Rare Sight!

[EDDIE51]

I followed a BMW today and the driver was actually using the indicators ! Is this an April fool's joke?

[waterboatman]

The law doesn't apply to beemers, does it?

[mikey4444]

I can't work out if this a wind up or !

If I use my indicators, and there is no one else around, what harm have I caused ? As others have pointed out, just because I can't see any other traffic, it doesn't mean that there IS no other traffic.

[waterboatman]

Well said mikey.

I think it's all a bit tongue in cheek though.

[mikey4444]

I think you may be right Boaty !

But this "I don't need to use my indicators" issue is only too real, in my experience.

[Hopkirk]

I drive for a living and believe me I see plenty of driving that I can criticise. However I won't criticise anyone for indicating 'too much' unless it could mislead.
I think teaching people not to bother at a T junction when noone is seen is a slippery slope as that laziness can easily escalate to not indicating at more vital times.

I suspect the most common thing said after an accident is 'I didn't see you / him / her'

[Zacs-Master]

Indicating should be a conscious decision, not an automatic one.

[wiltsman]

retrocop, it's no longer April 1st, so you can now reveal that your posts yesterday were actually a wind up?

I can't actually believe that you would give so many excuses not to use your indicators. I know that it means having to extend a finger each time but it's not so hard to do though, is it?

How about trying to use indicators in every situation, say initially for a month? Hopefully at the end of that time you'll be converted to using this sensible routine permanently. Just think, no more having to assess the situation of getting your brain to work out the decision whether to indicate or not to indicate - just do it. You know it makes sense!

The nations road users will thank you.

[wiltsman]

Sorry EDDIE for hijacking your light hearted post.

[retrocop]

Proves the old adage. "You can criticise a drivers spouse but don't dare criticise their driving". :-)

[douglas9401]

The BMW was, obviously, stolen.

[wiltsman]

I think it was Harry S Truman that said:
'It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts'.

[retrocop]

Use of signals

A surprising amount of driving tests are failed due to the overuse, lack of or incorrect use of signals. Even what might appear a minor issue such as forgetting to cancel a signal after exiting a roundabout can easily fail a driving test.
http://www.drivingtesttips.biz/when-to-signal-when-driving.html

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Indicator Lights

Left rear indicator

Indicator lights are amber in colour and can be located at the front, the rear and sometimes at the side of the car on both the left and right hand sides. You use your indicators to show an intended change of direction, whether turning left or right or moving out into traffic.

You only need to use your indicators if other road users (vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians) are visible.

http://www.driving-test-success.com/driving-articles/signaling.htm

[bhg481]

I ask again, if you're supposed to use them when other road users are visible, how do we know that BMW drivers don't use them? If we're there, they should be using them.

[wiltsman]

// You only need to use your indicators if other road users (vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians) are visible. //

retro - We all know that the majority of drivers, cocooned in their vehicles, do not give a damn about using their indicators. They couldn't care less about whether other road users are visible or not, and even if they did care, how do they 100 per cent know there are no other road users around. Unless you're driving through the Scottish Highlands at four in the morning, it's highly likely that one of Britains 35 million drivers might just be in the close vicinity. It's possible!

[bhg481]

As far as "not using indicators to let the advanced examiner know that you'd checked and found no other vehicles present" is concerned, when I took my basic driving test I was advised by my instructor to adjust the interior mirror so that I had to almost sit on the examiner's knee to use it and to change down a gear every time I approached traffic lights or a zebra crossing, just to let the examiner know that I'd seen them and that I was using my mirror.

[whiskeryron]

// wiltsman By the way, I can use my indicators using just one finger - is it a more complex system on other cars? //

[EDDIE51]

Just been cut up by a BMW that indicated to turn right and then when straight on and nearly wiped me off the road!. Looks like it was an April fool
(or is it me that's the 'fool')

[Baldric]

Hope you're not driving under the influence of AB Eddie.

[whiskeryron]

// wiltsman By the way, I can use my indicators using just one finger - is it a more complex system on other cars? // I can reveal that using the one finger is also useful for indicating that telling another driver not to use a mobile phone whilst driving is none of my f-ing business.

[gness]

And that applies when taking the Advanced Course, Bhg.....I used my indicators and made it obvious I was using my mirrors too......and that wasn't an excuse to sit on the instructor/examiner's knee before you start!....☺