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.
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.
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.
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’m lucky
Unlike other people using roundabouts the same time as use
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.
Sometimes when I’m turning a sharp normal turn in a parking lot or ramp, I’ll instinctively signal, even though there’s no need to.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I use it 100% of the time when the rules of traffic prompts me to use it.
Within a small single-lane housing area: I blink.
When exiting my driveway and the road reaches a dead end 100 meters in the one direction, so it should be very obvious which way I’ll go: I blink.
The roundabout in town which is so tiny that it looks more like an intersection, and when heading straight through it: I blink.
It’s so much better to have a habit of blinking and making unambiguous signals than to forget it. It helps with the flow of traffic and probably lets everyone get where they need to go quicker.
It’s better to use your blinkers all the time than 90% of the time.
Making funof someone for doing the responsible thing is childish and stupid.
As long as you are using them to indicate intent you are using them correctly. At worst you are being extra clear to drivers around you. If you don’t use them though, at worst you are an unpredictable driver that might be involved in a crash.
Fuck the people that made fun of you.
P. S I use them any time I do something that isn’t driving straight, i don’t care if there are others around me, if it’s a single lane, if it’s obvious, etc. Every time I stray from a straight line I signal it.
Yes, of course.
Only assholes don’t use their blinkers. Anyone making fun of you for using yours is a selfish turd.
I don’t drive a BMW, so yes, I do use my blinker.
I was just talking about this with a friend. I think bmw drivers driving like douches is maybe the most accurate stereotype I know. It is shocking how often I see a car driving like an asshole and it ends up being a bmw.
Most stereotypes are hilariously inaccurate but that one seems pretty legit lol
I mean, we don’t really notice the BMW drivers who are acting sensibly, and it’s probably the vast majority. But that being said, outside Germany they attract a certain enthusiast demographic that will include a statistically relevant minority who think every trip outside the neighborhood is Gran Turismo.
…how else would people around me know what direction I’m about to move 2+ tons of metal???
I can’t stand how often I see people changing lanes or taking turns with ZERO blinker usage. Selfish short sighted fucks.
Yeah. Whoever made fun of you is an idiot.
I got made fun of for using it when pulling out of my moms driveway once lol
I believe the socially acceptable retort is “if you don’t like my driving, you can get the hell out of the car. If you’re staying, you can shut up”
Using it 75% of the time is harder than using it all the time, because it means you’re consciously thinking about it each time instead of doing it reflexively.
I used to try to use them 100%, but there are so many situations where it’s completely unwarranted (in my specific driving circumstances). So I guess I default to using my indicators, but I try to use them the right way, i.e. before a lane change rather than after I’ve started to commit.
Also, I used to put on my indicator for a lane change nice and early, but dear god the way these cars warn about your blind spot being occupied, holy shit. Music turns down, loud beeping, it’s madness.
I use them 100% of the time. Which yes, includes my own driveway.
You should train yourself to use them automatically instead of a manual step. Like a reflex.
And if you’re at a light and you plan to turn, you have that blinker going. Even if it’s a long red light, even if you think no one is around.
