Indicating is good for you, by George Hayter

Lazy because indicating doesn’t take much effort. Foolish because it can prevent a crash. And I would add a third adjective – rude – because it upsets people.

Isn’t it obvious to Britain’s lazy minority of foolish and rude drivers that signalling is vital when performing what can at speed be a deadly move?

I love signalling. To me it’s as natural as saying good morning. In fact it’s sort of the same thing. Whether I’m going somewhere for work or pleasure, signalling helps me have a good start to the day.

Lifting a finger to activate the orange flashing lights on the corners of my car also says “Excuse me” as I invade a bit of someone else’s road space.

What life-loving sane human wouldn’t use benign direction signal indicators to inform drivers behind, in front and to both sides of an imminent move, alerting them and giving them time to adjust their position?

Indicating also keeps drivers safe on the M3 and other busy dual carriageways by creating a helpful atmosphere on the road, at least that’s what I think.

Signalling before you make a move generates a sense of cooperation between drivers. The atmosphere at 70mph becomes less race and more helping one another along, and that can take the stress out of the journey to work.

It’s not just indicating. I try to contribute to the sense of cooperation in congested traffic by restraining my Max Verstappen instincts.

Think of junction 11 on the M3 northbound, where traffic from Winchester ^[2] south and the Compton area joins the motorway as it climbs to the Twyford Down cutting. There the flow tends to slow to three lanes queuing, so joining traffic finds it hard to slip in.

Few drivers already on the motorway prepare a gap for the joiners. At that stressful junction I personally don’t catch up with the car in front and drive six inches behind it. Instead I leave a gap so one car can squeeze in. Or two or three if they’re quick. Or even half a dozen if I don’t have to slow down. This makes me sound like a saint but I’m not. My motivation is selfish. I know that letting a few vehicles in is only going to delay me 10 or 15 seconds, and it’s nice to help people. Sometimes a driver will raise a hand in gratitude. You get a nice feeling. It’s the pleasure all humans get when they make a friend and not an enemy. That pleasure is the stuff of life. It helps me enjoy my driving and helps me to be in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Don’t worry. I never overindulge in politeness. I do not give way to so many drivers from the side so that I significantly delay drivers behind.

Driving style gives motorists a voice when they’re in traffic, and using indicators provides a softer vocabulary. Cutting in front of someone without signalling says: “Get out my way. I’m in a hurry. I don’t care about your safety.” On the other hand, signalling and waiting for a gap says: “Good morning. I’ll be awfully grateful if you make room for me. Thanks in advance.” Saying which of those utterance is most likely to prepare a commuter for a relaxed day at work?

Obeying the Highway Code comes naturally when you drive kindly and communicate through signalling. Take Rule 147 for example: “Try to be understanding if other road users cause problems; they may be inexperienced or not know the area well.”

Self-driving vehicles controlled by computers are likely to consign accelerator pedals to the history books within a few decades, so perhaps we should enjoy driving while we can. Don’t squander our remaining years of motoring independence by not being friendly behind the wheel.

References

^{^} Hampshire country pub, the Mill Arms, wins Chronicle's Pub of the Year (www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk)
^{^} Winchester (www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk)
^{^} The Pump House in Winchester launches new membership scheme (www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk)