What purpose do front indicators serve?

[Rusty]

A thread on a petrol head forum got me thinking about this. Driving would be safer if cars weren't fitted with them, what do you think?

Edited January 9, 2015 by Rusty

[JV44]

Don`t use mine keepem guessing

[Andy_1984]

Is this a serious question ?

 

How would it be safer.........

[Steve Walker]

The more information you have about what others are thinking, the better, in my view.

[Andy_1984]

The more information you have about what others are thinking, the better, in my view.

 

especially for pedestrian and oncoming traffic.

[Chris Plumb]

I fail to see any advantages of NOT having them - please enlighten us!

 

C.

[chesters1]

Would be nice if there was three ,a center one which would indicate you were going ahead at roundabouts etc

Some cars are very badly designed and i guess tested in daylight ,some indicators are to near the headlamps so when they are on you hardly see the indicator and some are stupidly within the brake light which when braking is brighter than the indicator

Edited January 10, 2015 by chesters1

[corydoras]

I think that whoever thought that one up is a numpty.

[Andy_1984]

Im sure ive seen this argument before and im sure its to do with people taking for granted what is being indicated but it being wrong ?

[Rusty]

Ok the school of thought is a bit left field but bear with me.

 

Flashing front indicators are only ever seen when a car is travelling towards you, they’re an indication of what the driver might do and for that reason the Highway Code says that you should always wait for an indicated manoeuvre to be completed before starting your own. But people don’t wait, they take it for granted that a car indicating to turn left (for example) while they’re waiting at T junction will do just that and they start to pull out before it’s safe.

 

The above scenario is what happened to a person on another forum, he was waiting at a junction, a car coming from his right was indicating to turn left it slowed and he pulled out. The other driver changed her mind because it was the wrong turning and they collided. She freely acknowledges this but his insurance company are quoting the Highway Code and the blame will lie with him.

 

So, in the same scenario what would have happened if cars didn’t have front indicators? Matey boy would have had no choice but to wait until the car coming from his right had either turned left or carried on past him, he couldn’t risk pulling out because he doesn’t know what the other driver is going to do. There are other situations (for pedestrians also) where not knowing what an oncoming car is going to do will make you wait until he does it…..as per the HC.

 

That’s the logic….I’ve a feeling in might be a minority opinion.