View Full Version : Red Lights and Indicators does anyone know what they are?
j_1971son
11-Mar-11, 21:45
Red Lights and Indicators does anyone know what they are?
I say this as it is unbelievable the amount of cars that do not stop at the main set of lights in wick, and indicators were not just added to cars to make them look good, they actually have a good use in actually letting people know where you are going especially as they are usxually behind you and are not telepathic. So please come on people of Wick surely you know what thye are for????
annemarie482
11-Mar-11, 21:54
stating the obvious? yes.
will "the offenders" take any notice? no
To be honest I always drive as if some fool was waiting round the next corner for me. I'm a considerate driver although I wasn't always. I was just as bad as the bloke waiting round the corner for me. Still can be sometimes. :lol:
annemarie482
11-Mar-11, 22:00
through my test just 5 months, still drive as if im on my test! lol
j_1971son
11-Mar-11, 22:10
So is there a bit in there what explains about red lights and indicators in the highway code? Ss i'm sure most people did not read that bit?
I think there was some bye-law passed not long ago that banned everyone from using indicators in Wick.
I personally think that everyone in the Highlands should have to take their test in Inverness where they have islands and traffic lights etc, etc.
In the meantime, when I am following anyone in Wick I will assume that they are either going to turn left or right in front of me without using the orange blinking thingy's!!
C3.....:roll:;)
Red Lights and Indicators does anyone know what they are?
I say this as it is unbelievable the amount of cars that do not stop at the main set of lights in wick, and indicators were not just added to cars to make them look good, they actually have a good use in actually letting people know where you are going especially as they are usxually behind you and are not telepathic. So please come on people of Wick surely you know what thye are for????
Caithness drivers are among the best in the country at multi-tasking but you just can't expect them to do everything! There's a good chance they were on their mobile phone and eating a Pot Noodle when they arrived at the traffic lights and they didn't have any spare hands. So give them a break, eh.:confused :lol:
they did not need indictors as everyone knows everyone busy so everyone knows where everone is going in wick
macbreeza
12-Mar-11, 09:48
I am a runner (albeit a slow one) and what REALLY gets me is when I am running, I always suss out the traffic all the time check to see if anything is turning and continue running across if its clear, I cannot tell you the amount of times I have had to stop in my tracks because some IDIOT turns into the road or drives out of a junction WITHOUT INDICATING then look at you sheepishly and wave, lazy, inconsiderate morons. Just because there is no traffic around doesn't mean you don't need to INDICATE your intentions when driving!!
I always suss out the traffic all the time check to see if anything is turning and continue running across if its clear,!!
You should read the Highway Code, Rule 7.
Crossing the road
7
The Green Cross Code. The advice given below on crossing the road is for all pedestrians. Children should be taught the Code and should not be allowed out alone until they can understand and use it properly. The age when they can do this is different for each child. Many children cannot judge how fast vehicles are going or how far away they are. Children learn by example, so parents and carers should always use the Code in full when out with their children. They are responsible for deciding at what age children can use it safely by themselves.
A. First find a safe place to cross and where there is space to reach the pavement on the other side. Where there is a crossing nearby, use it. It is safer to cross using a subway, a footbridge, an island, a zebra, pelican, toucan or puffin crossing, or where there is a crossing point controlled by a police officer, a school crossing patrol or a traffic warden. Otherwise choose a place where you can see clearly in all directions. Try to avoid crossing between parked cars (see Rule 14), on a blind bend, or close to the brow of a hill. Move to a space where drivers and riders can see you clearly. Do not cross the road diagonally.
Look all around and listen for traffic before crossing
B. Stop just before you get to the kerb, where you can see if anything is coming. Do not get too close to the traffic. If there’s no pavement, keep back from the edge of the road but make sure you can still see approaching traffic.
C. Look all around for traffic and listen. Traffic could come from any direction. Listen as well, because you can sometimes hear traffic before you see it.
D. If traffic is coming, let it pass. Look all around again and listen. Do not cross until there is a safe gap in the traffic and you are certain that there is plenty of time. Remember, even if traffic is a long way off, it may be approaching very quickly.
