Why do so few people give signals these days?
Discussion
Because giving a signal to show ALL other road users, is such a basic requirement, when using a motor vehicle, I often wonder why so few people give signals.
Are they the automotive equivalent of some one who cannot chew gum and walk at the same time?
Are they the cripplehook specialist, with their knuckles draped over the top of the steering wheel, who really dont want to move their hand down to the indicator lever?
Do they `know' they should give signals, but cannot be bothered, because moving a finger to the indicator lever is just so hard?
Do they only think about giving a signal, when they are virtually on top of the turn they want to make, or worse still, only start giving a signal when they are half way through a turn?
Do they know that giving signals is NOT just for the road user behind them?
Do they know the effect that giving timely signals has on traffic flow?
I was taught that the rule for giving a signal, is so simple even a moron ought to be able to grasp the principle.
Namely, When approaching a junction, ANY type of junction, A T junction. A Y junction, A roundabout, A crossroads, A slip road, A get in lane junction, where there is more than one way they can go, and where there are any other road users including pedestrians who could make use of that signal , Then GIVE A SIGNAL!
Any thoughts on why some dont have the capacity to drive a vehicle and give signals at the same time would be interesting.
Are they the automotive equivalent of some one who cannot chew gum and walk at the same time?
Are they the cripplehook specialist, with their knuckles draped over the top of the steering wheel, who really dont want to move their hand down to the indicator lever?
Do they `know' they should give signals, but cannot be bothered, because moving a finger to the indicator lever is just so hard?
Do they only think about giving a signal, when they are virtually on top of the turn they want to make, or worse still, only start giving a signal when they are half way through a turn?
Do they know that giving signals is NOT just for the road user behind them?
Do they know the effect that giving timely signals has on traffic flow?
I was taught that the rule for giving a signal, is so simple even a moron ought to be able to grasp the principle.
Namely, When approaching a junction, ANY type of junction, A T junction. A Y junction, A roundabout, A crossroads, A slip road, A get in lane junction, where there is more than one way they can go, and where there are any other road users including pedestrians who could make use of that signal , Then GIVE A SIGNAL!
Any thoughts on why some dont have the capacity to drive a vehicle and give signals at the same time would be interesting.
Regularly I'm the only person indicating on the run up to any kind of junction or on-road hazard where it'd be sensible to indicate... it started out quite funny, what with the trope of BMW drivers (as I am one) not indicating anywhere, but as it happens pretty much all the time, now it's just depressing.
Mr Happy said:
Regularly I'm the only person indicating on the run up to any kind of junction or on-road hazard where it'd be sensible to indicate... it started out quite funny, what with the trope of BMW drivers (as I am one) not indicating anywhere, but as it happens pretty much all the time, now it's just depressing.
Same. Not indicating left at a r/bout is particularly infuriating "I was waiting for you to cross in front of me you f
king tt!" 
TX.
Acorn1 said:
My pet peeve is people not indicating right when they are intending to take the 2nd, 3rd or 4th exit on a roundabout.
Are we supposed to guess?
They then give a quick left hand indication as they take the exit - well done!
This x10000. Are we supposed to guess?
They then give a quick left hand indication as they take the exit - well done!
I can make my peace with lazy t
ts not indicating most of the time, I've given up hope with the human race in general. But the above should be a capital offence.Gary29 said:
Acorn1 said:
My pet peeve is people not indicating right when they are intending to take the 2nd, 3rd or 4th exit on a roundabout.
Are we supposed to guess?
They then give a quick left hand indication as they take the exit - well done!
This x10000. Are we supposed to guess?
They then give a quick left hand indication as they take the exit - well done!
I can make my peace with lazy t
ts not indicating most of the time, I've given up hope with the human race in general. But the above should be a capital offence.Someone has affixed a fairly professional sign at a roundabout near us (The one that appears in all the Cheshire Supercar/BMW crash videos) suggesting that folk might like to indicate, and its needed as folk just sail on and off without a care in the world.
I reckon that cars have got easy to drive there is very little input needed and thats been extended to indicating, I dont think BMW drivers are any better or worse to be honest.
I followed a Q7 for quite a way, didnt indicate once, until they had to jib into standing traffic having carved past most of it, was then all about them blinky lights and was not happy when nobody would let them in, so they will indicate when they need to, i.e. it benefits them.
Sad thing it, a bit less selfishness and traffic would flow better, those seconds wasted whilst someone keeps you guessing, then swings off the exit before add up, but doing something that doesn't directly have a benefit doesn't fit into that mindset, me me me now now now.
I reckon that cars have got easy to drive there is very little input needed and thats been extended to indicating, I dont think BMW drivers are any better or worse to be honest.
I followed a Q7 for quite a way, didnt indicate once, until they had to jib into standing traffic having carved past most of it, was then all about them blinky lights and was not happy when nobody would let them in, so they will indicate when they need to, i.e. it benefits them.
