually benefit from my signal. If there's nobody around then what's the point of indicating? That's the logic I apply wherever I drive.

..

Exactly right.

Would a signal benefit ANYONE else..............oncoming traffic? Following traffic? traffic on side roads? Pedestrians? If the answer is yes, then signal. If the answer is no, then what is the point?...................would you wave to an empty street?

Also consider other road users who MIGHT be there, but whom you cannot yet see, if they come into range, can you spot them and then signal soon enough to inform them of your intentions.

[V8mate]

sinizter said:

How will the person behind know what is painted on the road if there is a car over the painted section

Always best to indicate.

Indeed. Or people coming in the opposite direction.

[Motorrad]

As others have said, if you'd judge the information to be of use to other road users then you provide it.

[Fastra]

kaf said:

Exactly right.

Would a signal benefit ANYONE else.............. If the answer is no, then what is the point?

I've mentioned this a few times recently on here now, but can you be 100% sure you've seen everything to be then be able to make a decision on whether to indicate or not?
My thoughts on this are, no!
It's not a blind indicate and go thing, you can still indicate and be vigilant of your surroundings.

Even if it's a pedestrian that steps out from behind a bus shelter, the very fact that you are indicating might provide a few vital milliseconds to prevent a coming together.


The point of arrows on the road though, pedestrians aren't looking on the road for your traffic signals so an indication as to where you intend to end up is vital in my opinion.

[FisiP1]

You have to be careful if there are multiple turn lanes that you are not giving the impression you only wish to move over a lane, it's dependent on the specific junction and traffic conditions how I approach it.

[edc]

Who are you indicating to or for? Can the driver at another entry to the roundabout see the road markings? If you want other road users to understand your intentions then you indicate. In the same way you might beep your horn or flash your lights approaching a blind bend or crest.

[tercelgold]

It sort of comes back to you shouldn't just indicate without thinking why, putting on the left hand indicator and cutting off a cyclist is quite common. From my daily commute people don't indicate in the left or right hand only lanes unless they got into the wrong one, which usually means holding everyone while they wait for a gap.

[R0G]

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=52.667089,-1.151987&a...

An interesting situation regard signalling on designated left turns ......

Due to the way the contours are on this very fast moving roundabout, approaching traffic cannot see the road markings in the other approaches so signalling is required unless you want others to think you are going road ahead and across their path

The problem is that unless you know or work out that others cannot see the markings then no left indicator is given in many cases !!

[Baryonyx]

If it will benefit someone else, then do. You may be sitting over the road marking, and a signal may help other road users to work out what is what (after all, they may be unfamiliar with the area). I generally think it's a good idea to make use of your signals as much as neccessary; not just out of courtesy but because it may help other road users to stay out of your way!

[Ian Geary]

As I had it explained by traffic police recently, the lane arrows aren't compulsory, and just a guide to help traffic flow.

So whilst I'd indicate at a junction with other users around, I wouldn't assume someone in the left lane is going to go left, especially if they weren't indicating.


Ian

[ManBetterKnow]

you don't HAVE to indicate at anytime.