E. When it is safe, go straight across the road – do not run. Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross, in case there is any traffic you did not see, or in case other traffic appears suddenly. Look out for cyclists and motorcyclists travelling between lanes of traffic. Do not walk diagonally across the road.
8
At a junction. When crossing the road, look out for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you. If you have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, you have priority and they should give way (see Rule 170).
I am a runner (albeit a slow one) and what REALLY gets me is when I am running, I always suss out the traffic all the time check to see if anything is turning and continue running across if its clear, I cannot tell you the amount of times I have had to stop in my tracks because some IDIOT turns into the road or drives out of a junction WITHOUT INDICATING then look at you sheepishly and wave, lazy, inconsiderate morons. Just because there is no traffic around doesn't mean you don't need to INDICATE your intentions when driving!!
Ah but you only need to indicate when there is no one around. I only idicate when there is someone there be it other drivers or pedestrains. This is what my instructor gets me to do.
And of course you're supposed to indicate when you are in lane at traffic lights. Not for other drivers but for pedestrans so they know which way you are going. Often when i am driving i seem to be the only one who does this. Again it is something my instructor has taught me that i must do.
I think that indicators should be an optional extra on cars lol
orkneycadian
12-Mar-11, 14:40
Red Lights and Indicators does anyone know what they are?
I say this as it is unbelievable the amount of cars that do not stop at the main set of lights in wick, ......
Probably just us Orcadians passing through! Mind on, when we go south, the lights in Wick are the first ones we ever see! You will live in these "big smokes" with all these fancy modern gadgets!
Probably just us Orcadians passing through! Mind on, when we go south, the lights in Wick are the first ones we ever see! You will live in these "big smokes" with all these fancy modern gadgets!
Don't copy the locals on the roundabout.
Don't copy the locals on the roundabout.
What roundabout?
Oh the circle on the road.....lol
Nah thats no a real roundabout.
I always go that way...so everyone else must know by now....
Nope we are not mind readers!
What are 'indicators'? I have hazard warning light for when I'm parked on double yellow lines or at the traffic lights!
I have been driving 35 years and I have never seen brake lights... so I went outside sat in the car, pressed the brake peddle and nothing... so I got out of the car and walked round it and still nothing... that's what promted me to reply to this post!
Red lights ah....
Angel...
Best way to go:
a) Kids really desperately want to be able to drive. They will even absorb the entirety of the highway code in order to pass the theory test.
b) In order to understand the Highway Code, they need to be able to read, write, and count. (e.g. stopping speeds in different weather conditions)
c) Kids hate studying the "difficult" subjects like English and Maths, and have been shoehorned by educrats into taking subjects like meeja studies (not too many jobs going for critics, alas!) in order to assemble a portfolio of generally non-transferable or career-based skills.
d) Solution: upgrade the Highway Code theory test into a bona fide IGCE, incorporating the standards required to achieve Maths and English to IGCE standard), and make its passing compulsory before a practical road test can be taken. (IGCE, as GCSE allows for multiple choice answers, and all kinds of modular class/homework, as opposed to the IGCE, which measures by examination.)
e) The incentive to drive and be grown up will be such a huge incentive that studying will suddenly no longer be an obstacle.
f) According to the Meerkat Theory, if the kids buckle down and earn their licences this way, they will have passed fit not only to drive, but also to stand a better chance in the job market.
g) And it will mean fewer slack-jawed bottom-feeders clogging up the highways and byways.
Result!
Driving is a huge part of my job and nothing irks me more than people not indicating. I also find the people that break/drive slow for ages and then indicate just when they've already started turning, to be equally as annoying.
That said, we all like to think we're the greatest, most considerate drivers on the road eh?
I have to admit that my first roundabout encounter was almost 50 years ago in Dorset on a small motor bike with L plates. Went around it the wrong way but fortunately only one other vehicle in sight. There were no lights or roundabouts in the north at that time but it was one of those formative motoring experiences which stay with you!
You should read the Highway Code, Rule 7.
Crossing the road
7
The Green Cross Code. The advice given below on crossing the road is for all pedestrians. Children should be taught the Code and should not be allowed out alone until they can understand and use it properly. The age when they can do this is different for each child. Many children cannot judge how fast vehicles are going or how far away they are. Children learn by example, so parents and carers should always use the Code in full when out with their children. They are responsible for deciding at what age children can use it safely by themselves.
