Converting a bit of annoyance into a bit of education. And as you guessed, it's about indicating directions at roundabouts.
As editor of Autoblog, I am regularly asked whether I would still pass if I had to take my driving test now. Yes, I'm actually asked. My answer is always: “Certainly, no one drives their car through the city as well (and without damage) as I do.”
But is that actually the case? Because to be very honest, I think I would be able to do the practical part, but with the theory it will be more difficult. When I left in 1995, a lot of things that were taken for granted today had not even been invented yet…
But roundabouts were already there and I would like to talk about indicating directions on those things. Because how should that actually be?
Indicate directions at roundabouts. How should it actually work?
It's always good fodder for discussion, I notice. I once brought it up during a radio program I was making and the reactions were overwhelming. And you very clearly have two camps.
I'm in the camp of indicating directions, both to the left and to the right. When I drive around roundabouts, I set the indicator to the left until I have passed the first exit and then quickly set it to the right. I was also taught during driving lessons.
At three-quarters of a roundabout it's a bit the same story, past the first two exits the indicator is to the left, then to the right. In my opinion this is the only correct way. You show that you are not turning yet, even if you are actually driving straight ahead and you would not have to blink.
I always get genuinely pissed off when someone else doesn't. If he/she/them only indicates directions when leaving the roundabout. Or worse, if the subject gives no direction at all. What's the effort, I wonder.
But what should we do now?
But what is the law? Well. It is not good news for the undersigned, because indicating direction is only mandatory when leaving roundabouts. So if I get angry when someone doesn't blink to the left, that's actually completely unfair. Although it is indicated that 'my' way of doing things is clearer…
Anyway. So now the question. How do you do it? Are you civilly disobedient like me and do you blink to the left when you are actually going straight, or do you only signal when you are leaving roundabouts? Or not at all?
And why do you do it the way you do it? I'm really curious about that. Let us know below, in the comments.
Our gratitude borders on the improbable!
This article Indicate directions at roundabouts. How should it actually work? first appeared on Autoblog.nl.
#directions #roundabouts #work