Indicating with no one around?

Mycroft H

If you can see that their is nobody around, would you bother?

I sometimes don't if I can see the way is clear and their is no road users. Its like if a tree fell in an empty wood, would anyone hear it fall sort of situation.

/awaits incoming naysayers

thehomeofDob

I always indicate. Just so that it remains a habit. Simple as. I don't see the harm in not indicating if you're 100% sure it's clear though, personal preference.

AltAccount

I don't see the point

Nissan doctor

I find indicating is not something I think about doing, it's as automatic a turning the wheel so IMO it would actually take a purposfull effort to stop myself indicating.

sponge_bob

WHAT!!!!!!!
there is indicators on cars:eek:

jhegarty

Well I drive a BMW so.....

flyingsnail

sponge_bob wrote: »

WHAT!!!!!!!
there is indicators on cars:eek:

No, pretty sure that they are an optional extra on most cars, and you know the Irish hate optional extras



I don’t really find my self thinking about it, I just do it. I would actually have to think about it not to do it.

Mycroft H

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I find indicating is not something I think about doing, it's as automatic a turning the wheel so IMO it would actually take a purposfull effort to stop myself indicating.

Its a good point.

Habitual thing just to pop the indicator on when approaching a junction. Thinking about putting it on, rather then just out of pure habit is a good thing to me anyway. "Do I really need to indicate in this situation"

Tabnabs

One of life's guilty little pleasures, not indicating in certain circumstances, when there is absolutely no-one around...

hardCopy

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I find indicating is not something I think about doing, it's as automatic a turning the wheel so IMO it would actually take a purposfull effort to stop myself indicating.

Yep, when I moved from a Motorbike to a Push-bike a few years ago I kept automatically reaching for the indicator instead of hand-signalling, it's just part of the turning process.

S28382

I stick em on out of habit I don't even think about it

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

BX 19 wrote: »

Habitual thing just to pop the indicator on when approaching a junction. Thinking about putting it on, rather then just out of pure habit is a good thing to me anyway. "Do I really need to indicate in this situation"

I think it's a good thing that I don't have to think about indicating - one less thing to think about. It's just instinctive - my OH would at times comment that there was no need in some circumstance but what's the harm. Better safe with an habitual trait than sorry for forgetting.

cjt156

Always. Its just an automatic part of the manoeuvre, same as blind-spot checking even though you "know" there's nothing there.

Lemming

A common excuse for having caused a crash; "I never saw it coming" or words to that effect. Just because you can't see anybody doesn't mean there isn't someone around.

And as others have said; indicating as instinctive behaviour is a good practice imo. If you start second guessing when you need to indicate, it'll be the one time that you really needed to indicate & didn't bother that leads to an accident.

Besides of which; moving your finger a sixth of an inch is hardly a taxing task I would have thought

scurnane

BX 19 wrote: »

If you can see that their is nobody around, would you bother?

I sometimes don't if I can see the way is clear and their is no road users. Its like if a tree fell in an empty wood, would anyone hear it fall sort of situation.

/awaits incoming naysayers

I think its safer to always indicate. I reckon a lot of accidents happen because things "come out of nowhere".

Edit:Lemming beat me to it

slave1

I always indicate whenever and wherever, keeps up the habit

Mycroft H

scurnane wrote: »

I think its safer to always indicate. I reckon a lot of accidents happen because things "come out of nowhere".

Edit:Lemming beat me to it

Things don't come out of nowhere. Poor observation leads to things "coming out of nowhere"

Zubeneschamali

If you think about when to indicate, you're doing it wrong.

Mycroft H

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

If you think about when to indicate, you're doing it wrong.

Have a watch of that...

Whats wrong with thinking of your information your providing to other road users? Rather then let habit take over?

Green Diesel

Always indicate, it's part of my reflexes.

It's like putting on a seatbelt for me, I can't even just turn around in the driveway without putting it on, feel naked without it.

b318isp

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

If you think about when to indicate, you're doing it wrong.

Not quite. As part of defensive driver training, situational awareness and active decision making is encouraged. It is not quite taboo to decide that there is no one to benefit from indicating and then refraining from doing so. Granted, few drivers demonstrate situational awareness nor active decision making - especially on roundabouts.

GKiraly

Ya I would, automatic habit, same as Nissan doctor, it would take a purposeful effort not to and I dont see the point in that.

While we're on it, as a nation, we're not the best when it comes to logic and indicators - weavin in 2 lanes without them, using them as confirming intent as opposed to signaling intent (those that like to put on indicator just as they take the turn and not second beforehand)
It would appear many people consider indicators a nice bonus feature for decoration in a car.

Lemming

BX 19 wrote: »

Things don't come out of nowhere. Poor observation leads to things "coming out of nowhere"

So is there anybody around or not? ...

