Fed up with other drivers not indicating – then read on?
With the various cut-backs now affecting the number of police vehicles on the road it seems that many of the basic courtesies that keep our roads safe are being increasingly ignored.
As ever, these cut-backs are accompanied by potentially draconian penalties – if an offender is ever caught!
A recent article from one of the mainstream automobile clubs suggests that drivers who fail to indicate correctly when turning near pedestrians could face a fine of up to £5,000 if this puts their lives at risk.
Aside from the most important factor – the safety of pedestrians and other road users – not signalling properly could see motorists rack up to nine points on their licence, or even be disqualified from driving altogether, if their behaviour is deemed dangerous: and this is in addition to the fine.
If a pedestrian is killed due to a driver’s failure to indicate, a court could find the motorist guilty of dangerous driving – a charge which carries a maximum punishment of 14 years in prison.
According to the Highway Code, a driver must always: “Warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians, of your intended actions.”
When turning into a side street, if a pedestrian has already started to cross the road drivers should allow them to cross safely as they have the right of way.
Motorists should also be aware of pedestrians who are looking to cross the street, which includes indicating to inform them of their decision to turn.
Interestingly, while failing to indicate is not an offence in itself, although it does pose a very serious potential risk to the safety of pedestrians and other road users. However, should a failure to indicate correctly lead to a motorist hitting a pedestrian or colliding with another road user, a police officer could hand out an on-the-spot £100 fine.
And if an offence is deemed careless or dangerous driving, it’s possible drivers will face these harsher punishments if the case ends up in court.
So, why even although the chances of being caught are very slim, don’t we all simply indicate when changing direction. Even more helpful if it was one a bit in advance rather than as an afterthought.
We would be interested to hear your views on this topic especially from those who live within our primary customer area. We serve a fairly wide area from Farnham including Tilford, Frensham, Churt, Headley, Headley Down, Lindford, Bordon, Kingsely, Alton, Crondall, Church Crookham, Fleet, Aldershot, Farnborough, Camberley. There are a lot of schools in this area!
Telephone: 01252 217087
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