Giving Signals by Direction Indicator/Arm
Arm Signals
The Highway Code illustrates the various arm signals available to you. In general, arm signals are used to make clear a particular action you wish to take. For instance, a slowing down arm signal may be required on approach to a zebra crossing in order to make clear to pedestrians and other road users your intentions to slow down and/or stop. Though, it is not common place to use arm signals as part of everyday driving, their use may be required to ensure other road users are absolutely clear about your intentions.
Signals (Where Necessary)
Giving too many signals by indicators can be as misleading to other road users about your intentions as giving too few. For instance, indicating to the right before passing parked cars may be necessary to warn:
- Oncoming traffic that you intend moving into or towards their lane in order to pass safely or……..
- ……warn a driver in a parked vehicle ahead who may have the engine running and who you consider might move away from the side of the road.
However, these would be the exceptions rather than the rule.
In general, an indicator signal should be given to warn other road users of your intentions to turn left or right or move position significantly (requiring them to take your intended change of course into account). A signal does not give you the authority to barge or force your way through a particular driving situation.
Usually, a signal will be required at every road junction, where you are to turn left or right, unless the junction is very open and you can see clearly that no other road user (including pedestrians) might benefit from it (a very rare situation). Signal if in a dedicated lane for turning left or right. Other road users may be unaware of the road markings.
Only signal to pull in or move away from the kerb if there is someone to benefit from it. Never signal (to the right) to move away if a following vehicle is about to pass you. The following driver may misread your intentions and think you are suddenly about to pull out in front of his/her vehicle.
Signals (Correctly)
Though it might seem obvious, you must ensure you signal in the correct direction in line with your intended turn/change of direction. If an indicator signal cancels before the manoeuvre is completed, it must be reapplied immediately. Once the manoeuvre has been completed, the signal must be cancelled without delay.
For instance, you are turning right at a roundabout and just after leaving the roundabout there is a side road on the left with a driver waiting to emerge at the junction. You correctly signal left as you are about to exit the roundabout.
If your signal is not cancelled in good time the driver waiting at the junction may misinterpret your intentions, think you are turning into the side road and pull out in front of you causing a potentially dangerous situation
Signals (Properly Timed)
Signals should be timed correctly so as to leave other road users in no doubt as to your intentions. Never signal too late or too early. Ensure you apply the M-S-M routine rigidly. For instance, you intend to turn into the next side road on the left. However, there is a parked car on the left immediately before the junction.
The correct action would be to check the relevant mirrors prior to pulling out to pass the car and then, as you draw level with the car, check the mirrors and indicate left. Signalling to the left prior to passing the parked car could mislead other road users into thinking you were about to pull in behind it.