Do I have to indicate if nobody is around?
There are two types of drivers: the ones who indicate and the ones who don’t, especially when no other road users are around.
So, can you get in trouble in South Australia for not indicating if no one is around to see it?
The scenario
You’re heading home from a night shift. It’s the early hours of the morning and, without thinking, you turn into your street without flicking on your indicator. No other road users are in sight. Have you just committed an offence?
The rule
You’re lucky there weren’t any police around. If you’re caught failing to indicate, like in this scenario, you can be fined $392, a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.
This rule applies no matter the time of day or night and whether other road users are present or not.
According to South Australia Police (SAPOL) data analysed by RAA, last financial year there were 1567 offences committed by motorists who failed to give sufficient warning when turning right and left on South Australian roads.
Think of it like brushing your teeth…
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says using your indicator is required by law whenever you’re changing direction. For example, when you’re switching lanes, turning right or left, merging or negotiating roundabouts.
According to Charles, the motion of flicking the indicator on before signalling your change in direction also reinforces good habits behind the wheel.
“It becomes an automatic part of the driving routine, irrespective of the environment,” he says.
“If drivers go down the road of selective indicating, they’re likely to forget to indicate when they need to, risking the safety of other road users.
“It can also become frustrating for those you’re sharing the road with.”
Final word
Whether it’s late at night, early in the morning, or during peak periods, there’s no exception to the rule. Drivers must always signal changes in direction using their indicator.
“Failing to indicate when turning or changing lanes or giving sufficient warning of your intention to do so is one of the consistent pet peeves of most drivers and, in the worst case, can lead to a crash,” Charles says.
But it’s not as simple as flicking your indicator on and making your move. The Driver’s Handbook states drivers must indicate for at least five seconds when leaving a stationary position by the side of the road. When changing lanes or turning left or right, drivers must give sufficient warning (usually fewer than five seconds) to other road users of their intentions to turn.
A few seconds may seem like an eternity in the dead of night or at the crack of dawn when nobody is around, but it’s worth your time.