GOOD MOTORING
The left & right of indicators
H. Kishie Singh

MOST drivers use indicators ineptly. The correct use of indicators is an important part of car control. Indicators give other road users information of your intentions. This is important for your safety and that of all other road users.

Mere signalling or indicating does not give you the right to carry out your intentions. Check your rear-view mirror, there may be someone close to you who is moving at a faster speed. Check what is approaching from behind and the front, do not cross their path. They have priority and right of way.

There is an indicator lever on the steering column of your car. When pushed up or down, it flashes the indicator lights on the left-hand side or the right-hand of the car of the car. There are three lights that will flash: one at the front, one at the rear and one on the side. This ensures that your indicator, signalling your intentions, can be seen from the front, rear and the side. This is a vital safety element, provided you use it properly.

Common sense says that left-hand blinking means the car is going to turn left, while right-hand blinking suggests a right turn. There can be no other message. For some unknown reasons, however, Indian drivers use the right-hand indicator to mean "pass".

Everywhere else in the world, the left-hand indicator on the highway would mean "I am staying in the left-hand lane, and the right-hand lane is for you to overtake". If you were driving in any other country, any attempt to overtake a car that is flashing a right-hand indicator would be unthinkable. For sure it is assumed that the driver is going to turn right, and you should maintain a safe distance behind that car. Any attempt to overtake, could lead to a serious accident.

Then we have the hazard flasher. By activating this switch, all six lights begin to flash. They are meant to be used in an emergency when the car is stationary i.e. when you are changing wheels or in case of a breakdown. Most people use them when it’s raining. It is wrong to use the hazard flasher while on the move. It could be confusing for the other vehicles on the road.

Many years ago when I started driving in India, I had an interesing experience. On a single lane road, I was following a huge overloaded truck. As I flashed my lights asking for a pass, his right-hand indicator would flash and I would fall back. This happened three times so I did not overtake. I was used to international signals, and took it for granted the truck was going to make a right turn.

Some kilometres later we came to a stop at a railway crossing. The gate was closed. The truck driver approached me and said, "Sir, I gave you a pass, why didn’t you take it?"

"Because you were going to turn right," I said.

A third person, who was listening to the conversation, chimed in, "Sir ji, these new cars have left-turn signal, right-turn signal and also signal to go straight."

"To go straight?" I was surprised. "Yes," he said and put on the hazard flasher.

I was shocked to hear about such usage. Some of you may be going abroad for summer holidays. Learn to abide by the international driving rules.

The way people use indicators while going around roundabouts can also be confusing. If you are in the correct lane, it is not necessary to use indicators. For a left turn, stay in the left lane; to go straight, stick to the centre lane; and for a right turn, be on the right line. Do not attempt to overtake while approaching the roundabout. This leads to confusion and confusion leads to traffic jams and possible fender benders.

Happy motoring.