Do you use your blinker in a car?

Comments

• prunerye@slrpnk.net ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  In my area, most drivers don’t start the turn signal until they’ve reached the intersection or have already started the turn. Infuriates me to no end. This is also true for left turns at red lights; they don’t activate their turn signals until they stop, sometimes not even until the green light, so you have no chance to change lanes before they block you.

  source
• mazzilius_marsti@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Either you use it or you dont. It is good to use it though, make it a good habit. Plus, I want to announce to those around me especially when I am backing up into a garage: I am here, do not stand in my way. If you dont use it, obviously you can cause accidents.

  That being said, there is a 3rd group who I absolutely fucking despised:

  Those who use it just to show the cops or whoever the fuck around that “look, I use blinkers”

  When changing lane or enter a turn, uually this type of driver will go Click-Turn-Click. No head movements whatsoever. Also turning the signal off immediately like the sound of it can cause them brain cancer or something.

  source
• 2ugly2live@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Yes. I always use them. I hate when people don’t. Oh, so you needed to come over? I would have slowed down if you told me. What are you slowing down for? Move- Oh. You’re turning. Wish I would have known that. Dang, I need to pull out and make this turn. Let me wait until that car passes… Oh, they’re turning.

  It’s such a small thing that makes driving safer for you and the people around you.

  source

  • drmoose@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Currently I’m staying in Thailand the road culture here is fascinating. There are very few actual rules that people follow but its all about speed and projecting what are you doing so signals and everything is a big part of road culture here despite many drivers don’t really knowing road theory.

    For example if you drive up a curvy mountain road you horn on the turn slowly to project that you’re driving there.

    source

    • 2ugly2live@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      That’s so incredibly thoughtful. If you honk at the wrong person in the US, you might end up on a Tshirt.

      source
• Zip2@feddit.uk ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Always, because I’m not a lazy git or self-centered arsehole.

  source
• Barking@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I get really annoyed when people don’t use them. My psychic powers are terrible and I like to not have people suddenly change lanes in front of me or cut me off on the road.

  Blinkers are not just for special occasions or discos!

  source
• POTOOOOOOOO@reddthat.com ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Where I’m going is none of your business.

  In all seriousness I’m pretty sure I always do. Even when no one is around. Just good habits.

  source
• TempermentalAnomaly@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Anyone use when backing out of the driveway or parking spot?

  source

  • warbond@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    No, but only because I rarely pull out of a driveway or parking spot into any sort of traffic. Parallel parked on a road, though, sure.

    source
• Papanca@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  So grateful to everyone in the comments who use them. Thank you all! Where i live most don’t use them. I don’t get why; aren’t these people annoyed when others don’t use the blinker?

  source

  • sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    If no one uses it, how will they ever learn what it’s like to be enlightened?

    source
• NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Audi driver huh? For most they’re non-optional when about to manoeuvre, except in the turn-only lane situation you mentioned where you don’t need it (it’d actually potentially signal a lane change).

  source

  • WolfmanEightySix@piefed.social ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    BMWs in the U.K.

    source

    • Apepollo11@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      I’d group Audi drivers and BMW drivers into the same class of obvious driving.

      Just yesterday I saw an Audi swoop from the slow lane straight into the fast last between two tightly-spaced cars in the middle lane. Without indicating.

      From a technical point of view, I’ll admit it was an impressively small gap to sneak through, but it probably gave the second car in the middle lane a heart attack.

      source

      • -> View More Comments
• Flamekebab@piefed.social ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I remember a driving instructor asking me who I was indicating for when we were practising in a suburb. I couldn't see any other cars but figured that if one appeared they'd want to know my intentions and it would mean it was one less thing to think about.

  I fired that instructor.

  source
• queermunist@lemmy.ml ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  100%

  It’s just good practice. If you don’t make it a habit you will forget.

  source
• SpicyColdFartChamber@lemm.ee ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Only when I remember to fill up on my blinker fluid.

  source
• DjMeas@lemm.ee ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I use my blinker even when turning into my own driveway and the reason is simple:

  The signal isn’t for me. It’s for others to know my intentions.

