Motorists could be slapped with a fine as high as £5,000 alongside nine points on their licence for simply using their indicator incorrectly.
Indicators are a key tool in any vehicle. They help to tell other road users and pedestrians your intentions before making a manoeuvre. This can help others act accordingly and decrease the risk of an accident. However, not using indicators correctly can confuse other road users and increase the risk of an accident.
Rule 104 of the Highway Code states that the use of road signals helps warn and inform other road users, and drivers should always provide a clear signal with plenty of time, while making sure that the signal will not mislead any other road user. In order to do this, the Highway Code advises drivers to use signals to advise other road users before “changing course or direction, stopping or moving off” while cancelling them after they’re no longer needed.
The Highway Code adds: “Make sure your signals will not confuse others. If, for instance, you want to stop after a side road, do not signal until you are passing the road. If you signal earlier, it may give the impression that you intend to turn onto the road.”
To help ensure that you’re properly following the Highway Code, it is best to follow the mirrors, signal, and manoeuvre rule so that you can be confident that flashing your indicator will not confuse or mislead other road users and pedestrians. Furthermore, if you’re planning on using your indicator to make a turn, you should ensure that your signal gives other road users plenty of time to respond accordingly.
However, you shouldn’t signal too far ahead of where you intend to turn so that it doesn’t mislead other road users.
Fine for incorrectly using indicators
Incorrectly using an indicator or not using one at all can be considered by police to be ‘careless and inconsiderate driving,’ which is a legal offence. The Metropolitan Police highlights that careless or inconsiderate driving occurs when: “The offence of driving without due care and attention (careless driving) is committed when your driving falls below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and includes driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.”
Consequently, committing this offence can lead to a maximum fine of up to £5,000 and up to nine points. However, in many cases, the police may decide to hand out a fixed-penalty notice (FPN) of £100 plus three points, but this is up to their discretion.
Keep in mind that if a new driver has had their licence for less than two years, receiving up to six points on their licence will lead to it being revoked. As a result, the driver will need to retake their test before they are able to get behind the wheel on their own again.
Full details on the Highway Code’s rules on signals can be found online here.
