Why Trusting Self Cancelling Signals can be Dangerous

I totally agree with this. Strangly though I just passed my driving test late last year and my driving instructor was always admonishing me for canceling my signal. She said I should just let it happen on its own. You are the first one to actually validate what I have been doing all along.

To me it looks like the difference is that the Leon doesn't cancel the signal until the wheel is nearly centred, whereas the MX-5 cancels the signal well before the steering wheel is centred.

To be honest, self cancelling signals have caused me more annoyance than it has saved me from. I'd rather it not be a feature.

I’ve been relying on self-cancelling signals when I know it will cancel itself in my learner’s car. Then I started motorcycle lessons and of course forgetting to cancel is a major safety hazard.

I'm not even British, nor have I tried to pass a driving exam in the UK, but your videos helped me a lot nonetheless! Passed on the first try! Thanks so much, Richard

My opinion on blinkers is I don't trust them. I will not pull out into traffic because someone signaled that they are turning (clearing the way for me). If I did trust them I would have been in at least a dozen car accidents. People signaling blocks early. I appreciate people using them but I don't trust them until they have started to turn.

I've driven several cars where you can activate a short signal by slightly tapping the stalk. It's the worst system because you can't cancel it, in fact tapping in the opposite direction will activate the turn signal on the other side creating a vicious cycle

Also good to remember that others may not be good with their signals. In the case where it seemed like he would turn after the roundabout, I was taught to sit and wait to see if the other driver commits the turn, or if they just miss-signalled

I passed my driving exam 3 days ago.Your videos help me a lot.Thank you Richard

Because I want to control my signal use, I often end up having to reapply a few times because of the self-cancelling and then at the end, still end up cancelling it myself. It makes the system feel a bit pointless at times. Bonus points for the frustration when sometimes you'd want to switch the signal on while it's on the mechanical treshold that would cancel it, and accidentally pressing against that creates the awful crunch. In roundabouts I sometimes do the one click first to get three flashes without self cancelling, and then finish it off by moving the stalk again. I've also experimented with some cars that let you change how many flashes you get from that one push. Five seems to be pretty nice... More cars could have that. The continuous hold also works, I do it sometimes. It'd just be nicer to have both hands fully available for the steering.

Got told by my driving instructor I had no chance of passing my test. 2 weeks of watching your videos I passed with 1 d/f. Over the moon thank you for the help!

Love your videos Richard, the end of 2023 was amazing when I passed my driving test with 1 minor (for mirrors signalling)without lesson! (watching your videos purely) on first try, I will continue to watch and learn your videos in 2024, 25, 26 etc. (I'm the same one that commented on your Richard Flanders air vidox video and asked for a second heart 😂

Hi Richard! I passed my theory test today with the help of your expansive road knowledge 🎉 Thank you!! Now I'm trawling through everything I haven't yet seen to help with the practical side as lessons start 24th. You're so valued 👑

Literally had this situation today, someone was indicating left coming to a roundabout (therefore presenting the gap for me to join the roundabout at the next entrance) - instead of going off at the first exit they went straight and nearly crashed into me. It's so important to get signalling right, it's basically the only thing telling other people what you're planning to do with the car.

When I was young road testers repeatedly condemned Citroen for not having self cancelling indicators. The testers were foolish, but Citroen gave in and fitted them. Ditto, Citroens were condemned for rolling on corners, whilst having the best ride available, with excellent grip. I’m very wary of all road tests.

Just came here to thank you for your stellar videos!! Passed my test this morning, 3rd time, and I drove with a ‘Richard commentary’ in my head the entire time, it really worked😆

I have never seen such a well explain and comprehensive channel, subbed!

@ConquerDriving i just passed my practical test this morning. Started at 7:50 AM in Widnes, NW. Just want to share the good news and say thanks. Your videos have helped me a lot

Very nice video! And what a surprise in the end, I didn't expect!!! When you first tried in Mazda I really thought as well it cancels more easily, but weird to see in the end that it cancels less! 😆 Thank you for your wonderful and very helpful videos!!! 👍👍👍

Also as an experienced driver you do learn to read more than the signal from other drivers . For example if waiting at a junction and someone is signaling left in , but they don't appear to be slowing, you don't go as it could be a miss leading signal