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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask if you don’t use indicators…

144 replies

Merryoldgoat · 25/02/2022 19:27

…why the fuck not?

Seriously. The number of twats tonight turning in and out of junctions with no signal.

Grrrr.

OP posts:
Alfredsothermistress · 25/02/2022 21:54

I, as a pedestrian, almost got run over by a car driver after they had turned into the road I was walking across before they turned.

I didnt notice if they indicated. But I was close enough to touch their car.

They ignored the new rules. It was only my own wits that saved me.

Indicators are in the Highway Code. Too many people are displaying an ability to forget the Highway Code in a time frame that is a lot shorter than it took them to learn it.

PerseverancePays · 25/02/2022 21:58

Looking forward to warmer weather when I can drive with the windows down and shout 'INDICATE!' Sometimes I also add 'YOU MORON!' It doesn't seem to be part of driver instruction any more.

PurpleDaysAreHereAgain · 25/02/2022 22:01

We live in a rural area where there are 2 large towns and a bunch of little villages. When I asked this question of a long term resident once he said in complete seriousness; 'Why? We all know where everyone else is going!'.

But it drives me crackers. And don't get me started on the people who indicate the wrong way on roundabouts.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 25/02/2022 22:03

@PerseverancePays

Looking forward to warmer weather when I can drive with the windows down and shout 'INDICATE!' Sometimes I also add 'YOU MORON!' It doesn't seem to be part of driver instruction any more.
I feel like you might be my driving twin.
OP posts:
CarrotSticks2 · 25/02/2022 22:05

Pisses me off so much. Please just indicate

If no ones around of course it doesn't matter, but that clearly isn't what is being talked about on this thread as if we have noticed you werent indicating then there was clearly someone around.

Again you can't rely on indicators and should also look at the cars maneuvers, position etc but it does give an 'indication'

My other pet peeve is drivers who indicate on say a motorway and just assume you will let them out or they can move even if there's no space

spotcheck · 25/02/2022 22:11

While we're at it, can we all swear at people who follow too closely?

BusinessMindThoughts · 25/02/2022 22:13

Their answer was no, in fact all these pictures show, is that the car’s indicator light is working. Their point being, of course, in a transparently PA way, that you can’t presume the actions of a car/driver from their indicator lights. Due to all the reasons stated above by prev posters.

I remember my driving instructor giving me a (kind) bollocking for making a turn that assumed another driver was going to do what he was indicating. I still remember that and wait for people to do what they indicate, but it doesn't change the fact that people should still indicate their intentions!

mrsnoodle55 · 25/02/2022 22:21

@BusinessMindThoughts yes, totally agree. Driving with my husband gives me the silent rage; he is a non/last minute indicator perpetrator and it drives me mad. As you say, it is good practice to show your intention to others!

I am trying to hammer this lesson home to my son who is learning to drive. It’s not going well. In his eyes if he crashes into someone who’s indicating then doesn’t turn, it’s not his fault. Clearly that’s of little consolation when his car would inevitably be written off/ people injured etc. I’m still working on this one!

BusinessMindThoughts · 25/02/2022 22:24

In his eyes if he crashes into someone who’s indicating then doesn’t turn, it’s not his fault

It's always the person in the rear who's liable, too...

mytwocats · 25/02/2022 22:26

My biggest complaint about driving today, those who don’t use them. I was taught to use them & never forgotten. The last idiot who didn’t use them caused my write off. It’s the simplest thing to do

youdoyoutoday · 25/02/2022 22:31

Because people are just selfish, arrogant cunts these days!! Mostly audi and BMW drivers without fail!!

eastegg · 25/02/2022 22:41

@mavisgreen

My son was knocked down crossing a road by someone who didn't indicate. He might not have been if they had indicated.
I’m really sorry about that. Flowers
Mountainpika · 25/02/2022 22:46

Passed my test in 1964 (first time) and was very well taught. I use indicators. Many others don't seem to have them on their vehicles. I often feel like doing what my brother did some years ago. Asked someone who hadn't indicated if he knew his indicator wasn't working.

secretsqizzle · 25/02/2022 22:51

NC for obvious reasons.

