Highway Code - drivers don't bother to indicate
It seems to be standard practice nowadays for motorists not to bother to indicate when changing lanes on a motorway, and not to indicate at a junction or at a roundabout. They are used so infrequently that one would almost suppose that cars are no longer made with indicator lights. Quite often, as a driver and as a pedestrian, I simply have wait until the car has moved on. 'Oh, I see, you're going that way are you?' I mutter to myself. Does anyone remember the section of the Highway Code about signals to other road users or is it assumed we're all telepathic?!
This dangerous practice seems to be compensated however by the over-use of the horn.
By the way, the Highway Code (rule 92) says "Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively." So why is the horn is now used as a communication tool to say 'hello there', 'I'm back' and 'bye-bye' at all hours of the day and night? And have you noticed the twin horn blowing which occurs these days? This is when a disgruntled driver beeps at another driver for doing something wrong. 
The second driver takes offence at this and (despite being in the wrong) beeps back even louder, as if to say 'up yours'.
I work near a busy mini- roundabout and I hear this twin beeping all the time, mainly because many drivers don't seem to know who has right-of-way at a mini-roundabout and many people these days refuse to be told they are in the wrong.
I also thought it was now illegal to hold a mobile phone whilst driving and yet I see this regularly, especially at the above mentioned roundabout, including young mothers with children on the back seat, and yes, they don't indicate either. I think the reason for this appalling behaviour is because there are too many rude, ignorant, thoughtless, selfish people and I blame the media for that to a great extent, but that's another story. Driving whilst using a mobile phone is dangerous and plain stupid!
By: Toughcookie
Comments from visitors
Why do we need indicators i always use my hand out of the window like it shows in my highway code. Why the rush to dash here and there. I think the speed limit on all village roads should be 10 MPH anyway.
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Agreed! I get mad when waiting at a local junction ready to turn right. The car approaching from the left on the main road shows no signs its not going straight on, but as it reaches me, it turns left. What inconsiderate prats these people are. Incidences such as these are a daily occurrence, and if I had my say, if they're caught doing in consistently, a driving bad would follow. Idiots!
+7
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I find that a large minority of drivers seem to have lost the ability to change gear while driving. A large part of the 'art' of driving is choosing the right speed for the conditions, yet quite few folk seem unable to change down a gear or two.
This lack of ability of drivers to change gear properly can be seen in these folk who dribble out of side roads and then take ages to reach the speed of the traffic on the main road, basically because they are in 4th or 5th gear, rather than 1st, 2nd or 3rd. They are the same on roundabouts they struggle to accelerate onto the roundabout and then exit slowly as well whilst they fumble with the gears. For goodness sakes, can't these people just buy a car with an automatic transmission?
It gear changing phobia also applies to the 'middle lane' merchants. They can't accelerate to overtake slower vehicles. Please, please please - learn how to change gear before you cause an accident!
+9
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Actually John, this is an absolute curse on a wet winter night, and even worse is indicators right there in front of you when they are stationary waiting to turn at a junction at night.
Another pet hate of mine is glaring headlights on full beam, especially cars with xenon lights fitted, they are absolutely blinding.
Another pet hate of mine is glaring headlights on full beam, especially cars with xenon lights fitted, they are absolutely blinding.
+2
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the crash expert - 12-Feb-11 18:46
Drivers who, instead of using their handbrakes when stationary for more than just a few seconds (especially at red traffic lights), leave their footbrake depressed until they move off again. The result, rear brake lights so bright, they dazzle, impeding the vision of the driver behind.
-4
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I would agree with Andyj about never ever trusting indicators, I wait until I see physical proof such as their wheels actually showing signs of turning. I cannot count the number of times I have seen people go straight on still indicating to turn off. I learnt this lesson very nearly the hard way a few weeks after I had passeed my test, it was a near miss luckily, I was in a side road wanting to turn out into a main road, I saw a car coming towards me indicating, I stupidly thought oh good I can go, big mistake! he was still coming straight on, I went, I floored the gas and he just missed me as I cleared the centre of the road. I never made that mistake again.
