Highway Code - drivers don't bother to indicate

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.

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.

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!

First thing that comes to my mind regarding not bothering to indicate is bmw drivers...

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

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.

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.

Maybe its indicative of the levels of laziness, ignorance and stupidity that seem to be epidemic these days but indicating is not rocket science. You signal to make your intentions clear to other road users. Easy.
Why do the hard-of-thinking have trouble with this concept? Oh,right - it requires awareness, courtesy and half a clue as to what is going on.

Good morning Mallory (or is it Mallory)?

I admit that I had thought it was a failure to indicate in that situation. Now, recalling back to when I did a hill start on my test. The whole indication thing came up when doing this during lessons and admit I didn't fail or get any minors when I did it on my test. Just shows how things like this can be easily forgotten... though can't quite see how indicating can be forgotten all together.

I have to say that when I did my PCV test a few years ago it opened my eyes up to how bad some drivers are, especially how they treat larger vehicles, which has changed the way I drive for sure. I tend to just roll my eyes when people have a go at bus and lorry drivers as usually they haven't a clue until they get behind the wheel of one but that's another gripe. And as I mention this, the coach I did my training in has just pulled up outside the office window! It was an ex MoD Dennis Javelin as well.

To be honest if I see someone indicating, I sometimes wait till they start to make that manoeuvre before I make mine, false indicating can be worse, an example here is waiting to come out at an island with some-one indicating to come off at the exit before my entrance, only to realise that the indication is actualy for the exit after my entrance, good job I waited,
About time that you should be able to buy a small DVR unit with cabled camera at the top of your windscreen, with a big save button on it which when pressed, saves the last minute of recording which you can then upload to the fuzz, a few years of these being used by the public would see driving standards improve, and before anyone gets back, I am not the best driver on the road, but try my best.

Hmm, seems there's another Mallory on the boards now. Thought I was seeing things for a minute..."When did I post that??" I've been cloned...At least this other Mallory can spell and use punctuation!

Anyway. Yes I indicate when there's nobody around, but it's purely habit. Often I feel stupid for doing so but I could have worse habits so what the hell.

Opposite where I live, there's a road which leads out onto a busy curved road. The amount of people who don't bother indicating when they're coming out of there is astounding. Its especially frustrating and dangerous when I'm standing there holding my 6wk old daughter in her carseat (gotta cross this road to get to my car) and some pillock doesn't indicate they're turning right, meaning I risk crossing the road only to have them mow me down. I shouted at a driver the other day only to get 'flagged' in response.

Youthful Griper morning to you,

That is OK and am you are quite correct, there are far too many that don't bother to indicate at all.

The parking scenario... to sit there with your indicator on whilst traffic is flowing by is a test failure. Indicating from the side of the road makes other drivers hesitant. The correct procedure is to sit there, be patient, wait until the traffic is clear and pull out, no need to indicate. I have failed many a driver as I have had to take action and knock off their indicator.

As an examiner for the military, I examine drivers on every class of military and civilian vehicles from personal light goods, trucks to Challenger 2 tanks.