Should cars have a third set of indicators ?

[KW1816]

Ok Don't laugh

Just driving back from lunch and wanted to go straight across a mini-ish roundabout (the sort with a central island and lamp post on it). So Slowed down, checked to the right and then went to go.
So it's at this point a car goes from the left turn and nearly hits me, completed with a 'Why don't you f'ing indicate' and a shake of tatoos

Having lived in Miami where road rage is the number one reason for murder (I might have made that bit up) I've long since given up on getting mad at other drivers so just gave it the english version of the galic shrug

It did make me think though, given that an increasing number of drivers think indicators are optional, is it not about time we had a third set of 'I'm going straight on' indicators, perhaps in the middle of the bonnet, to prevent confusion/misunderstandings at roundabouts, and differentiate between us drivers who indicate and those that can't be bothered.

Anyway - I blame Cherie Bliar

[TiG]

I think you just found a fking idiot. No a going straight on set of indicators is useless. Making people learn to drive would be more benefical

TiG

[directhex]

it's only physically possible to leave a roundabout in one direction - left

so you should only ever find yourself indicating left when preparing to leave a roundabout - similarly, unless you're indicating left, you should NOT leave the roundabout (exceptions can be made for misleading places, e.g. with a road on the left IMMEDIATELY you leave the roundabout)

there's absolutely no reason to throw a "straight on" set of indicators in, since anyone who isn't ALREADY signalling that they're going straight on (by entering the roundabout in the left-hand lane, then indicating left as soon as the next exit is theirs) can't drive & no number of extra lights will fix that

[5lab]

it's only physically possible to leave a roundabout in one direction - left

i'm not sure, when i had a rwd car i used to leave sideways on occasions

[KW1816]

i'm not sure, when i had a rwd car i used to leave sideways on occasions

You're not the only one. I once scared the **** out of the then girlfriend by demonstrating oversteer a little too well Ended up facing the wrong way on the exit road - perfectly parallel parked 1 inch from the kerb. Of course this was in my much younger days, not a scratch on the car but lovely nail marks on the door where she's grabbed it

Back to the subject - we have so many drivers round here that don't bother indicating that people chance it that you're going left without indicating.

With a 'straight on' indicator you could positivley reinforce the fact that you're NOT turning.

[IBM]

Isn't it best to just indicate right until you've passed the first junction and then switch to indicating left...means that everyone knows you're not leaving the roundabout until you finish indicating right and start indicating left....

...doesn't help if it's a crossroad junction of course, where I've often thought it would be useful, but only for people coming from the opposite direction, people on the left and right wouldn't be able to see a centrally placed indicator....

[GFiSH]

I can understand that there are many confusing junctions, for example going straight across at staggered junctions, I was told by my instructor many years ago that you shouldn't indicate onto the main road, but you should when turning off. However there are many people who indicate on both turns or none at all.

Many drivers do see indicating as optional, worst is when they just break and turn off when you're not expecting it or just stopping dead in the middle of the road as they can't turn right yet. I don't think they realise that if other drivres saw them indicating they might get let out at juntions etc...

It's a very annoying aspect of driving, I've only been driving for the lat 6 and a half years and have just got into a habit of indicating whether there are other road users about or not, especially at night when anyone can come out of the darkness.

There's not really anything anyone can do about this, could come up with a 'correct indication' campaign but I don't think it would get very far.

Straight on indicators would not be needed if common sense was applied to driving. If you're at a crossroads and are turning right, how do people coming from te left no this? DO you want to put signals on the left and right side of the car to tell drivers you're going the opposite way, or perhapds reverse lights on the front of the car so people in front of you know you're going backwards. Just needs common sense, not more lights!!!

[directhex]

indicators serve only one purpose - to INDICATE, to other drivers, what you're doing and what your intentions are.

if you're unable to use your indicators, then you're unsable to drive your car, and if you're unable to drive your car, get off the ****ing roads

[TheAnimus]

Am i the only one who thinks they should instead abolish mini-roundabouts?

[5lab]

Am i the only one who thinks they should instead abolish mini-roundabouts?

probably. in some urban areas they're a pretty effective way of managing traffic flow without lights.

[XA04]

No, because the 'going straight forward indicator' is infact not having the indicator on at all.

If your on a roundabout everyone should indicate, even if going straight on you still need to indicate (on a roundabout).

[Howard]

If you're going straight ahead on a mini roundabout, there's no need to indicate at all. The drivers waiting on the left know to wait unless you're indicating left, turning down their road. It's only irritating when you get the occasional wazzock turning left without indicating.

[XA04]

If your turning at the first left on a roundabout, you indicate left - anywhere else, you indicate right, and just before you turn into the road you want to go to, you indicate left. I think you'll find that in the highway code.

[Howard]

If it's a big roundabout, yes. If it's a mini roundabout with two exits then no one usually bothers, lol. In my 18 months of driving I've never seen anyone express their anger at these methods

[KW1816]

So the general feeling is that it's not a good idea

[XA04]

If it's a big roundabout, yes. If it's a mini roundabout with two exits then no one usually bothers, lol. In my 18 months of driving I've never seen anyone express their anger at these methods

Yeah, fair enough, I've noticed that alot too. Nobody goes around them, just through them .