Use Your Blinking Indicators! - December 23rd 2006

LET'S HELP TO KEEP THE TRAFFIC MOVING

What is it about Alberta motorists that makes them so reluctant to use their indicators?  Is it that they’re used to driving on roads where there’s no other traffic?  Or are they just not interested in helping other road users?

I often see indicators being used at the last second before a maneuver when the vehicle is already in the turn lane and has slowed almost to a crawl in order to make the turn.  That’s even worse than not using them at all!  It just broadcasts that here is a driver who knows they ought to indicate but they forgot or they’re too busy talking on the phone or something.  If a vehicle is in a turn lane and is not indicating, it could mean they’re about to turn or it could just mean they’re in the wrong lane and haven’t realized it yet.  Either way, if you pull out in front of them you are taking a risk.  So, you have to wait and see what their intentions are before making your move.  This just slows everyone down.

Indicating when you have no intention of turning is fortunately fairly rare.  Often you get some idea that this might happen if they’ve been indicating for some time and are making no other signs that a turn is imminent.

So how should you use your indicators properly?

• When contemplating an overtaking maneuver, first look in your mirror and look over your shoulder to check what’s happening behind you.  If you’re thinking of overtaking and there’s someone behind about to overtake you, stay where you are.  If it’s safe, indicate before pulling out and continue indicating as you pass.  Indicate right as you pull back in so that the vehicle you are passing knows, and anyone coming towards you can see, that you have passed successfully.
• When turning off a main road into a side road or driveway, check your mirror as you approach.  When about 100-200m from the turn (depending on your speed) and before you start slowing down, begin indicating.  Then slow down, move into the correct position and make the turn.
• When turning onto a main road at a stop sign, yield or merge, first check in your mirror and look around you as appropriate.  Begin indicating your intentions before you start to slow or well in advance of a merge.  Keep indicating until the maneuver is completed.
• When changing lanes on a multi lane highway, check your mirror first and do a shoulder check.  If it’s clear, indicate and then change lanes.

Remember that using your indicators is just a signal to others of what you hope to achieve.  It does not give you carte blanche to do something, nor is it a promise that you will make the maneuver.  If the situation changes between indicating and the time to turn, pass or change lanes, cancel the signal and proceed.

Correct use of indicators allows all traffic to proceed smoothly thus reducing delays, congestion and pollution.  Please get into the habit and practice even when there’s no other traffic around. If you should turn without indicating and a driver waiting to pull out shakes his fist at you, it's probably me. Not that you'll notice of course, or even if you do you'll probably have no idea what you did wrong.