Bermuda's #1 Forum

Dear drivers of Bermuda:

Incase you were not aware, there are these awesome little things on your car, bike, or truck called TURN SIGNALS - some may refer to these as INDICATORS, because as the name implies, using these little marvels actually indicates your intent to other drivers.

Now, I could be wrong, but they must have held the training session on the proper use of the TURN SIGNALS during cup match weekend, which would explain why no one seems to know what they are used for. Here is a handy list for your future reference:

- It is most helpful if you use the appropriate TURN SIGNAL in ADVANCE of making your move, rather than flipping them on after you have already cut off the driver in the other lane to get ahead of them. Also a wave of the hand and beep of the horn does NOT make up for the panic attack you have just caused by cutting the other driver off.

- Using a turn signal in advance of turning onto another road is also particularily helpful to the drivers behind you, because it lets them know that a slow down/stop is imminent. Even if your preferred method of slowing down/stopping is to SLAM on your brakes at the last moment before turning, the drivers behind you can anticipate this action.

- When it is desired to change lanes on roads such as Crow Lane/East Broadway, it is most curteous of you to indicate your desire using the appropriate turn signal, and merge with traffic. It is not appropriate to stop DEAD in the lane you are in, and telepathically communicate such desires to the drivers in the lane you wish to be in while holding up all the traffic behind you - who are now leaving the lane to go into the other lane because they have no idea why you stopped.

- I know that this is a whacktastic idea, but you can even use the turn signal to indicate when you are going to pass another vehicle using the opposing lane...I'm good at coming up with marveloous new ideas! Try it, lemme know if it works for you.

As has already been mentioned in another post, there are appropriate methods for using your signals at roundabouts as well.

I know that the turn signal isn't as much fun as using your horn, and not as flashy as using your brights...heck, you can't even see them except for the little ticking noise and light on your dash, you wouldn't even know they were there. Which brings me to the last point:

After you have completed any maneouver using your indicators, make sure they are now safely in the off position, so that you are not miscommunicating another turn for you is up ahead....

Next refresher course will be on how to drive with your foot OFF the brake so that you don't cause an accident when you actually do have to stop. There are great little lights on the back of your car that glow RED when you hit the brakes to warn the people behind you that you are slowing down and/or stopping.

I trust the above is helpful.

Note:

When I type ADV_ANCE it comes up ADtigga...

you've been here long enough. Spell it the bermudian way!

adWANCE!

BTW, GREAT post. k2u. That cracked me up.

Man I remember Project Ride back in the day...look in mirror, put on indicator, look in mirror, signal with hand, look in mirror, make turn...

What you guys don't do that all the time?

You only look in the mirror so much 'cuz you so pretty, LiF!

Indicators are only there for when you're double parked outside Leisure time, nothing else.  Didn't you read your little TCD booklet? ;)

"When I type ADV_ANCE it comes up ADtigga..."

Yeah, that's a glitch in the system. It should be ADDtigga.... ;)

:approve:

:) Thanks!

I am seriously going to start kicking cars that piss me off like this...
I also have a few words for my fellow bike riders...but most of them are cuss words!

It should be noted that vehicles in Bermuda are not required by law to have indicators attached to them.

However, I do agree with you in that people with them should have the courtesy to indicate to others what their intentions are. It's a simple step that I'm sure would avoid a lot of accidents/close calls...

 8)

FOR REALZ?   :blink:

Then how come when you go to TCD they test for them?

From what I understand, if you have them, they must function properly.  If you don't have them (I've never seen a car without them, only bikes) it will pass, but you still need to use proper hand signals to indicate your intention.

The D has it correct. Taken from bermudalaws.bm:

MOTOR CAR (CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND USE) REGULATIONS 1952
Direction indicators
23 (1) Where any direction indicator is fitted to a motor car it shall be maintained in proper working order...

     (3) Nothing in this regulation shall be construed so as to require the fitting of a direction indicator to a motor car.

