Indicator signals - to use or not to use?

Question

I've been reading in the motoring press that 'good' drivers who are alert and aware only use their indicators when necessary and that 'bad' drivers signal all the time, even when there is no other road user around and this means they are less aware, and probably use their indicator as a lazer beam regardless of other traffic.

I've always considered this attitude not only to be daft but sanctimonious too, but seemingly it's the official view, and you can fail your driving test if you signal for no good reason.

Personally I prefer people who give signals.After all, you may be out of their sight line but still affected.

What do you guys think?

Answer 1

Always signal, it's just good practise, but always cancel immediately after your manoeuvre.

Please remember though that they are indicators and not confirmers, they mean "this is what I will do when the way is clear" or "can I move across in front of you please?".

Not "this is what I am going to do whether you like it or not"

Answer 2

The idea is that you consider any effect your intended manoeuvre might have on anyone else around, whether it's another road user or that pedestrian thinking about crossing the road. If it's appropriate you then give a signal before starting your manoeuvre.



Giving a signal when there's nobody who could possibly benefit from it tends to indicate that you haven't in fact done your assessment about the effect of your manoeuvre, which is why "automatic" signalling is frowned upon. It's a lesser "offence" though than not giving a signal when it IS appropriate.



As already said, there may be times when there is no-one within your sight at that precise time but someone might appear while you're at it. In that case it would be prudent to give a signal so they know immediately what you're up to. I had this discussion once with a Supervising Examiner, and he agreed with my premise. He said "That's fair enough, it shows you've thought about the possibilities . . ."

Answer 3

most folks fail to signal intentions and that leads to accidents, I always signal probably too much but so far have been driving since 1968 without a collision. I tend to be a defensive driver , that is I assume all other drivers with only a traffic police car being the exception to be driven by complete idiots. that way I anticipate stupid actions and have avoided many accidents by being Ready to respond to drivers sudden Lane change, cutting across and so on without any signals.

Answer 4

I agree with you. When I was in the cops (overseas) I got into the habit of always signalling. But this was officially a 'fail' - nevertheless I still feel that one is not perfect & could miss another party. Best to be safe rather than sorry and I continue this to this day, rightly or wrongly.

Answer 5

I always check my mirror before I signal and I still signal even if there is no-one behind / in front of me. I think there is a chance if you only signal when you think it is 'necessary' you could end up forgetting altogether and be like those drivers that seem to use telepathy.....

Answer 6

signalling when nessecary would show (like pacifically when doing ur driving test) that you are taking note of whats on all around you, although it dosent kill 2 signal when nothings round, it apprarantly counts as a minor if u do that in the test lol

Answer 7

The D.S.A. set the driving test, and is the only "official" driving test in the UK. Advance drivers have already sat the D.S.A. test and another organisations test as well. It is common practice for advanced drivers (ad) not to signal where no one is going to benefit. On your DSA test if no one is going to benefit your signal then the highway code does say that you don't always need to signal. In fact you could fail if you gave to many signals. Unnecessary signals, badly timed signals can make you fail. I had one pupil who had been taught by her dad, and she came to me just a few weeks before her test. She would signal for anything, overtaking parked cars, signal to move back in, signal to move back out, signal to move back in. One day I decided to try and show her the error of her ways. We drove along a stretch of road that had many junctions on the left. For about 3 miles of this road there are around 23 junctions. I tried to tell her that sometimes signals could be misleading, "but my dad said" was her reply. SO of we went. It started off quite well, she remembered not to signal to move back into her normal driving position. Then it happened, she signalled to overtake a parked bus, passed it and as she looked in her mirror she signalled to move back in and as she was about 20 metres from a junction with a car waiting to come out, out it came. She screamed at him about his stupidity and he could have caused an accident etc.... it was only after I told her that she had her left indicator on as she approached the junction and that HE assumed that she was turning.

After a few days practice she got rid of that bad habit and passed her test first time.

I've sat in on a test for one of my pupils who's dad is a traffic police driving instructor and this lad didn't signal at junctions on at least 2 occassions and still passed. The examiner asked him why he didn't signal and the boy replied there was no one around me at the time.

As I teach both the D.S.A. test and advance driving techniques I can interchange my driving style for both tests ( not easy sometimes).

I also use some AD techniques for my DSA pupils, I want them to survive on the roads nowadays and if it helps them, so be it.



Remember this, Drive like you did on the day you passed your test and you can't go wrong.

Answer 8

Well the idea behind indicators is to indicate the direction you are looking to take. So if there is nobody there to see the signal, then there is no need to use them.

Ja.

Answer 9

What is the point in indicating when there is no-one to see you?

You should look, and if necessary, indicate. Indicating without looking tends to make you lazy, and not look out for trouble.

Answer 10

I think they have it backwards! its the good drivers who always signal.

always signaling will keep you in the habit of doing it, so when cars are around you just do it as second nature.

Answer 11

The law states that you are required to signal lane changes!

Answer 12

Always indicate: that you can't see anyone doesn't mean they can't see you. And, of course, indicate BEFORE you brake.

Answer 13

are you dislexic did you read that article sdrawkcab lol its required for all lane changes and even if there are no other cars on the road, hell its required for pulling out of your driveway or store!! its the law in america regaurdless of the state your in