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
The only reason I won’t possibly use it is when I’m in a turn only lane at a red light and don’t want to listen to it for 3 minutes
Most people I find only use it 75% of the time at best.
I’m 2.5 years into driving and am curious if it’s just what semi-new drivers do or if I’m the odd one out.
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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.
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
Why would somebody forget to check their mirrors more often if they use turn signals?
It doesn’t logically follow to me.
100% the same. I never even think about it. It’s just baked into my brain.
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.
Not being preachy…If you’re taking the first exit (turning right essentially if you drive on the right or turning left of you drive on the left) you should be indicating as you enter. It allows traffic from other lanes to enter the roundabout without stopping to figure out where you’re going.
Yes, I do it only if I’m taking the first exit.
I always do. Feels wrong not to. Just get in the habit of ALWAYS using them and it becomes a no-brainer. It’s just a good habit to have.
I felt dumb using it at a roundabout because nobody does there, then I looked it up and found it’s something you’re supposed to do. No harm in over communicating when you’re in control of a few thousands pounds of metal.
It’s always good to communicate on the road, the more information the better. I’m not sure why anyone would give you a hard time about this, unless they’re insecure (about what, I couldn’t analyze). Signals tell everyone around you what you’re about to do. Keep up the good work.
use. your. blinkers.
Unless you get a BMW. Then you buy the right not to use your blinkers.
I thought they made that a subscription now.
If you turn your wheel, use your blinker.
Ideally a good 10-20 seconds beforehand.
I use it as soon as it’s clear what it means. If there are multiple turns, that might be four seconds so that they don’t expect me to turn early. I’ll typically hit it in the middle of the intersection of the first turn.
If there’s no earlier option to turn, I’ll absolutely leave it on for 10-15 seconds.
Regarding switching lanes I prefer when other driver enable their signal a few seconds just before they do the maneuver. If they enable their blinker too early I don’t know when exactly they will switch lanes which is confusing IMHO.
No. Not when the road curves. Only when changing lanes, turning at an intersection, or pulling out from being parked.
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.
No, I ran out of blinker fluid and the price is too high from the tariffs now.
I don’t drive anymore because I live someplace with transit and sidewalks, but when I drove I always signalled turns. Low effort, high safety.
What kind of person shits on another for using a turn signal? My guess is it is someone who forgets to use it frequently.
It was out of his moms driveway lol I would have made a joking comment too. I use my blinker basically everywhere but I guess there could be more traffic by his moms driveway. 😉
“Every important sideways manoeuvre” is what I learned from my driving instructor. I sometimes even feel a bit bad when I forget to use my indicator.
Can I make a small complaint here that the 3 blinks your car does is way too short to start and finish most actions?
If you’re making a turn push the lever farther and it will keep blinking until the steering wheel starts to return to center. If you’re just edging sideways into the next lane, a little flick will give you the few seconds of blinks and stop, because the wheel doesn’t turn enough for the other system and you might not realize it’s still blinking mile after míle.
I do wish the blinks were a faster tempo, more chances to alert others quickly.
I use it all the time and I judge people who don’t.
I get mad at myself if I don’t turn it on early enough. As I. If I go to change lanes and it only flashes once it really isn’t enough notice for other drivers so I usually bitch at myself.
I may be the only person you meet who road rages against himself.
Other drivers cannot read minds, so use the blinker.
Its why it’s there in the first place.
Mirror, signal, manoeuvre. This is the way.
You forgot the part where you turn your damned head and look beside you.
Please tell me that’s just an oversight, and you’re not one of those.
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.
