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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why it's so bloody difficult for drivers to use their poxy indicators

36 replies

boundarybabe · 20/10/2009 09:59

I know this has been done before. But DS and I were nearly just run over by some twat white van man who apparantly doesn't think that indicating applies to him.

It's a busy turning with no crossing without going half a mile out of my way and you can't always wait for a break in the traffic - you have to wait for someone who isn't indicting to turn, wait for them to start passing the turning and then take your chances. Obviously this doesn't take into account dickheads who decide not to indicate and then turn wide. Sorry for the rant, but I'm still shaking.

OP posts:
LouIsAWeetbixKid · 20/10/2009 15:54

Apparently indicators are optional extras on cars these days. I spend my days avoiding being run over.

MorrisZapp · 20/10/2009 16:00

Agree, it makes me mad. I always point at the indicators and mouth 'put a fucking signal on!'.

I had a taxi driver literally attempt to run me over when I dared criticise his lack of signalling. People can be such utter arseholes when they get behind the wheel - and they'd be the first to have a go at anybody else's driving

saadia · 20/10/2009 16:03

YANBU times a thousand - and it's such a simple thing to do.

MorningTownRide · 20/10/2009 16:12

Yes yes and yes again.

My favourite drivers are the ones who have already committed to turning ,then: 'Oo there's a car behind me, better indicate!'

Never mind the poor pedestrian half way across the road thinking they are about to be squashed.

If I had a quid for everytime I manically swore at a retreating car that didn;t indicate I could buy a car!!

reikizen · 20/10/2009 16:19

And on roundabouts. People are such crap drivers that they don't know how to indicate on a roundabout that they don't bother and you have to be bloody psychic to avoid being killed!

Fleecy · 20/10/2009 16:22

YANBU at all. My mum never indicates. It drives (sorry about the pun) me insane when I'm a passenger in her car.

I tell her she should and she says what's the point as other drivers should never assume anyway. Which is right to a degree - I try to wait until I can see they're turning or not - but as I point out to her, it's supposed to be an INDICATION of where you're going. The clue's in the name, mother!

Grrrrrrr I hate it. Just Bloody Indicate! Am now feeling all riled just thinking about it

Stayingscarygirl · 20/10/2009 16:28

I thought that if something was in the Highway Code, that gave it the force of law, Fleecy. And if your mum is involved in an accident caused by her lack of indication, she could be done for dangerous driving - but I'm betting you've said this already. If she's like my mum, there's no way she'll listen to her dd because they still see us as the child to their adult, therefore they know best. Sorry - I have a cold and feeling poorly makes me rather cynical.

It infuriates me too - so many people who see the lights on the corners of their car as being purely for decorative purposes - grrrrrr.

JaMmRocks · 20/10/2009 16:32

YANBU - even when I'm driving I find this annoying.

Round here there's a lot of elderly drivers who seem to need to indicate around corners. I find that amusing and irritating in equal measure

ClaireDeLoon · 20/10/2009 16:34

It's amazing how many drivers think indicating is optional if it's just pedestrians around.

YANBU

LittleHarrysMum · 20/10/2009 16:46

YANBU

Although also hate drivers changing/changed lanes and they then don't turn their indicators OFF!!! Especially when I am being unusually nice and letting them in!!

BLEEPyouYOUbleepingBLEEP · 20/10/2009 17:05

And why would drivers have to use their indicators?? It's a widely known fact that all pedestrians are psychic

This was pssg me off today, so I'm glad to see your rant

ninagleams · 20/10/2009 17:12

YANBU I see people turning without indicating everyday! It makes me gggrrrrgghhhh.

prettyfly1 · 20/10/2009 17:20

me too. grrrr. Today I also hate people who think that indicating that they want to pull away from the kerb in traffic means they can force their 4 by 4 in the way of mine without even a thank you.

Sidge · 20/10/2009 17:21

I followed a fairly new car for about 3 miles recently, he didn't use his indicators once despite junctions, roundabouts etc.

I ended up next to him at the petrol station so went over and said "I've been behind you for the last few miles and I think you need to take your car back to the dealer, it seems to have an electrical fault."

"What's wrong?" says Crap Driver in alarm.

"Well the indicators don't seem to be working" says me.

He humphed off and ignored me so he knew he'd been driving like a cock.

GrimmaTheNome · 20/10/2009 17:32

well done sidge

southeastastra · 20/10/2009 17:34

it's so dangerous, i wish the police would be more hot on stopping them.

last minute indicators are just as bad.

what is the universal sign language for 'indicate you moron' someone on here said to sort of move your hand in a beaky way but i've done that and just look mad.

BLEEPyouYOUbleepingBLEEP · 20/10/2009 17:35

Well done there sidge. Usually if you do make drivers 'aware' of their lack of indicators you get the finger and a load of abuse, as if it's your fault they're crap drivers. It's hardly an effort to flick them on.

bernadetteoflourdes · 20/10/2009 18:25

This is a good and true rant. I may be being ageist but I think elderly drivers are some of the worst offenders in this category. My old dad and even older aunt dont indicate. Even though they both know the mirror signal manouvre mantra, they think that braking is a signal. Ipolitely interject whilst hanging on for dear life that BRAKING IS A BLOODY MANOUVRE! Perhaps they think not signalling saves a little gas. Anyway be very careful if you are following a dear white haired individual on a route past a Garden Centre, in my experience they tend to use the Emergency Stop option,very scary1

Spillage21 · 20/10/2009 18:30

Sidge, am also constantly amazed that a lot of new cars don't appear to have working indicators.

Stayingscarygirl · 22/10/2009 10:01

Or crystal balls as standard, Spillage!

Well done to you Sidge!!

ln1981 · 22/10/2009 10:13

well done Sidge!
Have often been in that situation but never had the balls to do it!

This is one of my bug bears both as a pedestrian and as a driver. I know that im not a perfect driver but I always indicate, even if its just pedestrians as I know what its like to stand seemingly for days waiting to cross cos no one can be bloody bothered to flick the things on!! And IME it seems to be taxi drivers (especially ones doing drop ofs at my oldests school) that are the worst! And the looks you get back when you scowl at them...

Astrid28 · 22/10/2009 10:13

I'm with you reikizen - roundabouts are the worst! You sit there and wait to get onto one while every bugger whizzes by takes the exit before you without indicating!! Madness

Nancy66 · 22/10/2009 10:18

I hate non indicators too - and, yes, white van man is always guilty. Although that's usually because they're on their mobile phones and need their one free hand to steer.

AvrilH · 22/10/2009 10:19

I am always suspicious of those who rant on and on about cyclists - IME these are people who don't use their indicators.

mananny · 22/10/2009 10:20

I learnt to drive in a huge city in the USA. There it appear indicators are optional and are mainly used to decoarate your very big SUV as you hurtle down the highway flashing "left" but going nowhere.