Is indicating optional these days?

Its many years since I passed my driving test, and in those days we did hand signals as well (........ and......er, before you ask, no not those sort of hand signals )  but so many (younger?) drivers when approaching, or on a roundabout, give you no clue as to where they are going, especially annoying when you slow right down and come to a halt to give way to the right coming traffic only for them to shoot off on the previous exit. Sometimes I swear they are laughing for having made me stop!
Is it me or is indicating optional these days?

When I passed my test I was told to always indicate even if no one else is around just as a matter of course. The idea being that one day you might not see someone but have indicated out of habit and prevented an accident. 
My apprentice has just started riding a bike and tells me that they now say you should only indicate when necessary but the problem with that is, who decides when it's necessary?

hmmm.... that has me worried..... the Boy Racer will (maybe?) think ......"it's only some old fart in a motorhome so why bother?

I do a School Run (disabled kids) in a minibus at over 3 meters in height and length you'd think we were fairly visible but we seem to have acquired Harry Potters invisibility cloak. Generally those that do indicate it seems to be some kind of afterthought.

I think it is a new game 'guess where I am going'. Very time consuming especially on roundabouts while waiting to enter and waiting to see which exit someone is using   and that's just one example.

Jaytee wrote:I think it is a new game 'guess where I am going'. Very time consuming especially on roundabouts while waiting to enter and waiting to see which exit someone is using   and that's just one example.

It's nothing new. My driving instructor - nearly 50 years ago now, told me not to indicate on roundabouts until I was almost at my exit. The reason being exactly what you say - if they don't know where you're going, they'll wait. If you indicate too soon, they'll pull out in front of you and say it's your fault. Some things stick in your mind.

Frank

I was also taught to do the hand signals and I always signal it is a matter of habit ,also courtesy  my hubby on the other hand drives me mad, literally   very often he doesn`t indicate, when I say why not, answer "I am in the correct lane they should know where I am going " I always considered him am excellent driver, now a days I am begining to wonder, is it an age thing and does age make you lazy ?

I think they call that lane disapline now only need to indicate if changing lanes or exiting. I tend to indicate no confusion that way.

I indicate even if there's nobody to see it.

We have one large roundabout near here where there is also a slip road for Homebase and a slip road for Tesco. I would estimate that less than half the people indicate to leave the roundabout. I came round it every day to and from work and frequently started to pull out because someone coming round was hugging the island, they'd then suddenly whizz straight across in front of me to come off without indicating and glare at me as if it was my fault.

No wonder there are so many silly accidents if people aren't taught properly these days.

My main gripe is people coming onto a dual carriageway or motorway without pausing at the line, just push in and make everyone else slow down.

Nora

I love that roundabout Nora, get cut up several times a week. There used to be arrows on the tarmac to tell you which lane to be in as you approach from the Wrexham direction but these were removed when the roundabout was altered for the homebase. When I complained to council, I was told they were not aware of any problems on that roundabout. The Wylfa roundabout further back is also a nightmare with 5 exits (6 if you include the petrol station), no-one knows which lane to be in.

Hi
I find the lack of signals annoying. The Highway code says

"Signals and position
When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
  
• keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.
  

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
  
• keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
  
• signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
  

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout
  
• you should not normally need to signal on approach
  
• stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
  
• signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
  

When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it."

I was taught that you should always signal but I believe that now you are taught to take a conscious decision on the need to signal, not do it on autopilot.

Louise

daisy mae wrote:………... "I am in the correct lane they should know where I am going " I always considered him am excellent driver, ………….

Aha!

I knew there was someone out there who also knows how to drive and "Yes" he is still an excellent driver!!    

Obviously, signalling is mandatory when changing direction to enter or leave a public highway; but I honestly believe that a lot of people are unaware of when they should be used.
 
Therefore, at junctions, cross-roads and roundabouts, apart from indicating the intention of the driver the position of the vehicle should ALWAYS conform to the intended path which the vehicle will take.

As a general rule (i.e. where no contrary markings are laid down on the road surface):

o  At junctions and cross-roads the vehicle should be positioned:
   o  In the left hand lane (or close to the left hand kerb) if you are turning left or if you are going straight ahead.
   o  In the right hand lane (or close to the central white line) if you are turning right.
If there is only one lane then the vehicle should be positioned central to the carriageway if going straight ahead.

o  When approaching roundabouts the vehicle should be positioned:
   o  In the left hand lane (or close to the left-hand kerb) if you are turning left or going straight ahead.
   o  In the right-hand lane (or close to the central white line) if you are turning right.
When there are two lanes on the approach it is permissible for drivers who are going straight ahead to be in the right-hand lane; but if there is only one outlet from the roundabout the onus is on them to give way to vehicles on their left.

As instructed over 50 years ago I ONLY indicate when I am about to LEAVE a roundabout.  The reason given by my driving instructor was that the position of my vehicle as I entered the roundabout let drivers alongside and immediately behind me know what I intended to do; but the people who join me on the roundabout don't know what that position was so hence the need to signal.

Hope this helps (or starts further discussion   )!     

Best regards,
 

Ah but dutto, he doesn`t always signal when leaving a roundabout, and when at a junction , another thing he says  " they know where I am going by the way my wheels are turned "

 Have you ever sat at a junction possibly for a while because of heavy traffic, you can then turn right or left  when there is a gap in the traffic, depending where you are going, then on your right you see a lone vehicle travelling fast NOT  indicating, so you wait, don`t know where it is going,  at the last minute it turns into the road that you are trying to exit, by which  could have got out of if he/she was indicating,  then there are streams of traffic and you have to wait again. Have this every time out of our lane on to a main road. Grrrrr

I think at a roundabout if going straight on you go in the left hand lane if there are two lanes. See highway code

Rule 185

Sorry I should add unless road markings state other.

Can I join in?

I know the argument about the correct use of indicators at roundabouts hasn't gained any agreement from any of the 'so-called' experts.
I could never understand quite what the ambiguity was that necessitated the use of a right-hand indicator. After all, a roundabout is only a road with a continuous right-hand bend. On what other road would you use a right-hand indicator to show that you are not turning left?  
As a consequence of bringing in the right-hand indicator use, more and more drivers now consider its use 'mandatory' at all islands. They therefore turn on their right indicator upon approach and turn it off after they exit.
The 'guidance' just exchanged one set of issues for another.

Derek

daisy mae wrote:Ah but dutto, he doesn`t always signal when leaving a roundabout, and when at a junction , another thing he says  " they know where I am going by the way my wheels are turned "

 Have you ever sat at a junction possibly for a while because of heavy traffic, you can then turn right or left  when there is a gap in the traffic, depending where you are going, then on your right you see a lone vehicle travelling fast NOT  indicating, so you wait, don`t know where it is going,  at the last minute it turns into the road that you are trying to exit, by which  could have got out of if he/she was indicating,  then there are streams of traffic and you have to wait again. Have this every time out of our lane on to a main road. Grrrrr

Actually, the police started it back in the late 60's.

A man coming towards a police car sat at a junction had his left hand indicator on and the police car pulled out.  The man carried on and "T" Boned the police car.

Not wishing to admit liability (i.e. they should NEVER have pulled out in front of a car until they were SURE that it was turning left) they took him to court and secured a conviction for Careless Driving.

Since then I have been as precise as my brain allows in making sure that everyone knows what I am doing and whenever possible I make eye-contact with other drivers, especially at junctions and even more so on the bike, motorbike or quad!!

Shame on hubby though for distressing you.    I suggest that you start fining him every time her forgets to signal.   

Best regards,
 

Good idea Dutto,  wouldn`t work though as he is always right.  in his eyes.

Hi!

I have only ever found 4 roundabouts in this country! finns think they spoil the look of the road and the old bill cant give speeding fines if you have to keep slowing down to wait for other traffic. Instead we have the dreaded flashing amber light with the triangle facing the other direction (so you cant see what it means)   keeps you on your heels though and makes you aware.

Regards

MF