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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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 👑

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

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😆

5:00 reminds me of this for aviation: Aviate, navigate, communicate or for cars: control the car, get where you need to be, tell everyone

@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 good and important video for all drivers. This is the right way how should be the indicators engaged

These days, it is common knowledge that half-pressing the stock flashes the turn signals three to seven times, depending on the settings you chose, but I don't usually see people talking about holding the stock in the halfway position to turn on the signals for precisely as long as you need to without the self-canceling feature kicking in. And it is such a useful way of using the turn signals, so thanks for covering this topic! As for the sensitive turn signals on your Mazda, I have to say, the collective wizdom and attentiveness of your viewers is amazing. After reading the comments I watched the video again and noticed that while the mechanism on Mazda activates later than on Leon, it clicks off earlier. In other words, in your Leon the turn signals turns off at an eighth of a turn, but on your Mazda they turn of at around a quarter of a turn. Meaning if you are going through a bend and it gradually unwinds the turn signal will turn off earlier on Mazda than on Leon. I believe it's the most plausible explanation and your community is absolutely amazing for noticing this.