This is one of my pet hates.
The biggest issue with indicators is that the majority of the motoring public give an indicator as a signal of acheivement rather thana signal of intent.
A signal has limited meanings. "I intend to turn left, I intend to move to the left, I intend to move to the left and stop" or "I intend to turn right or I intend to move to the right"
They do not mean I am doing it regardless or I have done it.
How many times have you seen one or 2 flashes of someones indicator before they turn or change position? They put it on as an after thought.
If going straight ahead at a mini roundabout, many give a eft hand signal! Why?
Take the roundabout out and it is nothing more than a crossroads, what is the signal for going straight ahead at a crossroads? There isn't one, but it causes confusion and is not a signal of intent because by the time they have got to the 3rd or 4th flash they are already a hundred yards up the road.
Same when turning right at a roundabout. Right signal given, fair enough, but why the left? (And I am taking a conventional 3 exit roundabout) You have already indicated your intent t turn right at the roundabout, so at the point where you wuld give te left hand signal, just cancel it because it avoids the issue of forgetting to cancel, and if there is a junction just beyond the roundabout, it avoids the possibility of traffic potentially pulling out on you as you clear the roundabout.
Why do riders and drivers indicate to retrn to the left after an overtake? You are returning to your rightfull position on the road so what does it achieve?
When moving off from the kerb why do so many indicate? You aint going to move if there is traffic behind you, so who are you telling?
I could give many other examples, but the point I am making that drivers and riders are blody awfull in the use of their indicators in general. They give the wrong signal at the wrong time or they o not give out a signal of intention at all
I fail riders on the advanced test for poor, improper and/or incorrect use of indicators, and in my job, I usually recommend that the if the question of the use if indicators is questioned, it can have an affect on the outcome as improper use (which includes giving the wrong signal) can be construed as contributory negligence.
Put it to the test yourself and ask yourself the questions next time you are out in either the car or on the bike
Can I give the correct signal at the correct time?
Can I give the correct signal of intent?
Is there anyone around who will benefit from the signal I am considering giving?
If the answer is no, then no point in giving one, but.... Be prepared to revise that plan as the answers to the questions may change as the situation develops.
How many of you have turned into your driveway in the early hours of the morning having been out working or whatever, and you as a force of habit indicate to turn? Who are you signaling to? The local tom cat?
Poor and incorrect signalling is down to poor education and laziness on the part of the motoring public (both 4 wheels and 2) and like most bad habits, they are not prepared to do anything about it because as mentioned by others, the majority think they are a good or excellent driver when the reality is that most are an awful or bad driver.
The bottom line is, rather than just signal because that is what you you were taught typical DSA style to do, use the advanced riders favourite word "Consider"