Even with the best of observation, mistakes can, do, and unfortunately will still happen, or your brain was just that little bit slow to process what your eyes just saw a second ago because you're having an 'off' day.

Mycroft H

Lemming wrote: »

So is there anybody around or not? ...

What

If their is nobody around, well there is nobody around. The notion that things just appear out of the blue is just bollocks. Again, it boils down to observation.

If their is a situation where my observation is restricted, I'll take precautions.

MugMugs

Not use them ? But sure why not just the button in the dash with that fancy triangle thing and leave them all on all the time. Saves you having to think about it.

Also, Generally Corolla / Starlet drivers have no choice to leave either the left or rights ones on the whole way up the Motorway. I think it's part of the propulsion aspect of the engine.

Mugs

no1beemerfan

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I find indicating is not something I think about doing, it's as automatic a turning the wheel so IMO it would actually take a purposfull effort to stop myself indicating.

I'm the same....sure I indicate coming out my own driveway sometimes! :pac:

langdang

BX 19 wrote: »

What

If their is nobody around, well there is nobody around. The notion that things just appear out of the blue is just bollocks. Again, it boils down to observation.

If their is a situation where my observation is restricted, I'll take precautions.

100% agree.



Indicating being a habit is all well and good, but being aware of who and what is around you is a better habit.
If there's no one around, what's the point? It's MSM, not SMM or SM?
Even if there is someone around (vaguely like, somewhere in the distance), but your indicating provides them no useful info, why bother?

It's a courtesy not a commandment?

The flip side is the fvckers who see you waiting to get onto a roundabout, or approaching one, but won't indicate that they are taking the first exit. GRRRR! :mad:

Lemming

BX 19 wrote: »

What

If their is nobody around, well there is nobody around. The notion that things just appear out of the blue is just bollocks. Again, it boils down to observation.

If their is a situation where my observation is restricted, I'll take precautions.

Rhetorical question is rhetorical.

Edit: To touch on something langdang said; and I've spotted this behaviour before - there are those people who seem to think that indicating means they are automatically entitled to pull right out in front of you. That's just ignorance. Using indicators os good habit, but you still need to know what's around you before you carry out a manoeuvre; just in case anyone seems to think that I'm advocating blind-habit usage of indicators as a god-given right to carry out a manoeuvre.

Also, langdang you're spot on about that roundabout behaviour. Drives me nuts.

Idleater

What is the difference between assessing the current environment and making a conscious decision not to indicate and automatically indicating in every manoeuvre?

Personally (as a ROSPA) I do the former, because indicating signals intent, not right of way and the assumption that indicating predicates a manoeuvre negates the information conveyed by the signal.

For instance, first in the queue in the left turn only lane what does indicating left convey? That you are turning left (that's great news because you are only allowed to do that) ? That you are planning to pull in to the left in the near future? That you absent mindedly left the indicator on since you moved into the lane and have no idea of your surroundings? Etc etc.

Zubeneschamali

Idleater wrote: »

For instance, first in the queue in the left turn only lane what does indicating left convey?

That you intend to turn left.

langdang

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

That you intend to turn left.

The information content of that signal is Zero. Why bother?

Zubeneschamali

langdang wrote: »

The information content of that signal is Zero. Why bother?

It's not a bother, it's a reflex.

It's like co-ordinating the clutch, gearstick, handbrake and accellerator in a hillstart. Learners think about this stuff; I don't even notice my hand/feet moving, I just drive off.

pred racer

If there is no one around and i think of it i dont use them, but its normally just a reflex.

In paris, virtually nobody uses indicators! So i dont bother either, but once i get home im an indicatorer:p again......Weird.

Chuck Stone

I think I'm more than aware enough to choose to use my indicators or not.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Idleater wrote: »

For instance, first in the queue in the left turn only lane what does indicating left convey? .

On my advanced motoring course (and refreshers) it was stated that it was a legal requirement and a good habit.

Zubeneschamali

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I think I'm more than aware enough to choose to use my indicators or not.

If you indicate all the time as a reflex, you cause no issues for anyone else by indicating when no-one is around.

If you decide not to indicate because you think no-ones around, and you are wrong even once, you may cause an accident and be 100% at fault.

scurnane

BX 19 wrote: »

Things don't come out of nowhere. Poor observation leads to things "coming out of nowhere"

Thats what I meant - hence the "inverted commas"

Where To

When no one is around I only let them blink once so as to save the bulbs:cool:








:pac:

langdang

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

If you decide not to indicate because you think no-ones around, and you are wrong even once, you may cause an accident and be 100% at fault.

Friday afternoon brain shutdown is happening to me here, not arguing with you but - how would failure to indicate cause an accident? Failure to observe would cause one, but I can't see how using the indicator would improve your observation?

