Signaling: Setting the indicators helps to avoid accidents.

Setting the indicator right increases road safety – for oneself and others. We explain, when and where indicating is mandatory.

To indicate your direction timely draws the attention of other traffic participants to your driving behaviour. Photo: Audi

It should go without saying, thus, as the General German Automobile Association (ADAC) reports, only two thirds of all road users indicate correctly. Yet it is essential to indicate properly and timely in order to indicate one’s own driving behaviour to other traffic participants. Road users that are reluctant to use the indicators increase the risk of accidents, whether by ignorance or laziness. If they get caught, they risk a penalty of 10 Euros.

Motorzeitung.de  has put together where and when indicators have to be set:

• Before turning, you have to indicate your direction, also on bending main roads and roads with directional arrows. On right and left-hand turn lanes, you need to set the indicator before taking the lane. If you intend to turn and had to stop on a red traffic light, the indicator has to be activated already – not just when you start driving again.
• If you want to overtake another car, you have to activate the indictor before and after the queue-jump. This also applies to passing a car or an obstacle. It is important to be aware of higher speeds on highways and to indicate lange changes early enough. The same goes for joining and leaving the motorway.
• It also happens that you indicate too much, e.g. in roundabouts. The indicator only has to be set when leaving, but to be absent when entering the traffic circle.

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