Submitted 3 weeks ago by TriflingToad@sh.itjust.works to [deleted]
I use it literally everywhere out of habit, I got made fun of for using it when pulling out of my moms driveway once lol
Always. Driveway? Blinkers. Parking? Blinkers. On an empty road with no one in sight? Believe it or not, blinkers.
It’s a muscle memory. When you get used to using them, you just do. If you have exceptions, you might forget it when it matters.
100% the same. The only time I don’t is leaving my driveway. We’re corner house on a quiet cul-de-sac so it just doesn’t occur to me.
People leaving roundabouts on the first exit who don’t indicate before entering are the ones that annoy me most. They will watch me waiting to enter or slow down to stop as they approach and literally not lift a finger to help.
Roundabout = indicator you donkey. There’s literally no legal way to use one without it (here anyway).
Oh god. I absolutely hate ppl who don’t signal off roundabouts. I drive a car but also a motorbike, I’ve learned not to trust at roundabouts due to too many near misses. Fucking pillocks all of em.
My mom tried to tell me that when you turn left through an American roundabout, you enter and leave with your left blinker blinking.
I was a child the last time I had to sit quietly on such a big disagreement with her lol. I guess I’m lucky.
I always signal out of roundabouts, but never on. Legally I’m supposed to signal in but that makes no sense to me because of course I’m going to be entering the roundabout, there is never another option.
I’m with you all the way to the final sentence.
Your indicator usage is linked to your mirror usage. If you use indicators in all situations regardless, what you might actually forget to do is look in your mirrors properly, which is more important.
Your first two mentions are fine examples. In the UK at least, using indicators when entering your driveway or a parking space isn’t necessary if no other cars or pedestrians are approaching your car.
Obviously I don’t just use blinkers and go without looking. I would’ve thought that goes without saying
Sometimes when I’m turning a sharp normal turn in a parking lot or ramp, I’ll instinctively signal, even though there’s no need to.
The people who made fun of you won’t be laughing when they share 50% of the blame during the damage claim phase of an accident.
Yeah, it’s a lot easier to just make it a habit and doing it everywhere instead of overthinking the context.
Yeah. Whoever made fun of you is an idiot.
Yes. Don’t listen to people who tell you not to.
The indicator is for communicating your intent to change the position (which lane you’re in) or direction (turning in or out of a road, parking space, etc.) of your car.
The safest thing you can do as a driver is to be PREDICTABLE to other drivers. The indicator communicates necessary information for other drivers to predict your actions.
Not using one when changing the position or direction of your car is inconsiderate and dangerous to other road users. It is also illegal.
Use them. Please.
Not just to drivers.
There’s nothing more annoying as a pedestrian than a vehicle whose driver has seemingly decided to run into you because they 1) didn’t think to use their signals and 2) mostly just checked for car traffic until you’re right in front of their bumper.
Very much this.
I was hoping to imply that with the phrase “road users” but I wasn’t explicit about it.
Cyclists too. If you can’t keep a cyclist safe you shouldn’t be allowed in a car.
I use it all the time and I judge people who don’t.
Other drivers cannot read minds, so use the blinker.
Its why it’s there in the first place.
Using it 75% of the time is harder than using it all the time, because it means you’re consciously thinking about it each time instead of doing it instinctively.
I used to try to use them 100%, but there are so many situations where it’s completely unwarranted (in my specific driving circumstances). So I guess I default to using my indicators, but I try to use them the right way, i.e. before a lane change rather than after I’ve started to commit.
Also, I used to put on my indicator for a lane change nice and early, but dear god the way these cars warn about your blind spot being occupied, holy shit. Music turns down, loud beeping, it’s madness.
…how else would people around me know what direction I’m about to move 2+ tons of metal???
I can’t stand how often I see people changing lanes or taking turns with ZERO blinker usage. Selfish short sighted fucks.
Use your blinker, return your cart to the corral, and mind your business
Indicators?
Yes, only pillocks don’t use their indicators. They’re an essential method of communication between vehicles and for pedestrians, and an essential safety feature.
I cannot stress this enough, people who don’t use their indicators are massive twats and shouldn’t be on the road.
They’re a danger to themselves and everybody around them.
I read this in a posh British accent.
I remember a driving instructor asking me who I was indicating for when we were practising in a suburb. I couldn't see any other cars but figured that if one appeared they'd want to know my intentions and it would mean it was one less thing to think about.