A. First find a safe place to cross and where there is space to reach the pavement on the other side. Where there is a crossing nearby, use it. It is safer to cross using a subway, a footbridge, an island, a zebra, pelican, toucan or puffin crossing, or where there is a crossing point controlled by a police officer, a school crossing patrol or a traffic warden. Otherwise choose a place where you can see clearly in all directions. Try to avoid crossing between parked cars (see Rule 14), on a blind bend, or close to the brow of a hill. Move to a space where drivers and riders can see you clearly. Do not cross the road diagonally.
Look all around and listen for traffic before crossing
B. Stop just before you get to the kerb, where you can see if anything is coming. Do not get too close to the traffic. If there’s no pavement, keep back from the edge of the road but make sure you can still see approaching traffic.
C. Look all around for traffic and listen. Traffic could come from any direction. Listen as well, because you can sometimes hear traffic before you see it.
D. If traffic is coming, let it pass. Look all around again and listen. Do not cross until there is a safe gap in the traffic and you are certain that there is plenty of time. Remember, even if traffic is a long way off, it may be approaching very quickly.
E. When it is safe, go straight across the road – do not run. Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross, in case there is any traffic you did not see, or in case other traffic appears suddenly. Look out for cyclists and motorcyclists travelling between lanes of traffic. Do not walk diagonally across the road.
8
At a junction. When crossing the road, look out for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you. If you have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, you have priority and they should give way (see Rule 170).
Highway Code Signals (103-112)
Signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians (see 'Signals to other road users'), of your intended actions. You should always:
Use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off
Give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked it is not misleading to signal at that time
susan.leith
13-Mar-11, 12:22
Whatever happened to "mirror, signal, manoeuvre"?
I have been a driver for 35 years now, almost all in the city. The only accident I have ever had (touch wood!) was in WICK. And yes, I was indicating, but the driver who hit me obviously had no idea about the orange flashing on the left side of my car, to the extent that he said oh I "thought" you were turning right.......
orkneycadian
13-Mar-11, 12:33
I also find the people that break/drive slow for ages and then indicate just when they've already started turning, to be equally as annoying.
Yep, Inappropriate Indicating happens a lot over here too. Some that seem to think that indicating is part of the turning maneuvre, even though they should have been able to see that there were other vehicles waiting for a clue as to their intentions!
The other side of inappropriate indicating is folk indicating when there is no-one to indicate to. Generally, you need to be a passenger in a car, or on foot to see this phenomena at work, but you wonder "Who are you indicating to? We are the only car in visible sight!" and "Are you so unware of your surroundings that you feel you need to indicate anyway, just in case there is an invisible road user behind you that you haven't noticed?" Possibility if you are driving a lorry or a tractor trailer combination, not so when you are in a Renault Megane!
Although a serious thread I did have a little smile to myself as it brought back a memory from years back. I was travelling back from a weekend away with a very X boyfriend the weather was horrid, thick fog, rain the lot plus bad road works. The driver of the car in front obviously hadn't a clue what indicators were for and because of the bad conditions we couldn't overtake. We eventually got to a set of traffic lights that were on red; my boyfriend got out of the car walked over to the car in front and knocked on the window. The driver wound down the window and my boyfriend put his hand in to the car grabbed the indicator stick and ripped it out saying that it was surplus to the drivers requirements. Well what he actually said is not allowed here. He then got back into the car and off we went. It is not often I am speechless but I was that day.
Not to be recommended but understandable!
George Brims
14-Mar-11, 17:51
they did not need indictors as everyone knows everyone busy so everyone knows where everone is going in wick
A Caithness man some years ago turned right off the Wick Casteltown road despite the fact there was a car coming the other way. A big crunch ensued. When asked by a bobby what he thought he was playing at, he replied. "Ah allwise turn in here. Yon's ma hoose." (pointing to home). How the folk coming the other way were supposed to know was something of a mystery, seeing as they were tourists from Belgium.
One of my favourite phrases to hurl out of the car window (or in to one if I'm walking at the time) is "Just as well I'm looking where you are going because you sure as hell aren't"
Come to think of it why don't they introduce more vehicle categories and incorporate an IQ test in to the Driving Test. - The results of the IQ test then dictates the type, size and maximum power you can drive. It won't keep all the morons off the roads but it would give some damage limitation!
