Is signalling a dying art?

[Cyclopathic]

I wish that drivers would signal regardless of other traffic that may or may not be around. As a pedestrian it is often useful to know what a car driver is intending to do. Have they slowed down to turn off the road you are waiting to cross or are they just window shopping and apt to run you over if you cross thinking that they are turning. Signaling is just good practice and should be done. On a bike it should be done where possible without compromising safety. I find it very useful when turning right as it's visible and drivers often just let me through to the centre of the road.

 

[dodd82]

Quite apart from common decency and courtesy, not indicating whilst driving [along with tailgating] is a major cause of traffic congestion

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[Globalti]

A competent, aware driver should know if there is a cyclist, driver or pedestrian who stands to benefit from his signal. He should also know if there's nobody around - whether he chooses to signal is up to him.

 

[fimm]

I've also seen motorists that signal right when they're going straight on at a roundabout, before then signalling left as they exit.

Why in gods name they feel the need to signal right is beyond me.

Some people need sitting down and a good speaking to!

I do this. I signal that I am not leaving at the first exit, and then I signal that I am leaving at the second exit. I think I was taught to do this, too. It depends on the size of the roundabout - if you can't see me before I get onto the the roundabout then "no signal" is ambiguous as you don't know where I've come from or where straight on might be.

The person who "sees people signalling when there's no one around" - well you're around, aren't you, otherwise you wouldn't see them signalling? I'm not a very good driver, maybe there's someone I should have noticed but have not who might find my singal useful - and it is no skin off my nose to flick an indicator lever! Signalling on a bike is different, of course, among other things you have to return your hand to the bars to change gear.

 

[dodd82]

fimm - with respect, if there's two lanes on a roundabout and you're going straight on then you should not be signalling right.

 

[dodd82]

Sorry - the number of lanes is irrelevant - changed the sentence!

If you're not turning right or changing lane, don't signal right.

 

[Globalti]

Quite apart from common decency and courtesy, not indicating whilst driving [along with tailgating] is a major cause of traffic congestion which in turn [excuse pun] makes a cyclist more vulnerable.

Not signalling is a major contributor to congestion? How so? That's rubbish, with respect. Don't you think it's muppets undertaking spurious journeys in cars that causes congestion and don't you think the dramatic and most welcome reduction in traffic in London after congestion charging is proof of that?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Only signal to turn, not to divert.

I disagree.

It's important to give drivers of following vehicles notice that you may encroach further out into the lane than your current position, for whatever reason: parked car, narrowing road, kicked-out kerbs etc. The diagrams given in the HC show that, for example, a right indicator means 'I intend to move out to the right or turn right'.


GC

 

[dodd82]

globalti

If you don't know something, don't dismiss it by calling it rubbish. as it happens - he is right and you are wrong.

On a motorway, for example, if someone signals their intention to pull out, a good driver will ease off the acceleration to ensure that he maintains a safe distance behind the car that has pulled into the next lane.

No indication means no reduction in acceleration and will then mean a more abrupt reduction in acceleration at a later stage - probably by applying the brakes.

You should then be able to work out why this causes congestion?

 

[400bhp]

@dodd82.

You, totallyfixed & Globalti are all probably right.

Globalti is looking at the macro side, whereas you are looking at the micro side.

Globalti is correct - on the macro side then the lack of signals is not a major contributor.

However, if we assume the roads are necessarily busy, then not signalling I guess could be a major contributor. Possible, although I suspect it's much more complicated than that.

 

[dodd82]

@dodd82.

You, totallyfixed & Globalti are all probably right.

Globalti is looking at the macro side, whereas you are looking at the micro side.

Globalti is correct - on the macro side then the lack of signals is not a major contributor.

However, if we assume the roads are necessarily busy, then not signalling I guess could be a major contributor. Possible, although I suspect it's much more complicated than that.

Fair enough.

But in my mind there's no question - the M25, for example, could operate so much better were it not for tailgating and a lack of signalling. They both contribute hugely to unnecessary braking, which is the root cause of congestion.

The number of cars on the road would not be a major factor if people drove 'properly'.

 

[jonny jeez]

400bhp is right though. My, video documented, left hook count go down from 2 or 3 times/day to once or twice a week simply by not signalling left.

Still not convinced, sorry.

My personal experience is to the contrary. I ride 40 miles a day (ish) through London and have done for appx 4 years (this is not a boast or an attempt to start a p$$ing contest...I just want to put my comment into perspective and I fully appreciate you're own riding credentials). I can count the hooks I've had on one hand.

When driving one of the most annoying things is leaving time for a rider to pass a turn then seeing then round the same turn without signalling. Worse when pulling out of a junction and having an opposing rider do the same. Truly infuriating.

Take your time, plan your move and leave plenty of time for signalling.

 

[damme]

Only older cyclers show hand signs.

 

[jonny jeez]

I disagree.

It's important to give drivers of following vehicles notice that you may encroach further out into the lane than your current position, for whatever reason: parked car, narrowing road, kicked-out kerbs etc. The diagrams given in the HC show that, for example, a right indicator means 'I intend to move out to the right or turn right'.


GC

Untill you approach a junction or a path or a gap in the houses or a driveway or anything that a cyclist may turn right into... then a driver gets confused and wonders what the hell you are doing. In this situation a good look (eye contact is preferable) and an early move out to command the position is more than sufficient.

you wouldnt signal right to take primary at a pinchpoint...there is no difference.

keep signals for turns and avoid confusion, thats my view.

 

[jonny jeez]

Only older experienced cyclers ists show hand signs.

fixed it for you.
:troll: