Indicating & Parked Cars

Hi, bit of a question. I've been told by 2 instructors now that there's no need to indicate out if there's a parked car (on a straight road) if you move out early enough & smoothly - however, in my head the idea that I'm changing road positions (and going over the white line) makes me think that I should indicate. Even if the road is empty I'm mindful that there's a possibility I could have just not seen someone, so I indicate, yet I was pulled up on it tonight.

Thoughts greatly appreciated

The Belcher

Dónal wrote: »

Hi, bit of a question. I've been told by 2 instructors now that there's no need to indicate out if there's a parked car (on a straight road) if you move out early enough & smoothly - however, in my head the idea that I'm changing road positions (and going over the white line) makes me think that I should indicate. Even if the road is empty I'm mindful that there's a possibility I could have just not seen someone, so I indicate, yet I was pulled up on it tonight.

Thoughts greatly appreciated

All depends really, for instance if I was turning right onto a road with parked cars up ahead on the left and no oncoming traffic, I would have anticipated the parked cars while turning and after my turn is completed I would be in a position on the road (without having to swerve right) where there is about a door wide space from the parked cars. In that instance I would not have indicated right to move around the cars as I already anticipated them on the turn and didn't have to adjust my road position on the straight.
If however I was driving down a straight road (keeping in the centre as best I can on the lefthand side of the road) and I see parked cars up ahead of me, a few meters before I get to them I always indicate right so as to warn drivers behind me I'm going to change my position on the road to avoid a potential hazard.

**Timbuk2**

In general it's good practice to indicate right, even if you are moving out early and gradually, and traffic behind you will probably know what you are going to do.

Avoid doing it if there is an upcoming right turn - this may confuse other cars, and could be a 'misleading signal'.

You don't need to signal left after passing the parked cars as it's fairly obvious that you'll return to the normal position.

Alanstrainor

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

In general it's good practice to indicate right, even if you are moving out early and gradually, and traffic behind you will probably know what you are going to do.

Avoid doing it if there is an upcoming right turn - this may confuse other cars, and could be a 'misleading signal'.

You don't need to signal left after passing the parked cars as it's fairly obvious that you'll return to the normal position.

I would probably indicate out too. If you're on a road with cars dotted a long it, where you'd be moving in and out, I would only indicate once. It just saves any confusion. As constantly indicating can confuse things a bit.

kaahooters

im pretty sure that the rules on "showing an intention to turn" were changed this year to state you have to indacate at all turnings, need to see if i can find it.

**Timbuk2**

Also, if you have to wait behind a car for a gap before you can move out and overtake, leave the right indicator on while you wait. It signals to a car that may drive up behind you that you intent to overtake once it's safe - otherwise you might look like you're parked, or going to park, and the driver behind might try and overtake you and the cars (unlikely, but still).