It’s not just BMW drivers though! Here in Germany, the majority of motorists are using it wrong: they indicate as they merge/turn or a second before (at best), making it entirely useless IMO.
A lot of US cars use the same physical light for turn signals and brake signals, but I’m saying noticing the car in front of you is slowing down because the brake lights are on can be a more reliable way to know someone is about to turn because no one uses turn signals properly
Not universally. And even for cars that do, it is still easily noticeable when someone has their signal on. There are at least 3 brake lights, so if one of them is flashing instead of solid, that one is the turn signal.
I find more cars these days tend to have dedicated front and rear turn signals that are separate from the brake lights, though.
The closest idea I’ve gotten so far is: They are worried their “request” to merge will be denied so they just do it as fast as possible without giving others a chance to influence it.
These are often also the same people that attempt to block other cars from merging during traffic jams.
I’m not in Germany, but I was taught (in mandated driving school) that when switching lanes, first check it’s safe (which means you cannot cause another car needing to brake for you), then signal, then change lane. You shouldn’t “request to” change lanes forcing another to need to react. Not sure if it can explain the behaviour.
But this is only for changing lanes, not for zipper merging, or just turning a corner etc.
That doesn’t seem like a great idea to me. You’re signaling to let other drivers know you’re intending to do something so they can be ready to react if needed. You could miss a car in your blindspot even after checking and only signaling right before you start changing lanes wouldn’t give that car much warning.
Obviously signaling doesn’t magically give you the right of way to merge, but IMO it’s better to let others know you’re doing something as soon as possible
Exactly this. Indicate to communicate with others.
If you indicate in advance of your manoeuvre, it gives others time to react by reducing (or increasing) their speed to make room for you instead of always having to slam their brakes in order to avoid a collision.
Indicating is much safer, fuel efficient and way less frustrating for everybody, even pedestrians.
It’s not just BMW drivers though! Here in Germany, the majority of motorists are using it wrong: they indicate as they merge/turn or a second before (at best), making it entirely useless IMO.
Plenty common in the US too. Brake lights are a more reliable indicator that someone is planning to turn soon
Don’t You use the same light for turning and braking?
It still flashes. It’s dumb that we don’t charge it, but it’s still pretty noticable in all but the quickest stops.
A lot of US cars use the same physical light for turn signals and brake signals, but I’m saying noticing the car in front of you is slowing down because the brake lights are on can be a more reliable way to know someone is about to turn because no one uses turn signals properly
Not universally. And even for cars that do, it is still easily noticeable when someone has their signal on. There are at least 3 brake lights, so if one of them is flashing instead of solid, that one is the turn signal.
I find more cars these days tend to have dedicated front and rear turn signals that are separate from the brake lights, though.
And then you get the other extreme, those who turn on their indicators 3 streets before their actual turn. They will turn …at some point.
I swear people intentionally wait for the last moment to make sure nobody has time to react.
Absolutely! I’ve been trying to understand why.
The closest idea I’ve gotten so far is: They are worried their “request” to merge will be denied so they just do it as fast as possible without giving others a chance to influence it.
These are often also the same people that attempt to block other cars from merging during traffic jams.
I’m not in Germany, but I was taught (in mandated driving school) that when switching lanes, first check it’s safe (which means you cannot cause another car needing to brake for you), then signal, then change lane. You shouldn’t “request to” change lanes forcing another to need to react. Not sure if it can explain the behaviour.
But this is only for changing lanes, not for zipper merging, or just turning a corner etc.
That doesn’t seem like a great idea to me. You’re signaling to let other drivers know you’re intending to do something so they can be ready to react if needed. You could miss a car in your blindspot even after checking and only signaling right before you start changing lanes wouldn’t give that car much warning.
Obviously signaling doesn’t magically give you the right of way to merge, but IMO it’s better to let others know you’re doing something as soon as possible
Exactly this. Indicate to communicate with others.
If you indicate in advance of your manoeuvre, it gives others time to react by reducing (or increasing) their speed to make room for you instead of always having to slam their brakes in order to avoid a collision.
Indicating is much safer, fuel efficient and way less frustrating for everybody, even pedestrians.