  One major thing that makes driving with others safer is predictability and your blinkers can help with that.

  source

  • Flax_vert@feddit.uk ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    I do this just for the habit of turning. I don’t need to waste brain power trying to determine if I need to actually use it or not. It’s just associated with turning.

    source
• RisingSwell@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  If I’m in a traffic area or pulling into a traffic area, always. I indicate out of my driveway because I’m going on to a road and there’s 2 directions I could go.

  my car weighs like 1.6t and people need to know where it’s heading.

  source
• obinice@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Indicators?

  Yes, only pillocks don’t use their indicators. They’re an essential method of communication between vehicles and for pedestrians, and an essential safety feature.

  I cannot stress this enough, people who don’t use their indicators are massive twats and shouldn’t be on the road.

  They’re a danger to themselves and everybody around them.

  source

  • foggy@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    I read this in a posh British accent.

    source
• illi@lemm.ee ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  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.

  source

  • Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    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.

    source
  • IndiBrony@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    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.

    source

    • illi@lemm.ee ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Obviously I don’t just use blinkers and go without looking. I would’ve thought that goes without saying

      source

      • -> View More Comments
  • khannie@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    100% the same. 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).

    source

    • lars@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      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.

      source

      • -> View More Comments
    • Emerald@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      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.

      source

      • -> View More Comments
    • Technoworcester@lemm.ee ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      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.

      www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/roundabouts.html

      source
• Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Always use the blinker. Remember it’s not a request, it’s a warning.

  When changing lanes in fast traffic, using the blinker will usually cause the car next to you to speed up. This is a feature, not a bug, as it opens a space behind them into which you can stick the nose of your car, ahead of the guy following them.

  Adding in: if you routinely drive with your lights on, you will find that little extra visibility makes people slightly less likely to cut you off or more likely to let you in. Sometimes they don’t mean to be assholes, they’re just distracted, and being more visible helps. If you consider that “dingdingding” a reminder to lock it, it will turn off the lights and be safe.

  source

  • sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    it’s not a request, it’s a warning.

    This way of thinking comes across as a devil-may-care attitude, and a threat, even, whenever I see it. “Warning, I’ll do what I want. Stay out of my way!”

    A turn signal doesn’t give someone permission to make an unsafe maneuver, because they “warned” others. Rather it’s an indication to others of your intentions, so that other people can act accordingly. Maybe it lets someone turn onto a road from an intersection ahead of you because you’re going to turn in. Maybe they’ll leave you space in front or behind them. Maybe they’ll slow down behind you instead of trying to pass, because they know you’re about to leave the lane. It does not give you undue permission to change lanes right in front of somebody who will have to brake to avoid a collision.

    It’s not the first time I’ve seen “warning” used so I wonder if this is part of driver’s Ed somewhere, but it has always seemed like a dangerous way of approaching turn signals.

    source

    • Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      You’re right of course. You should drive defensively at all times, and with courtesy, remembering the humans around you. But it’s also dangerous and confusing to others if you don’t take the right of way when it’s yours. Or if you signal a move and then don’t do it. As with my example of lane changing, you can anticipate another driver not making it easy and use that to find your spot. You shouldn’t try to zoom ahead and cut them off, and you shouldn’t even be starting to signal if there’s not room. But soon after you start blinking, your car should at least indicate what you’re doing by changing position within your own lane, and then you should finish the move as soon as it’s safe.

      You should also realize that the other person’s signals need to be treated as a warning. Even if the car and its driver look small and easily intimidated, you should allow them the space to make their move. Too many drivers don’t.