Sad thing it, a bit less selfishness and traffic would flow better, those seconds wasted whilst someone keeps you guessing, then swings off the exit before add up, but doing something that doesn't directly have a benefit doesn't fit into that mindset, me me me now now now.
These threads come up regularly on PH and two groups form. One group saying you shouldn't rely on indicators ergo pointless using them and they don't.
The other group (like me) use them religiously as (1) it costs nothing (2) is courteous and helpful to other road users and (3) when I was a motorcyclist I got fed up of cars (usually German!) deciding to overtake as I'm coming alongside and the first I know about it is as they try and side swipe me. Why not indicators for a few seconds before hand to warn others what you are doing as it costs nothing!
The other group (like me) use them religiously as (1) it costs nothing (2) is courteous and helpful to other road users and (3) when I was a motorcyclist I got fed up of cars (usually German!) deciding to overtake as I'm coming alongside and the first I know about it is as they try and side swipe me. Why not indicators for a few seconds before hand to warn others what you are doing as it costs nothing!
I don't indicate if I'm 100% sure that it will not benefit others - night time, roundabouts and junctions were there is simply no-one around.
The roundabout onto my estate has difficult sightlines, so a vehicle coming off the estate with me to their right, won't be seen by me until I am right at the roundabout, so I always indicate left just in case someone is approaching and they can benefit from my indication.
The roundabout onto my estate has difficult sightlines, so a vehicle coming off the estate with me to their right, won't be seen by me until I am right at the roundabout, so I always indicate left just in case someone is approaching and they can benefit from my indication.
We live on a a busy fast road. We have turning space on our drive, but occasionally you have to reverse in or out.
There is a junction about 200yards up the road, so as I make my manoeuvre I have to look at this junction to determine if I have time
The amount of people who don’t indicate is crazy
typically German marques are the worse
I can also be reversing into the drive and people literally don’t seem to see you (or are knobs) and come and block your drive
I then just sit and let them work it out that they are holding themselves up
There is a junction about 200yards up the road, so as I make my manoeuvre I have to look at this junction to determine if I have time
The amount of people who don’t indicate is crazy
typically German marques are the worse
I can also be reversing into the drive and people literally don’t seem to see you (or are knobs) and come and block your drive
I then just sit and let them work it out that they are holding themselves up
ARHarh said:
What about the "surprise indicators" you know, putting them on just after you have started turning, or within a few yards of the corner. 
Also happens on a motorway when some twunt pulls out in front of you knowing well that they've forced you to brake but they can't possibly be in the wrong because they "indicated"....Seems to be part in the overall reduction in driving abilities and courtesy I see every time I drive anywhere now. It would seem all of the following are only advisory these days and you can effectively drive how you like now.
Indicators
Giving way at roundabouts
Giving way as you pull out into a road
Waiting behind parked cars, just bully your way through
Being able to make it around a sweeping bend and stay in your lane (mostly big SUVs guilty for this one)
Being able to pull into a road without majorly cutting the corner
Being able to pull out of a road without part of your car being in the other lane
Having any idea what lane you should be in on a roundabout, just bully your way where you need to be.
A weird Scandy flick type manoeuvre where you turn the wheel slightly left before turning right into a road to give yourself more lock for some reason.
I blame mobile phones, general aggression, people bought up with a "I am the most important" type attitude, people who perhaps got their licence in another country and bring the driving standards with them, Big SUVs and being insulated from everything etc.
Indicators
Giving way at roundabouts
Giving way as you pull out into a road
Waiting behind parked cars, just bully your way through
Being able to make it around a sweeping bend and stay in your lane (mostly big SUVs guilty for this one)
Being able to pull into a road without majorly cutting the corner
Being able to pull out of a road without part of your car being in the other lane
Having any idea what lane you should be in on a roundabout, just bully your way where you need to be.
A weird Scandy flick type manoeuvre where you turn the wheel slightly left before turning right into a road to give yourself more lock for some reason.
I blame mobile phones, general aggression, people bought up with a "I am the most important" type attitude, people who perhaps got their licence in another country and bring the driving standards with them, Big SUVs and being insulated from everything etc.
People also seem to not understand at the end of the road they are heading along is a x minute wait to get out the junction, yet they still block drives, close gaps, don’t let people turn etc, even though it wouldn’t slow their overall progress down
I can stand on the edge of the road in the morning with my toddler for a long time before someone bright spots me and slows down 50 yards up the road allowing me to cross. I even have people pull up next to you so you are stood next to their passenger door. So selfish
I can stand on the edge of the road in the morning with my toddler for a long time before someone bright spots me and slows down 50 yards up the road allowing me to cross. I even have people pull up next to you so you are stood next to their passenger door. So selfish
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