Chuck Stone

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

If you indicate all the time as a reflex, you cause no issues for anyone else by indicating when no-one is around.

This doesn't make much sense. If there's nobody around and you don't indicate there is no issue.

If you decide not to indicate because you think no-ones around, and you are wrong even once, you may cause an accident and be 100% at fault.

I would argue that making a conscious decision not to indicate when there's nobody else around is evidence that you are paying attention to your surroundings.

Zubeneschamali

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I would argue that making a conscious decision not to indicate when there's nobody else around is evidence that you are paying attention to your surroundings.

And who cares about this "evidence" when no-one is around?

Chuck Stone

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

And who cares about this "evidence" when no-one is around?

Why should anyone care about it?

CianRyan

I know I've not been driving very long so my input may not be worth much but even I don't think about indicating any more, as others have said, it's just part of the turning process.
And that's with about a month of driving.

scurnane

langdang wrote: »

Friday afternoon brain shutdown is happening to me here, not arguing with you but - how would failure to indicate cause an accident? Failure to observe would cause one, but I can't see how using the indicator would improve your observation?

It wouldnt improve your observation but it would alert others of your intent. I sometimes ride a motorbike and I am always wary if a driver ahead of me slows down at a junction without indicating.
Thought process:
is there something on the road i cant see - child, oil, cow dung
are they preparing to turn left - if so i'll keep right to avoid them
are they preparing to turn right - if so i'll keep to the left to avoid them

I know Im in the minority but its a bug bearer of mine (along with roundabouts)
The failure to indicate causes unnecessary confusion for other people, whether the driver has observed them or not.

Zubeneschamali

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Why should anyone care about it?

Apparently it's worth the bother of not indicating when you think no-ones around to produce this evidence that you are thinking about whether anyone is around.

Which is kind of pointless, since no-one but you will know about this "evidence".

langdang

scurnane wrote: »

It wouldnt improve your observation but it would alert others of your intent. I sometimes ride a motorbike and I am always wary if a driver ahead of me slows down at a junction without indicating.
Thought process:
is there something on the road i cant see - child, oil, cow dung
are they preparing to turn left - if so i'll keep right to avoid them
are they preparing to turn right - if so i'll keep to the left to avoid them

I know Im in the minority but its a bug bearer of mine (along with roundabouts)
The failure to indicate causes unnecessary confusion for other people, whether the driver has observed them or not.

Loud pipes save lives lad

It's still the observation that's important, the indicator means nothing except that the bulb is working, as I'm sure you know - in your case you need to regard everyone else as a homicidal imbecile, whereas car drivers can get away with just assuming other drivers are oblivious or actively malignant imbeciles.

scurnane

langdang wrote: »

Loud pipes save lives lad

It's still the observation that's important, the indicator means nothing except that the bulb is working, as I'm sure you know - in your case you need to regard everyone else as a homicidal imbecile, whereas car drivers can get away with just assuming other drivers are oblivious or actively malignant imbeciles.

tell me about it - you're preaching to the converted on the whole imbecile thing.
but an indicator still helps to focus the mind even more to prepare for a manouvre. unless its been left on for the last half mile!

Chuck Stone

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Apparently it's worth the bother of not indicating when you think no-ones around to produce this evidence that you are thinking about whether anyone is around.

I don't find it bothersome. I look in my rear view mirrors, I look ahead, and if there are no cars around then not indicating is not affecting anyone.

The only information that can be taken from that is that I'm aware of when there are cars near me and when there are not.

Fwiw I would indicate more instinctively during the day because it's busy but at night I sometimes don't indicate, for example when going straight on at a roundabout on a dual carriageway, because I can see there are no cars or pedestrians for hundreds of meters.

Zubeneschamali

Chuck Stone wrote: »

at night I sometimes don't indicate, for example when going straight on at a roundabout on a dual carriageway, because I can see there are no cars or pedestrians for hundreds of meters.

Eh, no you can't.

Chuck Stone

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Eh, no you can't.

Eh, as much as indicators wouldn't make any difference, yes.

_Kaiser_

Force of habit, I do it as a a reflex myself.

My indicators will flash 3 times with a light flick of the stalk so more often than not I use that if coming off a roundabout or changing lanes on the motorway, but my experience has taught me that when driving (particularly in Dublin) it's not enough to look, indicate and then move if ok to do so, but you need to add a second or two for everyone to "get used to the idea" as I call it.

99% of people will then slow/flash to let you in and we all continue on our way (with the obligatory "thank you" flash of hazards - something that bugs me when people don't do it). You'll still get the occasional asshole who'll actually speed up to close a gap or the type who are staring rigidly out the front window and not looking anywhere else, but thankfully they're still a minority.

Driving in the country though (for example Navan), is a completely different ball game. There no one will give you an inch so a little more "persuasive" driving is required.