+3
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the crash expert - 14-Nov-10 23:23
This is one of my pet hates - bad use of indicators.
-7
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If I've been tailgated (usually on the way home) I get revenge by slowing down before my left turn, pretending to be lost, then spotting that I'm at the correct junction (by now I've almost stopped) I turn left without indicating. The look of fury on the helpless idiot behind me is excellent.
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Advice from a lifelong motorcyclist.
Never trust indicators. Simple advice and its a life saver from all these people who think flashing the things constantly make them good drivers.
People Indicate right when they are turning left off a roundabout. Others indicate left whilst driving all the way round. Those who do not use them are avoided!
Many indicate left to turn off the main road then a car pulls out because it turns out they were indicating for the next road past them!
Vehicles on the side of the road indicate right so one assumes they are about to enter the lane. They really bum me.
A motorcycle copper once told me that a flashing indicator means the bulb is working.
And all you people who say are good drivers and nobody else is; Why does no-one on the road agree with you? All you people who like to INTERACT cleanly with the traffic and understand where the mindsets of others are coming from in a good light are more often than not the good and considerate drivers.
Never trust indicators. Simple advice and its a life saver from all these people who think flashing the things constantly make them good drivers.
People Indicate right when they are turning left off a roundabout. Others indicate left whilst driving all the way round. Those who do not use them are avoided!
Many indicate left to turn off the main road then a car pulls out because it turns out they were indicating for the next road past them!
Vehicles on the side of the road indicate right so one assumes they are about to enter the lane. They really bum me.
A motorcycle copper once told me that a flashing indicator means the bulb is working.
And all you people who say are good drivers and nobody else is; Why does no-one on the road agree with you? All you people who like to INTERACT cleanly with the traffic and understand where the mindsets of others are coming from in a good light are more often than not the good and considerate drivers.
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I couldn't agree more with this Gripe !! In Milton Keynes, where I work, no-one seems to use indicators at all. They drive flat out, changing lanes and cutting up slower, more sensible drivers (like Yours Truly!!) willy nilly, and then blast you off the face of the earth with their horns if you have the temerity to get in their way!
I have never experienced such appalling standards of driving anywhere in the whole world like Milton Keynes. One wonders how they ever pass their driving tests ... unless the inspectors are part of the culture.
I have never experienced such appalling standards of driving anywhere in the whole world like Milton Keynes. One wonders how they ever pass their driving tests ... unless the inspectors are part of the culture.
+10
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Nice gripe,you need to live in wiltshire,I cant believe the lack of indicators,taxi drivers,god help you if cut them up!still I suppose these days who really cares!!!!
+8
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as long as it doesnt effect me - 27-Jun-10 21:45
I've get really annoyed with lack of indicating. I am thinking of singing this (when window open):
and the indicators don't work
or I'm dealing with a jerk
oh I hope I don't have to see your face again
and the indicators don't work
or I'm dealing with a jerk
oh I hope I don't have to see your face again
-10
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Roundabouts - I would generally choose my lane according to signage, usually the arrows painted on the road. My driving instructor taught me to think of the roundabout as a clock. If you're going around past 12 o'clock then you should be in the right hand lane (and indicate right). Going straight on in the right hand lane is fine. If there are 2 lanes in and 2 lanes out, why not use both of them?! It's the people who are afriad to get on the inside of the roundabout that annoy me, and stay on the outside and cut everyone up as they drive across the exits.
+10
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I think the standards in driving are generally dropping in line with society as a whole. These days there seems to be a growing "I'm all right Jack" attitude among people in general but particularly with regard to driving. It's a shame really but we see it on the roads daily "I don't need to indicate", "I don't care if my fog lights are blinding you", "I know it's a 60mph zone but I'm doing 25, It's my right" etc. etc. etc.
Someone has to take a stand and change things but there is nobody willing to put thier head on a block and do so. Drivers represent a large chunk of the British voting public and no political party is going to risk alienating them by enforcing the rules.
Someone has to take a stand and change things but there is nobody willing to put thier head on a block and do so. Drivers represent a large chunk of the British voting public and no political party is going to risk alienating them by enforcing the rules.
