Do you indicate if there's nobody else around?

[Cryingatthegym]

Hard hitting question of the day...

Was thinking about this yesterday as I drove to my gym which is along a quiet country lane - no other cars around at all but I still indicated as I turned in.

Got me wondering if I'm normal or not? Do you still indicate even if there's nobody else around to see it?

No as there is no point.

I eve find myself indicating if I am turning and there is literally nowhere else I can go sometimes, if that makes sense? It’s muscle memory as soon as I start to turn my steering wheel sharply.
After reading this thread I’m going to rethink my driving skills…

Those who don't indicate "if there's nobody around", do pedestrians count as someone? Genuine question as I don't drive and wonder often if these drivers are pillocks to other drivers or just me.

Yes, pedestrians very much count.

No, the clues in the name, what to to whom are you indicating something if there's no one there?

Yes. It is an ingrained automatic habit. I don't even have to think about whether to indicate or not, I just do.

Given that so many drivers don't indicate at all, this policy doesn't seem to work.

Yes

Yes

Yes. It’s automatic.

Yes, because there’s always a chance someone is around that I’ve not noticed (eg a cycling teenager in all black with no lights).

I drive a BMW and I don’t even know where the indicator stick is.

Other drivers will read my mind, I am sure of it.

I thought that was Merc drivers? Ah no, those cars all belong to drug barons don’t they?

It would be harder to not indicate than to indicate it's so automatic. Except for the people who never indicate.

Yes I have to let the rabbits know.

Yes. 1) it’s automatic to me to do so 2) it does no harm to anyone or anything. 3) it doesn’t cost anything to do - my battery isn’t going to go flat because I used an indicator and it’s not used anymore diesel to do so. 4) because I hate people who don’t indicate and think they are fairy lights, only to be used at Christmas.

I was taught it's not necessary to indicate if nobody else is around (including pedestrians, cyclists, etc.). I still do it though. It's like an ingrained automatic response from years of driving on busy streets. It's easier to do it than not, somehow.

I still automatically manually switch my indicator off once I've navigated the corner/junction as well. ... If anyone reading this is old enough to remember cars that didn't have all these automatic functions we take for granted nowadays

I usually do. My driving instructor said you never know if you’ve missed a lurking pedestrian who needs to know what you’re doing next.

I’m now in the US and drivers here barely indicate in the middle of heavy traffic - drives me crazy.

I eve find myself indicating if I am turning and there is literally nowhere else I can go sometimes, if that makes sense? It’s muscle memory as soon as I start to turn my steering wheel sharply.

You should be indicating before you start to turn your steering wheel.

I'm another pedestrian who is pissed off at drivers who don't indicate. I want to know where you're going so I know whether it's safe to cross.

Good question.

Better question: Why do so many people now only indicate in the last ten yards, seemingly as they turn the wheel? You're supposed to be giving notice to other road users, not saying what you've just done. I'm seriously starting to think this is another new thing that drivers are actually being taught.

{Pet hate if it wasn't obvious}

No there’s no need to as there’s no one to indicate to.

Yes, I do. So many people don't indicate when they're coming off a roundabout. It's just good manners.

It really pisses me off as a pedestrian when I'm waiting to cross the road and someone doesn't indicate, so I have to wait, just in case. They obviously think I don't matter.

As for the "let pedestrians cross at junctions" rule - what a joke that is. It worked for about a fortnight, before drivers went back to blithely ignoring people waiting to cross.

Forcing yourself to check and make a conscious decision is safer than just being on auto pilot

Yes - partly through habit and partly as there may be someone I can’t see waiting.

I sometimes even indicate when the road bends. There is no downside to being generous with your indicating providing you follow through with the manoevre