Reply to: Road Rage!

[Spacecadet]

I've heard about this "roadcraft" thing before. If it actually exists then it is complete gibberish. If "...there is no one to signal to, then don't signal"!! What kind of professional driving trainer would assume that a human being could possibly know with any certainty whether there is "no one to signal to"?

Eyes

[dang65]

Another one to add to the list. This happens to me quite routinely in this town, and happened again today:

You are driving along and spot a parking space ahead on the left. You indicate and slow down, then stop just past the parking space and change into reverse ready for a bit of parallel parking. Meanwhile, the car behind you drives right up your arse! I usually just start reversing as if I haven't noticed them. One guy was beeping at me, so I carried on reversing as if I hadn't noticed him or heard him. He started backing up.

[dang65]

I've gone for all of them. Hint: checkboxes instead of radio buttons mean you can select more than one

Yes, I see. That has left the "poll" rather unenlightening though. In fact, at the time of posting this, my rogue vote for "not indicating" has put "not indicating" in the lead by one vote.

[dang65]

It probably is still in roadcraft... i'll check when i get back home
The thing about indicating is that it should come after you have already checked your surroundings... i.e. Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre.
If, after checking the who else is around you a signal isn't needed Either because
there is no one to signal to
or there would be absolutely no action needed on their part
or the signal may be confusing
or the signal would be wasted

Then don't signal

I've heard about this "roadcraft" thing before. If it actually exists then it is complete gibberish. If "...there is no one to signal to, then don't signal"!! What kind of professional driving trainer would assume that a human being could possibly know with any certainty whether there is "no one to signal to"?

[Flubster]

Not very PC, but

1. Women drivers
2. Learner drivers
3. 'Just passed their test' drivers
4. Foreign drivers
5. Lorry/white van drivers
6. Taxi drivers
and lastly
7. Cyclists/motor cyclists

[Zippy]

I've chosen all of them and I'd like to add "scything across three lanes of the motorway to get to the exit cos you can't be bothered to plan ahead you stupid git".

Still breathing ....

[shelby68]

Can we add not indicating on roundabouts as a sub set of indicating or worse still cutting across the inside lane for an exit on a roundabout from the outside lane without indicating.

[Menelaus]

And ... breathe ...

[Lumiere]

What about parking tickets ?

[Spacecadet]

Don't disagree but...

Years ago back in about '77 Roadcraft used to describe indicating as optional in certain circumstances - though I doubt they do now. The analysis was that you should make a consious decision of whether or not you needed to indicate - i.e who you were indicating to. If you did decide that indication was required then whatever you were intending could be potentially unsafe - i.e. you might be placing some reliance of those you are indicating to having to take some action as part of your manouvere. If you are relying on people taking specific action then the manouvere is potentially inherently dangerous or inconsiderate and perhaps should be recontemplated.

It probably is still in roadcraft... i'll check when i get back home
The thing about indicating is that it should come after you have already checked your surroundings... i.e. Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre.
If, after checking the who else is around you a signal isn't needed Either because
there is no one to signal to
or there would be absolutely no action needed on their part
or the signal may be confusing
or the signal would be wasted

Then don't signal

A good example is when overtaking a lorry on the motorway. Whilst in lane 1, checking mirrors shows some cars approaching from the rear but still a little distance off. So you indicate then pull into lane 2. After you've passed the lorry, the other cars are still a comfortable distance away and unlikely to be contemplating a move into lane 3 to pass you, Lane 1 is clear and you're easily outpacing the truck so a signal indicating your desire to pull back in to lane 1 would be wasted.
What is important is that you've checked the surroundings and thought about the importance of the signal in that circumstance and then made a conscious decision that a signal isn't necessary.

Just as bad as the drivers who never signal are those who signal when its far too late i.e. they're either already turning/changing lanes or about 2 nano seconds before they turn.
You should signal in enough time to give other drivers enough time to see the signal and adjust their driving accordingly, like slowing down so you can make the left turn without having them right up your chuff.
And braking is part of the manoeuvre so make sure the indicators are on before you start to slow down!

[ASB]

I've gone for "not indicating". It's a basic requirement of driving but so many people seem to think it's optional. You have to assume that those people consider looking in the mirror to be optional as well, so they change lanes on the motorway using some kind of Jedi force to detect a gap. It's really strange how widespread it is, and also how it seems to be most common in massive saloon cars and SUVs... the types of vehicles whose drivers are most likely to go into a rage about other people's driving.

Don't disagree but...

Years ago back in about '77 Roadcraft used to describe indicating as optional in certain circumstances - though I doubt they do now. The analysis was that you should make a consious decision of whether or not you needed to indicate - i.e who you were indicating to. If you did decide that indication was required then whatever you were intending could be potentially unsafe - i.e. you might be placing some reliance of those you are indicating to having to take some action as part of your manouvere. If you are relying on people taking specific action then the manouvere is potentially inherently dangerous or inconsiderate and perhaps should be recontemplated.

[NickFitz]

I've gone for "not indicating".

I've gone for all of them. Hint: checkboxes instead of radio buttons mean you can select more than one

[RichardCranium]

The school run drivers.

Women in firkin great baby crushing tanks that only ever do 200 miles a year, and most of the time they spend in the car is spent on double-yellow lines or zebra crossing zig-zags, parked up, waiting for the AndyW option to come out of school.

[Churchill]

What about rear fog lights in rain?

[dang65]

I've gone for "not indicating". It's a basic requirement of driving but so many people seem to think it's optional. You have to assume that those people consider looking in the mirror to be optional as well, so they change lanes on the motorway using some kind of Jedi force to detect a gap. It's really strange how widespread it is, and also how it seems to be most common in massive saloon cars and SUVs... the types of vehicles whose drivers are most likely to go into a rage about other people's driving.