Why do so few seem to give adequate signals these days?
Discussion
Not sure why it is happening, but it seems that relatively few drivers give adequate / in time traffic signals these days. And some of those who do finally give a signal, only do so when they are are halfway through the manouvre in question, which is generally a bit too late by then.
I was wondering what then reasons for this might be, and came up with the following, which could either be correct or incorrect and shot down by other readers.
1. Those in the vehicle not giving a signal, believe that all other road users around them know where
they are going to go, especially if they have switched into a specific directional lane (usually
without signalling to carry out this manouvre either)
2. They may have had to give signals to pass a driving test, but once this is behind them, they
are allowed to completely ignore, and forget the need to give a signal.
3. They either dont care or dont acknowledge / realise that there are other road users, which
includes, pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, othe cars hgv`s etc for whom a suitably
timed signal can be quite useful in avoiding an accident.
4. The driver is so staggeringly deficient in grey matter, they simply dont have sufficient
brain available to cope with the twin tasks of operating a vehicle AND giving signals
at one and the same time (the automotive equivalent of someone who is so dumb they cant
walk and chew gum at the same time)
5. They dont actually know which way they want to go, or are waiting for the satnav to tell
them which way they need to point their vehicle.
6. They know all of the above, but still dont give signals, but they just dont care whether
their driving skills are of reasonable / professional quality, or absolute s
te.
7. They dont use their mirrors, or their eyes, and dont even know that there is another road
user nearby who has a vested interest in getting some sort of idea about which way they
are likely to go. especially in icy, poor vis winter conditions, where stopping or steering
are not quite as certain as when the roads are dry / only wet.
In the `old' days it used to be the drivers of certain makes / models of car who seemed to be the most guilty of not giving adequate / any road signals, but now it seems that more and more, (even including police / traffic police/ taxi / HGV drivers etc who as supposedly `professional drivers) really should know better, there are many who dont seem to bother with giving appropriate traffic signals.
To me giving signals in traffic, is the same as having oil between the moving parts of an engine.
not a big part of the whole driving set up, but vital nonetheless in stopping these things coming together. If giving signals was made compulsory, it `could' reduce the number of accidents at a stroke, But it seems the extra workload it would put on `some' drivers would be more than they could actually cope with.
I was wondering what then reasons for this might be, and came up with the following, which could either be correct or incorrect and shot down by other readers.
1. Those in the vehicle not giving a signal, believe that all other road users around them know where
they are going to go, especially if they have switched into a specific directional lane (usually
without signalling to carry out this manouvre either)
2. They may have had to give signals to pass a driving test, but once this is behind them, they
are allowed to completely ignore, and forget the need to give a signal.
3. They either dont care or dont acknowledge / realise that there are other road users, which
includes, pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, othe cars hgv`s etc for whom a suitably
timed signal can be quite useful in avoiding an accident.
4. The driver is so staggeringly deficient in grey matter, they simply dont have sufficient
brain available to cope with the twin tasks of operating a vehicle AND giving signals
at one and the same time (the automotive equivalent of someone who is so dumb they cant
walk and chew gum at the same time)
5. They dont actually know which way they want to go, or are waiting for the satnav to tell
them which way they need to point their vehicle.
6. They know all of the above, but still dont give signals, but they just dont care whether
their driving skills are of reasonable / professional quality, or absolute s
te.7. They dont use their mirrors, or their eyes, and dont even know that there is another road
user nearby who has a vested interest in getting some sort of idea about which way they
are likely to go. especially in icy, poor vis winter conditions, where stopping or steering
are not quite as certain as when the roads are dry / only wet.
In the `old' days it used to be the drivers of certain makes / models of car who seemed to be the most guilty of not giving adequate / any road signals, but now it seems that more and more, (even including police / traffic police/ taxi / HGV drivers etc who as supposedly `professional drivers) really should know better, there are many who dont seem to bother with giving appropriate traffic signals.
To me giving signals in traffic, is the same as having oil between the moving parts of an engine.
not a big part of the whole driving set up, but vital nonetheless in stopping these things coming together. If giving signals was made compulsory, it `could' reduce the number of accidents at a stroke, But it seems the extra workload it would put on `some' drivers would be more than they could actually cope with.
