Why don't you use your Indicators?

[tobytronicstereophonic]

Last Christmas, I witnessed a rare thing. An accident where two expensive cars collided and neither was at fault. A third car caused it by not indicating. They drove on, oblivious to what they'd just created. Unfortunately the elderly lady driver in one car needed emergency treatment at A&E.

So, I would really like to know the rationale as to why an adult would think the use of indicators is really not for them:
Do you think it's uncool?
Cannot tolerate the 'clicking' noise?
Too lazy?
Are you the commander of your own personal universe and don't give a flying frack about anyone else?
If anybody is brave enough to admit that they often refuse to flash theirs, I honestly would love to hear from you, as the above incident really affected me.

Frequent/habitual flashers, do you have any pet theories?

[Mandat]

tobytronicstereophonic said:

Last Christmas, I witnessed a rare thing. An accident where two expensive cars collided and neither was at fault. A third car caused it by not indicating. They drove on, oblivious to what they'd just created. Unfortunately the elderly lady driver in one car needed emergency treatment at A&E.

So, I would really like to know the rationale as to why an adult would think the use of indicators is really not for them:
Do you think it's uncool?
Cannot tolerate the 'clicking' noise?
Too lazy?
Are you the commander of your own personal universe and don't give a flying frack about anyone else?
If anybody is brave enough to admit that they often refuse to flash theirs, I honestly would love to hear from you, as the above incident really affected me.

Frequent/habitual flashers, do you have any pet theories?

Can you explain the circumstances of the accident so that we can all understand why & how it happened.

[AlexIT]

I drive a BMW and I've been told they only come as as an option

[toasty]

I only indicate when there’s someone to indicate to. I’m not one that’s picked up the habit of blindly indicating for every manoeuvre I do. Then again, I am aware of my surroundings and don’t rely on indicators as an excuse for cutting someone up.

Yes I drive a BMW too

[SimonTheSailor]

Occasionally people forget - and yes - you will have done it also during your driving life. More than once.

[kambites]

There's one particular roundabout near where I live which has 4 exits (standard 90 degree cross-shaped affair) but the main road is adjacent exits; the other two exits are into small cul-de-sacs so rarely used. On average when approaching on the main road turning right to follow the main road (if that makes sense), I reckon I have to wait about 10 cars going the other way before someone actually indicates left to make it clear that they're not one of the one in 500 cars which goes straight-on. So by my reckoning at least 90% of drivers around here are either selfish morons or utterly clueless (or both).

When I am King people who fail to indicate left when leaving a roundabout will be first against the wall...

[geeks]

toasty said:

I only indicate when there’s someone to indicate to. I’m not one that’s picked up the habit of blindly indicating for every manoeuvre I do. Then again, I am aware of my surroundings and don’t rely on indicators as an excuse for cutting someone up.

Yes I drive a BMW too

I indicate even if I am the only one of the road, doesn't make me unaware of my surroundings it's just habit and a good one. I don't use them as an excuse to cut people up though, that is a pet peeve of mine. I used to live in MK, a city of roundabouts, which probably had the worse use of indicators in the country along with those who would stop at a roundabout see you entering it, look you in the eye and then go as if to say "We can have an accident or you can avoid one by letting me get away with being a !"

[kambites]

toasty said:

I only indicate when there’s someone to indicate to. I

I used to do that but I decided doing the opposite made me a better driver - I look around and then indicate unless I can see someone for whom that indication will cause more confusion than aid. That way if I miss another road user (which, since I'm not perfect, happens occasionally) I will be indicating and in my experience 95% of the time that turns out to be the most useful thing to be doing.

[Cold]

Unfortunately it's the training from a previous career that still creeps in to everyday life. Always keep them guessing about your next move.

[pointer7]

Laziness in my opinion, you are taught to indicate when taking driving lessons so why would you not do it?

