How To Indicate


Despite this law, my observation of road users over the past 20 or so years is that few display any competence in their indicating. Because I assume that not all of them are callous anti-social individuals, this suggests that they simply fundamentally misunderstand the purpose of indicating.  Depressingly many consider indicating altogether unnecessary. They prefer to be enigmatic and a complete menace to everyone else on the road.



The Purpose of Indicating

The purpose of indicating is to let others in the vicinity - other motorists, cyclists, skateboarders, pedestrians, utility scooter rides, etc. - know what it is we plan to do. Not what we've done, not what we're doing: what we plan to do.

In my opinion, the Road Code is woefully terse on the subject of indicating (thus this article), but I note that no where in the Road Code section on indicating does the word "optional" appear. Not once (I've searched it). Indicating is not a discretionary act. I've often been told by people whose lack of indication I found problematic that "there was no one there, so I didn't bother!" Then they were not being very observant. More than anyone else, you indicate for the road users you didn't see. It at least gives them a fighting chance to stay out of your way.

Situations Requiring Indication



Some specific examples where indicating is required:

  • before leaving the curb,
  • before every frickin' time you turn left,
  • when leaving a driveway,

The Rhythm of Indicating



One of the worst things one can do when driving is to start braking before indicating a turn. It's very disconcerting for any following motorists (and any nearby cyclists) as it is either interpreted as a sign of unseen trouble ahead, or an erratic, unpredictable (and therefore unsafe) driver. Don't be that driver.


For indicating, this is the order of operations:

  • drive along
  • about three counts away from leaving the carriageway I'm in, I indicate the left turn,
  • then I start braking (indicator going the whole time),
  • then I check for pedestrians crossing, and
  • turn in to the closest lane on the new road, at a suitable speed ensuring I don't swing wide into any other lanes.

Nice and easy, everyone knew what I was planning before I ever left the lane I was in, and before I touched my brakes.

When driving on a multi-lane road in heavy traffic, often people wanting to change lanes hover over their indicator switch until they see a break in the traffic in the lane they want to go to and only then do they indicate and move over the lane line.

That approach is fine, but also misses the "intend to go" point I made above - you can indicate to other traffic what you want to do too. So in the above situation, indiicate as soon as you want to shift over, then, some considerate soul in the next lane is more likely to make room for you.

Pilots Develop Virtuous Habits

Not many people know that I trained to be a glider pilot shortly after arriving in NZ (staying current was more expensive than fun, so I let it lapse). One of the most lasting and valuable lessons of my pilot training is that pilots recognise the value of habits. Yes, there is such thing as a good habit.


  1. Always fastening your seatbelt before you put the car into gear.
  2. Never move before all your passengers are belted in.
  3. Always check your mirrors before moving.
  4. Always check your mirror before opening your door.
  5. Indicate every turn or change to-from main carriageway according to your rhythm.

Better Too Much than Too Little

Some people are really concerned about indicating too soon, and perhaps misleading people into thinking that they're planning to turn into a driveway or something prior to the next obvious turn. Remember that your indicators are only one part of the indicating process. Your obvious speed (and brake lights) are the other. Indicate even if it's likely to create some ambiguity.


The Many Faces of Indicating


  1. be safe - please indicate, but not if doing so is going to make you lose stability
  4. make sure you have a bell, too, to alert pedestrians and slower bikes that you're coming.


Right - there's my first cut at this. My motivations are

  • to vent my spleen in the face of epidemic indicatory incompetence on our roads, and

I'd also like to note that this post is my attempt to offer a "carrot".  While I generally value the "she'll be right" mentality of NZ, the lack of caring for the road rules by kiwi drivers, and the non-existent enforcement by the police is a major disappointment for me. I think there needs to be a whole lot more stick.


Update 2014-05-16: found this excellent indicating resource online, specially designed to cater for my north American audience.