-6
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Why is it that people park so close to the shop to buy something fattening and unhealthy plus they probably live less than a few hundred yards away. I saw a car parked outside a news agents actually on an island ,what was worse there was an elderley lady sitting in the passenger seat,she was in such danger it was disgusting and the man who left it there was so obese he could hardly get in and out of the car.
+11
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The best thing is to tell them when they get out of their vehicle that you are concerned for their safety as their indicators do not seem to work it saves an argument and makes them feel a pra!
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First thing that comes to my mind regarding not bothering to indicate is bmw drivers...
+1
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Ordinary Motorist - 27-Nov-09 18:20
its a virus thats spreading, its also sheer inconsideration. I have had people pull out (and in ) in front of me, they might know where they are going but I don't. drives me nuts
+11
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Jason
You are incorrect when you say "hand lane for left and straight on, right hand lane for turning right; it's not difficult". I'm afraid the reality is a little more complex.
As a general rule, The Highway Code states : "select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout, signalling as necessary" however in practice the choice of correct lane depends upon several factors not least any road signs or markings indicating which lane is to be used.
For example I know of one roundabout where - approaching from the east the markings require 'left lane turn left or straight on, right land turn right only', but from the west the signs require 'left land turn left only, right land straight on or turn right'.
At another roundabout, the signs indicate 'left land left and straight on', 'right lane straight on or right'.
Judgement, courtesy and an appreciation of other road users are essential when deciding how to approach and negotiate any roundabout, this is even more important when dealing with more complex and/or unmarked roundabouts and especially those with single approach which, nearing the junction becomes two lanes thus allowing traffic to split into two streams thus enabling a filter left, right or straight on as necessary.
A problem arises when, at this point drivers use both lanes but the exit is only a single lane. I believe this is your point about “people who think that aroundabout is the place to 'overtake' or 'queue jump' those that go in the righthand lane but are going straight on”. You accuse these drivers of being “the ones with the smug look on their faces and the led boots” which of course is nonsense as how can you possibly understand the motives of someone else from inside your car.
You are incorrect when you say "hand lane for left and straight on, right hand lane for turning right; it's not difficult". I'm afraid the reality is a little more complex.
As a general rule, The Highway Code states : "select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout, signalling as necessary" however in practice the choice of correct lane depends upon several factors not least any road signs or markings indicating which lane is to be used.
For example I know of one roundabout where - approaching from the east the markings require 'left lane turn left or straight on, right land turn right only', but from the west the signs require 'left land turn left only, right land straight on or turn right'.
At another roundabout, the signs indicate 'left land left and straight on', 'right lane straight on or right'.
Judgement, courtesy and an appreciation of other road users are essential when deciding how to approach and negotiate any roundabout, this is even more important when dealing with more complex and/or unmarked roundabouts and especially those with single approach which, nearing the junction becomes two lanes thus allowing traffic to split into two streams thus enabling a filter left, right or straight on as necessary.
A problem arises when, at this point drivers use both lanes but the exit is only a single lane. I believe this is your point about “people who think that aroundabout is the place to 'overtake' or 'queue jump' those that go in the righthand lane but are going straight on”. You accuse these drivers of being “the ones with the smug look on their faces and the led boots” which of course is nonsense as how can you possibly understand the motives of someone else from inside your car.
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Spot on Andy.
Roundabouts annoy me for a number of reasons. Few people indicate and those that do seem to get it wrong, few people use the correct lane: left hand lane for left and straight on, right hand lane for turning right; it's not difficult. but the one thing that annoys me more than that are the people who think that aroundabout is the place to 'overtake' or 'queue jump' those that go in the righthand lane but are going straight on. you'll have seen them; the ones with the smug look on their faces and the led boots.
Roundabouts annoy me for a number of reasons. Few people indicate and those that do seem to get it wrong, few people use the correct lane: left hand lane for left and straight on, right hand lane for turning right; it's not difficult. but the one thing that annoys me more than that are the people who think that aroundabout is the place to 'overtake' or 'queue jump' those that go in the righthand lane but are going straight on. you'll have seen them; the ones with the smug look on their faces and the led boots.
-5
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