Indicators, the lost art?

[jezer]

Why have so many motorists forgotten how to use these? As both a cyclist and a driver I find myself hesitating at junctions and roundabouts to see what drivers will do. In my car I make a point of indicating, but it's rare to see the following driver doing the same.

[[XAP]Bob]

Completely lost. Self cancelling indicators weren't a positive step....

Nearly got into trouble at a roundabout the other day. Car approaching in the left hand lane (of 2) from my right, indicating left - so I look to keep speed as I turn right.

The roundabout (from his viewpoint) only has left or straight on.

He was going straight on, fortunately I made my final check, slammed on the brakes and lifted the rear wheel. Cue one confused looking motorist, think he was looking forward to the bragging rights.

[thidwick]

A disappearing art, I agree.
The daily commute seems to cause loss of indicator function.
I'm convinced that many drivers thought process is something like: " I always go this way at this roundabout or junction. Everyone knows that. Why would I need to indicate?"

[Paulatic]

Even the police cars around here don't appear to have indicators fitted to them. So bloody annoying waiting to find out vehicles directions when you're not a mind reader.

[Spinners]

Yes, Mrs. Spinners and myself have noticed this in recent months. Even on motorways some folk regard it as being optional

[jezer]

Perhaps a re-test for drivers every five years or so, as I've posted before?

[oneten]

Once heard a frustrated road user's shouted response to someone not indicating: "Sorry mate - I'm not very good at guessing games!"

[reohn2]

Why have so many motorists forgotten how to use these? As both a cyclist and a driver I find myself hesitating at junctions and roundabouts to see what drivers will do. In my car I make a point of indicating, but it's rare to see the following driver doing the same.

Annoying innit?
Idiots aren't they?

When I'm driving,tailgating is another,with young women being the vast majority of offenders IME,particularly in wet weather .

[Spinners]

Once heard a frustrated road user's shouted response to someone not indicating: "Sorry mate - I'm not very good at guessing games!"

I use, "Yeah, don't bother indicating mate... I'm psychic!"

[eileithyia]

Indicators?? Aren't they optional extras?????

[TonyR]

http://www.bbspot.com/News/2003/11/bmw.html

[mig]

yes i see plenty of these on a daily basis too. i do however find that a car with an uncancelled indicator to be equally confusing and dangerous.

[661-Pete]

I have a local junction with TLs, which I often pass, where I usually go straight on, but motorists can only turn left or right; straight on is a cycle path. Nearly always motorists won't bother to indicate, and since there is only width for one approach lane, I'm left totally in the dark as to their intentions. When there used to be an ASL at these lights, I would sometimes position myself centrally in the box in front of the vehicle, then put out both my arms like an umpire signalling 'wide'. Then I'd point to the indicators on the car. But they usually didn't get the message, they were probably baffled. Drivers are slow to catch on.

They painted out the ASL and feeder lane there, some time ago. Probably just as well. Overtaking or undertaking a vehicle when you don't know which way it will turn, can be hazardous.

[beardy]

I have noticed this over the past few years and quick roadside surveys (by myself) show that those indicating at some specific places (where it is definitely needed by other traffic in order to make progress) is below 50%.

There is however something worse, that when they do indicate they do it incorrectly which is far more dangerous. You are expecting the lack of an indicator to be an indication of nothing (rather than confirmation of going ahead) but an applied indicator is clearly telling you something, which you may foolishly believe!

[pwa]

My impression is that lack of indicating is an annoying problem that has been with us as long as I have been driving (since 1977). It was bad then and it is about the same now. Paralysis of the indicator finger. Oh well, I refuse to become agitated on the subject.