Submitted 1 day 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
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.
as a pedestrian i have to say that i never use my blinker.
joke aside, there’s not much that aggravates me more than drivers not using their signals when they can turn either left or right, but cannot continue forward, like near the street i live in that i frequently have to cross. since they HAVE to turn, i have to wait for them to either remember that they have turn signals, or wait until they have enlightened me about their decision by making them a fact.
don’t be an ass, use your turn signals to make your intentions known for the weaker parties on the road.
Your eyes must be really dry
Sure. It’s better to develop this habit and use them automatically, without thinking. Sometimes there are no cars around, but pedestrians want to know your intentions too. And even if you don’t see anyone, it doesn’t mean there’s nobody around.
Sometimes when I’m feeling adventurous, I will change lanes without using a turn signal (only when I am 99% sure there is no one around). For the other 99% of the time when I am feeling non adventurous, I will use my turn signals.
If you ever think you are useless, remember people are paid to install turn signals in new Lexuses
If a BMW has a turn signal on, rest assured, it was purchased in that condition.
I’m the road a lot as a cyclist. I’d estimate that at least a quarter of vehicles rarely or never signal.
Ah, but do you follow the rules as well? Ride with traffic? Give hand signals for turns?
Not picking on you, but as a truck driver, I see far too many people riding against traffic, all over the middle of the road, and generally creating their own demise.
I never get bent about other people using them when they don’t need to. It’s real fucking old sitting at a busy light where I could have gone five times if someone would have had a moment to flick a switch.
I drive a BMW
Yes and that’s how it should be. It shouldn’t even be conscious. I signal into and out of parking spaces, I signal every lane change, hell I signal for sharp corners sometimes.
It seems to me if you are choosing to signal or not, then the use of turn signals isn’t that heavily ingrained. Before I turn the wheel I’m instinctively touching the signal lever.
Keep up the good work!
I would rather overuse it than under use it. Funnily enough I do use mine in turn only lanes too, it’s just background noise to me at this point, but I never used it while pulling out of a low traffic suburban/rural house.
Yes, even in clearly marked turn only lanes. I wish more people were ticketed for not using them.
use. your. blinkers.
If you turn your wheel, use your blinker.
No. Not when the road curves. Only when changing lanes, turning at an intersection, or pulling out from being parked.
Ideally a good 10-20 seconds beforehand.
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.
Unless you get a BMW. Then you buy the right not to use your blinkers.
I thought they made that a subscription now.
All the time. To the point of if I don’t use it I really kinda have a “Shit, forgot my signal” moment.
That said I don’t get too bent out of shape about other people signaling unless it’s these two situations: making a tight lane change, or with a speed differential where I’m overtaking. Basically just short of cutting me off. Signal and I can compensate. Cut over and fuck you. Second is braking before signaling a turn, say into a driveway or side street. IDK what the hell they teach in driver’s ed these days but we got drilled that you signal first and then brake because the signal is a warning to the driver behind you that you’re gonna slow for a turn and gives them time to prepare for what you’re gonna do. Be predictable. Seems like 3/4 time people just hit their brakes in the middle of the lane leaving you wondering wtf they’re doing or if they’re just an idiot.
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.
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
I have never used it backing up. That’s just weird.
Turn signals are cool. But let’s ignore the fact I live in a very rural area and there is often no one within miles of me when driving. In that case, who am I going to signal to? That suicidal deer in the ditch? That’s the last SOB I want to have any clue about where I’m going. But anywhere I meet or see traffic I do use them. And definitely the once a month trip I make to a real town.
I do not, as a rule, place any great amount of faith in turn signals. And that paranoia has saved me more than once. Far too often I have seen a driver with a turn signal blinking merrily blow past me either straight ahead or turn in the opposite direction. Had I believed those signals, I would have been tee-boned.
The only thing I believe in is the direction your steer tires are turned. Turns out your vehicle will go in the direction they are pointing. Any of you new drivers, this is an excellent safe driving tip. Pay attention to the steer tires. Those tires will tell you the truth about the real intentions of another driver.
In any case always remember-- it’s just as easy to be dead being dead right as it is being dead wrong. Be safe out there…
I don’t drive often, living in a city and therefore not owning a car. But when I drive in the countryside, I use my blinkers whether there’s someone around or not. Just like I stop at red lights whether there’s someone else or not, etc. I just do what’s supposed to be done. Not having to wonder if there are others is one less thing to thing about.
Yes, and I really wish cops would aggressive ticket every motherfucker who doesn’t. ESPECIALLY the fucking morons who switch lanes without them, but when they’re in the turning lane with literal no other option, THEN they fucking find their blinker.
Like hello fuckwit, I’m not a damn psychic, but thank you so fucking much for using that blinker in the least important place of everywhere your dumb ass drove.
There is 0 scenario where a blinker should be used that I won’t use it, and fuck anybody who doesn’t use theirs. If you can’t handle the simple act of flicking a stick with your finger, you sure as fuck shouldn’t be able to operate a land torpedo.
I just wish people would use it on roundabouts and not use it until after they pass anything that comes before their intended turn.
consider: some us states have no information about Roundabouts in their entire driver manuals let alone their tests.
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 do, but I am slightly discouraged from doing so by the drivers in my area. People are always so terrified of not being the first waiting at the next red light, they see a turn signal as a warning to ‘speed up and go past this car before they can get ahead of you.’
I live in Atlanta so no. If I turn my blinker on that means they need to block me so I just shoehorn my way into every turn and lane change.
Yes, in Texas a turn signal is a challenge to other drivers.
I always signal in roads but rarely in parking lots or driveways unless I’m trying to let others know I’m waiting for a parking spot.
Use your blinker, return your cart to the corral, and mind your business
Obsessively. I’ve been driving German autos since college, including BMW’s and most BMW owners are jerks. The only exception is when I hung out with the local BMW club one summer. They drive crazy fast, but are some of the most courteous drivers on the road.
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.
I use it all the time and I judge people who don’t.
Yeah. Whoever made fun of you is an idiot.
Other drivers cannot read minds, so use the blinker.
Its why it’s there in the first place.
Always. Drive predictably it helps.
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.
the_riviera_kid@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Only assholes don’t use their blinkers. Anyone making fun of you for using yours is a selfish turd.