Not indicating is a recognised and deliberate surveillance/ counter-surveillance technique to deter followers. Leaving the exit at the very last minute giving no advanced notice.

It is also a well recognised technique used by complete wankers who don't know how to drive safely.

Sadly... despite my employment putting me firmly in the former camp, doing it on auto pilot on the way to Sainsburys puts me firmly in the second, according to DH.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 25/02/2022 22:52

@secretsqizzle

The lady with her kids on the back in a Nissan Cube was deffo not on surveillance.

OP posts:
eastegg · 25/02/2022 22:55

It says it all that you’re in London OP. I am too, and I have been on the receiving end of driving so shocking I wouldn’t believe it if it hadn’t happened right in front of me. Couple of quick examples:

Travelling normally, lights on, indicating to turn left and a car coming the other way turned right directly across my path so I had to suddenly stop. I mean what?

Waiting to turn right out of a side road onto a busy main road. I’m first in line with a few cars behind me. Waiting a good few seconds because it’s busy. Some knob in the queue decides he knows better, overtakes me to also turn right. Just as there was a gap which enabled me to start turning. Still not quite sure how a collision was avoided, I just must have managed to notice what the knob was doing and stop in time.

Some PP said calm down. No fucking way am I calming down about people who seem to go out of their way to endanger lives.

Solmum1964 · 25/02/2022 23:06

[quote Merryoldgoat]@Solmum1964

Did you actually read the post?[/quote]
I thought I had - obviously not well enough.

secretsqizzle · 25/02/2022 23:07

[quote Merryoldgoat]@secretsqizzle

The lady with her kids on the back in a Nissan Cube was deffo not on surveillance.[/quote]
Perhaps not... 🤣.. but maybe she had been and just 'forgot' to switch back on to mum-mode... ..

Whitefire · 25/02/2022 23:26

@youdoyoutoday

Because people are just selfish, arrogant cunts these days!! Mostly audi and BMW drivers without fail!!
Yeah, whatevs. Anyway see my previous post about the rubbish BMW indicator design and the Audi one works perfectly fine.
WomblingWilma · 25/02/2022 23:28

I’m outside London but I’ve noticed this more and more over the last 10 years or so. Right now it’s epidemic!

It’s probably 50:50 to drivers who actually do. I was thinking that’s it either that we’ve got so bloody lazy as a society spending the vast majority of our time sitting on our arses staring at screens or they’ve got their right hand on the steering wheel and their phones are in their left hand so they can’t actually use the indicators Hmm.

I’m old school and indicate automatically no matter if no one’s behind me. I often have to reach over and turn DHs indicator off if he doesn’t after a turn. You can hear it’s still going so there’s no excuse for that either!

I actually honk honk honk at people now as it’s so bloody irritating. Especially when the car coming from your right at a roundabout turns left into your road without indicating. I can judge position of car but it’s so bloody rude! At least it might wake them up.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 25/02/2022 23:30

Sadly DH does this if he doesn't think it matters. Really pisses me off

Theunamedcat · 25/02/2022 23:31

Literally everyone knows where I'm going obviously 🙄

JK I do actually use them can't always find the time on a mini roundabout by me as I usually have something bearing down on my bumper and someone else trying to take my front off but as we are all going to school to get the kids we all know where we are going

PuttingOutFires · 25/02/2022 23:35

I always use mine.
I had a driving instructor once who told me I only needed to use them if there were other road users visible. I had 2 lessons in total with her.

Maybe she taught lots of people?!

oviraptor21 · 25/02/2022 23:39

@inheritancetrack

Oh, you're in London. Say no more. You're stuffed
Newcastle is worse. Nightmare road layouts and I swear that nobody at all, except for me, indicates.
WomblingWilma · 25/02/2022 23:40

And don’t get me started on people cutting corners and going over the lanes because they can’t be arsed to turn the steering wheel properly or have their phone in their hand more likely,

I live in a town that has one of the highest number of roundabouts in the UK, it’s a bloody nightmare!