Blinker basics
Imagine a world where indicators didn't exist and motorists were unable to signal their intentions on the road. It would be chaos.
Words: Jeremy Rochow
When we're on the road, we put a lot of trust in other motorists, relying on them to obey the rules, whether it's stopping at red lights, sticking to the speed limit or using their indicators.
Merging, turning and changing lanes would be extremely dangerous without prior warning, and cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users would be at greater risk.
Thankfully, indicators are installed on all motor vehicles and must be used to show other road users your intentions. Yet, there is still some confusion about indicators and how, and when, we need to use them on the road. Below we've answered a few commonly asked indicator questions.
Do I need to indicate when I'm in a turn-only lane?
Staggeringly, almost two thirds of motorists don't know that they must indicate when making a turn in a turn-only lane, according to a recent sa move quiz.
What is a turn-only lane? It's a designated lane that requires drivers to turn in a specific direction (left or right) at an intersection.
The quiz, which tested motorists in several scenarios, revealed that 61 per cent of road users thought they didn't have to indicate right in a lane where they were unable to turn left or travel straight.
Despite no other turning options being available, the Australian Road Rules state that a driver must indicate when changing direction, including when there's a turn-only lane.
Making a turn in a turn-only lane, doing a U-turn and pulling over to the side of the road are all examples of changing direction.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says it might be obvious which direction you're heading, but other road users can't always see the arrow markings underneath your vehicle.
"To ensure the safety of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, you still have to indicate when you're in a turn-only lane," Charles says.
"While it might seem unnecessary to indicate because once you're in the lane you must follow the specified direction, indicating confirms the direction to other road users and pedestrians."
How long do I need to indicate for?
You're at the wheel and moving from a stationary position on the side of the road. How long must you indicate? Three seconds, five seconds or it doesn't matter if other motorists see you indicate?
If you said five seconds, you're one of the 62 per cent who answered correctly in a 2024 sa move quiz.
According to the Australian Road Rules, if you're about to move from a stationary position on the side of the road, you must indicate for a full five seconds before pulling away from the kerb. Remember to give way to all traffic, including cyclists or pedestrians, before moving off.
If you fail to indicate before moving from a stationary position, you risk a $392 fine plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.
On the road, the rules change slightly. When switching lanes, there isn't a set time you need to indicate, but you must provide sufficient warning to other road users that you're changing direction and ensure there's enough room to do so.
You must also signal your intentions using your indicators to:
- Turn left or right, including leaving the continuing road at a modified T-junction
- Make a U-turn
- Leave a roundabout (by indicating left where practical)
- Turn left or right when moving into a parking space.
Can I be fined for not flicking my indicator off?
You're at the wheel of your car and you indicate before turning a corner. A few hundred metres down the road you realise you've left the indicator switched on. Can you be fined?
Leaving your indicator on may be seen as a misuse of a direction signal, and you could be fined $262, receive a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.
Charles says leaving your indicator on could confuse other road users if you're not planning to change directions.
"If you leave your indicator on, a person entering traffic from a side road might assume you're turning and pull out in front of you," Charles says.
"It's good practice to check your indicators have switched off after you've completed a change-of-direction manoeuvre."
Do I need to indicate when zip merging?
When driving on a road and the number of lanes reduces, and there are no lane markings, you must give way to the vehicle ahead of you. Vehicles take turns merging like teeth on a zipper, hence the name zip merge.
While you're not technically required to signal when zip merging, it's good etiquette to signal left or right as you move across into the continuing lane. This has the added benefit of helping traffic merge smoothly. The Driving Companion also advises that when merging and moving left or right by more than one metre, drivers should indicate.
Can I indicate to tell another motorist the road ahead is clear?
You're driving along a country road and towing a caravan. There's a car behind looking to overtake and, to give them a heads up that the road ahead is clear, you flick on your right indicator. Courteous or confusing?
Although you mean well, using your indicator for this purpose can be confusing and dangerous if the driver misinterprets your intentions and thinks you're signalling the road ahead is clear but you're actually turning right.
At the end of the day, it's up to the overtaking driver to determine if it's safe to pass. Using your indicator to show the road ahead is clear could result in a $262 fine, a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.
IMAGES: Getty
Do you have a road rules question?
RAA's Road Safety team can help. Email motoringroadrules@raa.com.au or call 8202 4570.