^ Ah, yes. Those simple folks who sit on the brake lights at traffic light junctions yet still can't manage a speedy getaway.
As for the OP, the people who don't indicate are probably to busy clogging up the offside lanes on dual carriageways whilst the inside lane's clear.
Now when I were a lad ... they had the birch.
As for the OP, the people who don't indicate are probably to busy clogging up the offside lanes on dual carriageways whilst the inside lane's clear.
Now when I were a lad ... they had the birch.
It doesnt really annoy me, as at least it lets me know the driver of the vehicle who is not giving signals is a klutz who may also not care too much driving well, and who is therefore probably best kept well clear of. I mean how on Earth can anyone really be sure about which way this type of driver might actually go?
because I can't think why ... perhaps more in-car distractions nowadays?8. Non-signalers feel that if they make known their intention to merge that other drivers may box them out/not let them in. I propose this because it happens all the time around here. Heaven forbid some drivers lose one car length of progress.
If you don't signal, it's easier to merge because you're not making known your intentions, and are able to 'sneak in' instead of being boxed out by car after car.
If you don't signal, it's easier to merge because you're not making known your intentions, and are able to 'sneak in' instead of being boxed out by car after car.
This is not just about people who do not give lane change signals on motorways, but not giving signals when changing lanes would result in a fail, if done during a driving test. Also there is s difference between correct merging into another lane following giving a signal, and cutting in because the gap a lane changer is trying to squeeze into is too small, and compromises the following drivers safe braking zone.
One criteria for giving a signal, could be that if failing to do so during a driving test results in a fail, Then failing to do it when driving afterwards is also a fail in ones personal standard of driving.
On the roads I see drivers who I would class as quality drivers, those who move as fast as the road conditions / speed limits allow, those who get in the correct lane for where they want to go, those who dont take the p*ss and try to squeeze into gaps in a lane they hould have got into half a mile back, and those who give good signals in good time. Those that cannot give signals especially when they are driving fast, just show that their limited brain power is all being used up just trying to drive fast.
Years ago, my driving instructor (who was the one who told me that people who drive, and dont give signals are the automotive equivalent of people who cannot walk and chew gum at the same time) also said that they make the rules for giving a signal so devastatingly simple, even a moron can understand them. If you are approaching a junction of any kind, and there is more than one way you can go, then give a signal to show which way you `are' going to go, (and give it in good time)
One criteria for giving a signal, could be that if failing to do so during a driving test results in a fail, Then failing to do it when driving afterwards is also a fail in ones personal standard of driving.
On the roads I see drivers who I would class as quality drivers, those who move as fast as the road conditions / speed limits allow, those who get in the correct lane for where they want to go, those who dont take the p*ss and try to squeeze into gaps in a lane they hould have got into half a mile back, and those who give good signals in good time. Those that cannot give signals especially when they are driving fast, just show that their limited brain power is all being used up just trying to drive fast.
Years ago, my driving instructor (who was the one who told me that people who drive, and dont give signals are the automotive equivalent of people who cannot walk and chew gum at the same time) also said that they make the rules for giving a signal so devastatingly simple, even a moron can understand them. If you are approaching a junction of any kind, and there is more than one way you can go, then give a signal to show which way you `are' going to go, (and give it in good time)
I have pondered this, they only indicate when it benefits them, I.e changing lanes into a queue, not when sailing off a roundabout as they know where they are going and you knowing doesn't benefit them one iota, they aren't using it to advise, they use it to tell you, subtle but important difference, lazy and inconsiderate, not sure why they need to save that effort, perhaps to concentrate on texting ?
I actually got very annoyed at a passenger on Sunday who was supposed to be giving me directions. I was dropping some people off, and didn't know where they lived, so was relying on the passenger to tell me where to go.
Several times the directions were either late, or wrong, and I ended up signalling for incorrect turns etc.
I did tell them their directions were poor and that it wasn't really acceptable as I was obviously causing confusion for other road users.
Several times the directions were either late, or wrong, and I ended up signalling for incorrect turns etc.
I did tell them their directions were poor and that it wasn't really acceptable as I was obviously causing confusion for other road users.
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