People only worry about where THEY want to go and sod everyone else, no consideration. If I'm sitting at a junction/roundabout and someone turns off left without indicating, I always stick my hand up as a gesture.... there's no reason not to indicate, it helps keep the traffic flowing too

[brillomaster]

I indicate at roundabouts. and get annoyed when people don't indicate to exit, as i have to assume they're coming round therefore have to wait.

though I frequently don't indicate to change lanes on motorways, when there is nothing to indicate to.

i'm also quite happy putting my indicator on and waiting, as a sign to the person slowly overtaking me, that i'd like them to either hurry up and finish overtaking me, or move over into the empty lane 3, so i can pull out and overtake a slow moving L1 vehicle without deactivating cruise control.

[Court_S]

I always use my indicators and get frustrated with idiots who don’t, especially when leaving roundabouts…the irony is that I drive a BMW.

[Bennet]

tobytronicstereophonic said:

...two expensive cars collided and neither was at fault. A third car caused it by not indicating.

Go on....

[mmm-five]

brillomaster said:

I indicate at roundabouts. and get annoyed when people don't indicate to exit, as i have to assume they're coming round therefore have to wait.

though I frequently don't indicate to change lanes on motorways, when there is nothing to indicate to.

i'm also quite happy putting my indicator on and waiting, as a sign to the person slowly overtaking me, that i'd like them to either hurry up and finish overtaking me, or move over into the empty lane 3, so i can pull out and overtake a slow moving L1 vehicle without deactivating cruise control.

Even with an indicator, I'd still not assume anything, and wait until it was clear the were actually taking the exit before pulling out.

[MightyBadger]

Drivers of the expensive cars are not very good drivers either?

[kuiper]

Per my good old IAM training, I will signal if - and only if - it could be a benefit to someone else. Other vehicles clearly visible? Indicators. Clear obstruction somewhere that means I (or another vehicle) might be unsighted? Indicator just in case. If there's nothing anywhere around and no visibility issues then no indicator because per Roadcraft there's no benefit there to other road users. For me taking the time to look and observe for this ahead of a manoeuvre is much better than just blindly going clicky click, but whatever works for you.

On the other hand I would say it's always safe to assume other drivers - indicator or no - are going to do the opposite of what you expect. Approaching a junction with no indicator? Assume their going to turn until the car body language makes the intent clear. Coming to a roundabout indicating right? Assume they are going straight on until the car body language.... you get the point. Have seen far, far too many non indication or wrong indication near misses over the years.

My personal favourite is the lady up the road who indicates every day to turn right on a T junction, and usually it doesn't auto cancel but she doesn't notice and continues up the road for another few miles with the signal on until she needs to go left. She is given a generally very wide berth regardless of indicators because it proves her observation is that poor that she could do anything!

[donteatpeople]

Mandat said:

tobytronicstereophonic said:

Last Christmas, I witnessed a rare thing. An accident where two expensive cars collided and neither was at fault. A third car caused it by not indicating. They drove on, oblivious to what they'd just created. Unfortunately the elderly lady driver in one car needed emergency treatment at A&E.

So, I would really like to know the rationale as to why an adult would think the use of indicators is really not for them:
Do you think it's uncool?
Cannot tolerate the 'clicking' noise?
Too lazy?
Are you the commander of your own personal universe and don't give a flying frack about anyone else?
If anybody is brave enough to admit that they often refuse to flash theirs, I honestly would love to hear from you, as the above incident really affected me.

Frequent/habitual flashers, do you have any pet theories?

Can you explain the circumstances of the accident so that we can all understand why & how it happened.

This.

I'm struggling to see how this can happen. I can see that a car not indicting could cause confusion but confusion shouldn't lead to a collision without additional mistakes from at least one of the parties that collided.

[MightyBadger]

kuiper said:

Per my good old IAM training, I will signal if - and only if - it could be a benefit to someone else.

Out of habit I indicate/signal every time. I see a lot of people not indicating, they obviously think I won’t benefit from it. Will happily honk non indicator types to make them aware of my presence

[mwstewart]

I signal every time, including when in marked lanes as it often helps others to make a decision.

[Monkeylegend]

I notice more and more electric cars no longer using them, range anxiety I imagine.