George Brims
14-Mar-11, 22:22
I have to admit that my first roundabout encounter was almost 50 years ago in Dorset on a small motor bike with L plates. Went around it the wrong way but fortunately only one other vehicle in sight. There were no lights or roundabouts in the north at that time but it was one of those formative motoring experiences which stay with you!
I've always been fine with roundabouts but the one that flummoxed me was in Mallorca, the first time I ever drove on the right. My problem was there was no-one else around so I had to sit for a few seconds and figure out which way to go round it. Now, back home I would be on that side, and I would go that way, so here it must be...
We have a few roundabouts in California now. People seem to cope with them fine, at least as far as I've seen. You still have to watch for over-cautious wrinklies yielding right of way when they have it themselves, but I am always on the look out for that in the UK too.
You still have to watch for over-cautious wrinklies yielding right of way when they have it themselves, but I am always on the look out for that in the UK too.
Not just the wrinklies from the US - try negotitating roundabouts around Mildenhall and Lakenheath in Suffolk when the bases turn out at 4pm!
I was in Aberdeen with friends years and years ago when we drove the wrong way up a one way street (I wasn't driving btw) a police car was coming the other way and obviously the bobby's asked what the devil we were playing at. My mate answered "I'm really sorry, but we're from Week !" and was going to continue on that we were a bit lost etc but the bobby just started laughing and then the kind policemen escorted us to the edge of the city and sent us off in the direction of Wick with a cheery wave!! So it seems our reputation precedes us :lol:
northener
15-Mar-11, 08:34
A few years ago we were in France with some friends.
We decided to divert off the main trunk road en route to Arras and drive through a couple of the smaller towns. As we went through one small town we noticed that the oncoming traffic was passing us on both sides. Rather odd, we thought, must be some wierd Froggie byelaw.
It was only after about 200meters we finally sussed out we'd just driven through the town centre one-way system the wrong way.....but the French (being the French) just shrugged and drove round us. No angry tooting or frantic waving, they just let us get on with it!
And no, it wasn't me driving.:Razz
Les Rosbifs! Merde!
My driving instructor circa 1971 taught me to always drive as if everyone else on the road be it pedestrian or driver were escaped lunatics. To always signal even if there was no one in sight because if you do it from habit you never have to remember if you had indicated should there ever be a need for the question to be asked. Always lock the car even if only leaving it to fill it with fuel. I still follow these rules to this day. The last being a valuable lesson with the price of fuel today.
This thread must have worked because I went into Wick yesterday for the first time in a fortnight and everyone seemed to be using those orange thingy's when turning....Well done Wicker Drivers, the message seems to be getting over at last!!
C3....:roll:;)
RED LIGHTS???????????? i didnt things like that happened in caithness , in leeds it is referred to as chapeltown lol, and as for indicators no they dont normally put signs up advertising those sorts of areas either lol
I am a runner (albeit a slow one) and what REALLY gets me is when I am running, I always suss out the traffic all the time check to see if anything is turning and continue running across if its clear, I cannot tell you the amount of times I have had to stop in my tracks because some IDIOT turns into the road or drives out of a junction WITHOUT INDICATING then look at you sheepishly and wave, lazy, inconsiderate morons. Just because there is no traffic around doesn't mean you don't need to INDICATE your intentions when driving!!
i also run, and long distances which means on the sides of roads most of the time, and the amount of inconsiderate idiots in their cars is immense. Before moving up to Thurso I lived in Manchester for 5 years, and so am use to running with traffic around me, but at least in populated areas they respect the Highway code, and use their indicators etc because they know they will get caught and fined. Up here, with the limited police presence on the roads they get away with blue murder. I make the efforts to wear high-viz clothing and check around me for any traffic, but still some idiot will risk driving as close to me as possible until the last possible minute, sending me jumping into the verge and nearly braking my leg. And this is not to mention the complete inability of some people to be able to drive to the on a single track road. Instead they have to keep right in the middle leaving no room for me, or any other runner or cyclist to get by. So really its not just indicators its everything.
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