      I’m going to add, if you see someone do something incredibly stupid, assume their GPS just gave them an impossible direction. Or their kid is kidnapped and they are hurrying to the ransom drop. Or whatever it takes for you to let go of your frustration and just add it into the day’s tally of crazy driving rather than getting angry.

      source

      • -> View More Comments
• MoreFPSmorebetter@lemmy.zip ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  …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.

  source
• fubarx@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I use it everywhere because it signals intent. You never know when someone might pull up fast or walk into your blind spot. This is the only indicator they have that you’re about to pull into traffic, or change lanes.

  source
• sith@lemmy.zip ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I don’t drive a BMW, so yes.

  source

  • BelgXL@lemm.ee ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    It has sadly extended to all the more expensive German cars, somehow they think they are better then everyone else

    source

    • Emerald@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      I would think the people buying these expensive cars wouldn’t want to crash them. I guess they do though.

      source
    • jellyfishhunter@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Nah, the blinkers of all German cars are just intentionally broken.

      source

      • -> View More Comments
• Willem@kutsuya.dev ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  “Every important sideways manoeuvre” is what I learned from my driving instructor. I sometimes even feel a bit bad when I forget to use my indicator.

  Can I make a small complaint here that the 3 blinks your car does is way too short to start and finish most actions?

  source

  • Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    If you’re making a turn push the lever farther and it will keep blinking until the steering wheel starts to return to center. If you’re just edging sideways into the next lane, a little flick will give you the few seconds of blinks and stop, because the wheel doesn’t turn enough for the other system and you might not realize it’s still blinking mile after míle.

    I do wish the blinks were a faster tempo, more chances to alert others quickly.

    source
• Crackhappy@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Would you use your blinker in a car? Would you wink at your lover, from afar? Would you twerk and dimple, or is that too far? I don’t know how to rhyme this anymore, ABLAR.

  source
• undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  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.

  source

  • MicrowavedTea@infosec.pub ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    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.

    source
• MrsDoyle@sh.itjust.works ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Always always signal your intention. I heard a woman complaining that her new car had lane control, which forced her to indicate when changing lanes. “It’s so annoying, I mean it’s obvious I’m overtaking, I don’t need to indicate!”

  Also, as a frequent pedestrian I appreciate when drivers and cyclists indicate and judge heavily when they don’t. So frustrating to be waiting to cross the road and someone turns without indicating.

  source
• adespoton@lemmy.ca ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I’ve only been driving for 33 years, but I try to signal every turn.

  Because the signals are for those situations where you don’t see something you should have AND those situations where someone else didn’t see something they should have.

  Takes a flick of the pinky to do something that could save you thousands of dollars and wasted time, or even save someone’s life. So why not do it?

  source
• monkeyman69@lemmynsfw.com ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Mirror, signal, manoeuvre. This is the way.

  source

  • corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    You forgot the part where you turn your damned head and look beside you.

    Please tell me that’s just an oversight, and you’re not one of those.

    source

    • Spider89@lemm.ee ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Do I still count even if I have an ultrawide mini mirror?

      source
• CrazyLikeGollum@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Yes. You’re supposed to use it anytime you’re about to turn or change lanes, including if you’re sitting in a turn lane at a red light or backing out of a drive way of parking spot.

  Not doing so makes you a road hazard.

  source

  • starlinguk@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    In the Netherlands you don’t need to signal when you pull back in after overtaking in the middle lane.

    source

    • donuts@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      That’s not true. You need to signal when changing lanes. Going back after overtaking constitutes changing lanes.

      [Artikel 55 Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens 1990] (…overheid.nl/jci1.3:c:BWBR0004825&hoofdstuk=II&pa…)

      source
    • NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      That’s fair though if it’s a keep right situation as it’d be fair to expect you to move in as soon as you safely can.

      source
    • whyNotSquirrel@sh.itjust.works ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Can you pull back in the right lane if there is an entry and incoming car?

      source
• AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  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 instinctively.

  source

  • warbond@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    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.

    source
• partial_accumen@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  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”

  source