More than 20% of the dead toll on UAE’s roads are attributed to lane swerving / abrupt changing of lanes, according to data released by the MOI. Lane swerving is linked to not using the indicator and warning other drivers about the intended lane changes.
Many non-fatal accidents can be avoided when indicators are used and other drivers can react accordingly. Use your indicator ALWAYS when you want to change your direction, protects YOURSELF, your PASSENGERS and OTHERS! It’s not rocket science – and it can safe lives!
UAE Statistics (RoadSafetyUAE and QIC Insured commissioned a YouGov on-line survey in February 2016; n=1005 UAE representative sample):
| In those cases when you do not use your indicators when you change lanes, take an exit, merge onto a highway, turn at a junction, etc. What might be the reasons? | Average |
| The traffic around me demands my full attention, so I cannot think of using the indicator |
24% |
| In my opinion, it is a sign of inexperience (15) or weakness (9) to indicate |
24% |
| I don’t indicate out of habit |
15% |
| In my home country, it is usual not to use the indicator |
12% |
| I have no hand free to use the indicator (for example because of using my mobile phone) |
11% |
| In my opinion, it is not important to indicate |
10% |
| I do not understand the importance of indicating |
8% |
| I am not sure when to use my indicators |
7% |
How to do it right
- Bear in mind, that non-use of indicators is a main ingredient to the #1 KILLER on our roads!
- Using your indicator is a basic rule of road safety (non-use carries fines and black points!)
- Using your indicator shows good manners – it’s basic etiquette to signal where you intend to go to!
- Protect YOURSELF and OTHERS!
- Make it a HABIT to ALWAYS use your indicator
- Start indicating a few seconds BEFORE you actually move, to make others aware.
- Check in front & around you – check mirrors – indicate before you move – look over your left shoulder – then maneuver!
- When you see somebody else indicating, be polite and caring and allow them to move.
- Indicate ALWAYS when you want to:
- Change lanes
- Take a turn
- Exit a roundabout
- Pull out of a parking slot
- Take an exit
Hi there,
the following is my experience when I used my indicator before changing from right to left lane.
It was about 1 year ago on my way to work when I changed lane from right to left an a 2 lane road.
I checked the left mirror and there was plenty of room for me between the car in front of me and the car that came on the left lane behind me; furthermore, the car behind drove with the same speed than me.
As soon as I set the indicator to change the lane, the car behind me (on the left lane) suddenly accelerated and crushed into my car.
Off course we called the police and I explained the situation to the officer, but changing the lane and causing an accident is automatically the fault of the drive who changed the lane.
After checking my car I found only the paint is scratched (VOLVO V70) but his car (Chevrolet Trailblazer) was so damaged that he couldn’t even open the door on the passenger side.
This was proof for me that he had an earlier accident; perhaps due to his fault, and was looking for a fool (me) who would pay for the repair.
When I asked him in front of the police officer why he accelerated when I changed lane he said that my indicator confused him.
That’s not the only situation where I noticed that drivers put their foot down when they see that someone want to change the lane.
From that moment on, after setting my indicator to move lanes, I still observe the cars around me and especially behind me, since we might see irrational behaviour like suddenly accelerating vehicles.
The main reason here, in my opinion, is the lack of social competence paired with the non existing driving discipline.
However, I hope the initiative to use the indicator more often works in future for a safer road.
Best regards
Werner
I was driving during a rush hour in shj school zone and suddenly 1 nissan patrol Came out of sand area cutting all the lines and want to enter Infront of my car where there is no room at all he was just rushing and I was in that line for more than 30mins(to reach that place) following my line as the regulation for driving teaches us, normal me if someone is indicating to change line I ll do wat I can to allow him but this driver was soo arrogant and breaking all lines I didn’t allow him to enter my line, he is such a rude person when there was space between 2 car lane he entered in between my car and the left lane car near roundabout and opened his window to say something which I didn’t understand and again drive away in the wrong lane .
Some People are using the indicator in such places where they already did soo many violations and acting rude to the people who where following all the traffic rules.
School zones in the SHARJAH is one of worst places to see all kinds of traffic violation during the rush hours kindly do something to protect the are from violators.