I fired that instructor.
Turn signals are not optional.
Of course I do. My goal while driving is to be predictable so I can minimize the chances of causing an accident.
Yeah man operating machinery is awesome. Doing it respectful and responsible way is extra satisfying. People really look down on cars but it’s an awesome tech!
Always. Drive predictably it helps.
I get really annoyed when people don’t use them. My psychic powers are terrible and I like to not have people suddenly change lanes in front of me or cut me off on the road.
Blinkers are not just for special occasions or discos!
Making funof someone for doing the responsible thing is childish and stupid.
As long as you are using them to indicate intent you are using them correctly. At worst you are being extra clear to drivers around you. If you don’t use them though, at worst you are an unpredictable driver that might be involved in a crash.
Fuck the people that made fun of you.
Only assholes don’t use their blinkers. Anyone making fun of you for using yours is a selfish turd.
I don’t drive a BMW, so yes.
It has sadly extended to all the more expensive German cars, somehow they think they are better then everyone else
Nah, the blinkers of all German cars are just intentionally broken.
I would think the people buying these expensive cars wouldn’t want to crash them. I guess they do though.
Got my licence a bit over 2 years ago. I ALWAYS use the blinkers. You never know when there’s some other participant in traffic that you don’t notice for which the information of what I’m about to do is important.
It annoys me to no end that a lot of drivers here won’t signal for lane changes or turn offs.
The “on known participant” is a great term for it. I use it alone on my neighborhood turns, particularly at night, because I can’t properly see around the turn. One of them is totally in darkness, situated between street lights. If there’s a pedestrian crossing, I’d like to give them a little warning. One of my cars has stellar fog lights and gives ample sideways light though, so I recommend using them under 40mph for turns
I use my blinker even when turning into my own driveway and the reason is simple:
The signal isn’t for me. It’s for others to know my intentions.
One major thing that makes driving with others safer is predictability and your blinkers can help with that.
I do this just for the habit of turning. I don’t need to waste brain power trying to determine if I need to actually use it or not. It’s just associated with turning.
It’s actually easier to just use it every time. Deciding whether you need to is cognitive load that’s better spent on other things.
This. It should be automatic, and you can't have perfect awareness to always know with 100% certainly if there is another vehicle or pedestrian around which may benefit from that information.
Yes, I use them even if there is nobody around as it’s good to keep the habit. I’ve noticed not many people use them in say a right only lane, but my logic is pedestrians might not know and so you should use it there too.
UK.
I don’t drive a BMW, so yes.
I use them 100% of the time. Which yes, includes my own driveway.
You should train yourself to use them automatically instead of a manual step. Like a reflex.
And if you’re at a light and you plan to turn, you have that blinker going. Even if it’s a long red light, even if you think no one is around.
Even when I’m a pedestrian I fucking hate anyone who doesn’t use a turn signal. Usually I’ll yield to cars because they’re faster, and as an impatient person myself I wonder who’d want to wait six years for someone to walk across whatever but I can’t do that when the idiots don’t use their turn signal.
It’s worse when you’re a pedestrian. If you swerve towards me and expect me to get out of your way you kinda have to tell me where you’re going. But if you walk a lot you get better at judging intentions by the changing speed of the car and distrasting blinkers.
I’ve only been driving for 33 years, but I try to signal every turn.
Because the signals are for those situations where you don’t see something you should have AND those situations where someone else didn’t see something they should have.
Takes a flick of the pinky to do something that could save you thousands of dollars and wasted time, or even save someone’s life. So why not do it?
Its the only way you can signal your intentions. Being predictable is the best way to ensure yourself and other from harm on the road. Combine these two and its a no brainer. Always use them.
Only sickos don’t use their blinkers
dota__2@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
use. your. blinkers.
Peppycito@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
If you turn your wheel, use your blinker.
Zagorath@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
No. Not when the road curves. Only when changing lanes, turning at an intersection, or pulling out from being parked.
philthi@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Ideally a good 10-20 seconds beforehand.
WolfmanEightySix@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
We say we know people aren’t from our town when they use their indicators going round the market square and the corner after/before it.
kambusha@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Unless you get a BMW. Then you buy the right not to use your blinkers.
VindictiveJudge@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I thought they made that a subscription now.