On a motorcycle you can only remove the indicators if they are the kind that attach and stick-out from the side of the bike. If they are fitted into the plastics you cannot remove them (and they must work to pass TCD).

Ah...like most legislation on this rock, it is outdated --- 1952! That makes sense now!

Wikigrl I am so with you on the lack of indicator usage by people. Whether on the vehicle or using hand-signals, there'd be far less "accidents" if people used them correctly.

And no, using the indicator while already turning doesn't count.

And no, having no hands free to signal because one hand's on the wheel and the other's propping your cell phone doesn't count either.

Really wish that the powers that be could sensibly crackdown on this.

A friend of mine had the best comment when such incidents occurred:-

For ****'s sake, you'd think these are ****ing oranges on that car?  ****in hell, they're not ****ing fruit, so ****in use them.

Apologies for the language, but there is no other way to say it....

i am dedicating myself as a power that be...i am seriously going to start kicking people's vehicles!

I am seriously going to start kicking cars that piss me off like this...
I also have a few words for my fellow bike riders...but most of them are cuss words!
[/quote] Tink habowt hit..........

Yah gunna start keekin cars ann trahucks? What will the  "Indicator Police" do? Now instead of chasing offenders, they have to be taken off their duties to chase "911 call in Car Kickers". I mean what a Cop supposed too do? Plus, the Cell Phone Cops are lurking but they see a person kick a car/truck then the 'apples and oranges non indicator guy/gall goes by'....What the hell do you want.?

Next you'll want the SWAT team to come to clean up the accident site that left four Cops lying in the road because someone reported that the culprit did'nt have their indicator on and they have to call George Jackson and Carlton Adams out and bring out of retirement Roseanda Jones to track down Clive Donald who's chasing Alex Forbes who just lost a bet with Johnny Smith on the foorball fight at the 2000 Cup Match..................then yah gunna want to call Larry Dennis to sort out the costs because they have not been submitted by the appropriate Gov. Dept.............................

Rummy says..............Hug a COP and geeve hit UP.........

You sure as hell won't call Gombey House...they are not there.

As for the Motor Car Act 1952....please read all amendments and those of the Road Traffic Act. It's all covered so don't rely on the actual Act. It's all there in Pink and Blue...............

Gotta run.............off to Denver....Obama needs a rum..................................... ;)

Wiki - sorry to derail the thread just a slightly intsy wintsy tiny bit, but the thing that gets my goat and gets me shouting "Oi Dumkopf" is at Collectors Hill and the traffic lights.  I've said it before and i'll say it again, those numb nuts that block the entrances and exits to the shops there and cause huge tail backs as cars going in can't get in and cause a backlog of traffic not being able to get through the lights - well, lets just say it really gets on my wick!

*rant over*

 ::)

That isn't thread derailing! No worries! I hate that too!

I also hate it when bikes pass on the right...especially at the area - but I got the laugh of my life when some dork passed on the right and wrecked his bike when the side of it smashed up agains the side walk as there was not enough room to go through! Hope he learned his lesson!

YoGurls re sumtin.....yah jus massed hup.....I'll gatt beck..cahant remember vat eye vaws gunna sey.....Typical eh?

Gotta............ :slap: :)

I've removed that tigga translation.  You may advance once more.

@Jimmy_Jones - if you have to apologize for the language, I'm sure you can find a way to express it without the f-word expletive.

Wikigirl - very funny. K2U.

Thing is, I was spelling it with an E instead of a U, per the Irish way of talking, I guess that's not acceptable so message understood.

Since they got the traffic lights operational at that junction, has there been a marked decrease in traffic collisions? Because sometimes, I still see bikes fly through the intersection, anticipating the green light.

Wikigorl, did you mean "pass on the left"? Was trying to see how a bike could smash into the sidewalk from the right.

Forgive me, yes, I meant pass on the left...I'm all turned around over here!