Indicate or hazard to say thanks?

[mcdjl]

Having noticed lorries (and increasingly cars) use their indicators or hazard lights as a thank you when you flash them into a lane is there any thoughts on which one is best? What I mean is that the thanker who was indicating left will indicate right then left again or give a flash of their hazard lights. Both seem to be common but are either in the highway code?

[ironictwist]

I'm sceptical it's mentioned anywhere in the HC. I do either raising a hand to say thanks, let the hazards blink twice or a single flash. All seem to do the trick

[SamHH]

Neither method is prescribed or recommended in the Highway Code and using hazard lights other than when stationary or to warn of a hazard ahead on a motorway or unrestricted dual-carriageway is illegal. As to which is best, I don't think it matters, but obviously you need to be careful that you don't mislead other road users about what you are signalling. For example, in the situation you describe, if there is a second person in lane 2 who is beginning to overtake the two lane 1 vehicles (the 'thanker' and the 'thankee'), they could be misled into thinking that the thanker is moving back into lane 2 if he sees a right indicator being flashed. The same could happen with hazard lights if the overtaker can only see the thanker's offside indicator.

[Cue]

indicators right and left on road, hazzards on track.

[SamHH]

Cue said:

indicators right and left on road, hazzards on track.

What's the rationale for that?

[robwales]

I just raise my hand, covering the rear view mirror.

[The Black Flash]

Used to do the left-right-left indicator thing, but current car has that lane change thing where one touch of the indicators does three flashes. So now I raise a hand or do the hazard thing, depending on which I think they'll see most easilly.

Signalling like this is something the HC is well out of touch with IMO. Everyone flashes their headlights to thank someone for letting them through a gap, for example, yet the HC continues to tell us we shouldn't, without providing any alternative.

[mrmr96]

A single flash of the Hazards is best. Reason being, as others have mentioned, is that a LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT could be easily mis-interpreted by other people. Whereas a single flash on Hazards doesn't imply that you're about to change lanes.

[rasputin]

The Black Flash said:

Everyone flashes their headlights to thank someone for letting them through a gap

They do?
In my experience, a flash of the lights can mean:

• You can pull out in front of me
• Thank you for letting me pull out in front of you
• Watch out because I'm going to pull out in front of you
• How dare you pull out in front of me when I had right of way
• You should have your lights on
• You should dip your full beam lights
• Speed up asshole, don't you realise you're only doing 30mph?

It is impossible for the Highway Code to suggest anything other than they do.
Assume a flash of the lights is a signal that the other car is there.

[parapaul]

Flashing lights is one thing I have personally been much more careful with as an AD. I don't quite make it as far as the prescribed 3-second flash, but if I do flash my lights, I give a good, constant, second or two. I only ever do it now to indicate my position... If drivers in front choose to take that as a signal to pull out (or back in) that's their lookout

As for thanks, I raise my hand. Too much of a PITA to flash hazards or indicators in my car

[Sagacitas]

When driving a car (and with a car behind) I raise my hand. otherwise indicate left and right.

Remember that with lorries you can't see them raise their hand - which is why I believe they use the lights approach.

When done with hazards it always seems to be a quick on off. easier than using the indicators as it is simply one button to press. But I still prefer to use the indicators.

I have seen this used in many countries around the world. Even the US and Canada the truckers with their CBs will still say thank you via their lights.

Richard

[BertBert]

parapaul said:

If drivers in front choose to take that as a signal to pull out (or back in) that's their lookout

Doesn't sound very sensible logic to me. If they pull out in front of you mis-understanding your signal, it could well be your problem!

The AD approach would be to avoid giving a signal that is likely to mislead other drivers.

Bert

[Sagacitas]

When driving a car (and with a car behind) I raise my hand. otherwise indicate left and right.

Remember that with lorries you can't see them raise their hand - which is why I believe they use the lights approach.

When done with hazards it always seems to be a quick on off. easier than using the indicators as it is simply one button to press. But I still prefer to use the indicators.

I have seen this used in many countries around the world. Even the US and Canada the truckers with their CBs will still say thank you via their lights.

Richard

[The Black Flash]

rasputin said:

The Black Flash said:

Everyone flashes their headlights to thank someone for letting them through a gap

They do?
In my experience, a flash of the lights can mean:

• You can pull out in front of me
• Thank you for letting me pull out in front of you
• Watch out because I'm going to pull out in front of you
• How dare you pull out in front of me when I had right of way
• You should have your lights on
• You should dip your full beam lights
• Speed up asshole, don't you realise you're only doing 30mph?

It is impossible for the Highway Code to suggest anything other than they do.
Assume a flash of the lights is a signal that the other car is there.

Indeed, but signals are needed for, thanks, please go, I'm letting you out, etc etc. People will invent things in the absence of any standards, which is exactly what happens now. For example, a long flash of the headlights to a vehical overtaking you on a motorway means "you are clear to pull in". It has become established as a standard because such a signal was needed.

The HC can carry on ignoring this and telling people not to do it, but it simply makes itself irrelevant by doing so.

[SamHH]

The Black Flash said:

For example, a long flash of the headlights to a vehical overtaking you on a motorway means "you are clear to pull in". It has become established as a standard because such a signal was needed.

Why is it needed?

[parapaul]

BertBert said:

parapaul said:

If drivers in front choose to take that as a signal to pull out (or back in) that's their lookout

Doesn't sound very sensible logic to me. If they pull out in front of you mis-understanding your signal, it could well be your problem!

The AD approach would be to avoid giving a signal that is likely to mislead other drivers.

Bert

The AD approach would be to never need to make this kind of signal - in an ideal world you'd never be in a position where you had to allow someone to pull out - or in - your practised awareness and exquisite road positioning would mean you permanently drove with space all around you

[Vipers]

Irritates me when some plonker pulls up where he shouldnt, ie double yellows to go in the shop, puts hazards on (illegal in this situation).

Some other plonker parks behind him, and all you see on approach is the offside indicator of the front vehicle, numerous times I have flashed them to pull out, thinking thats what they intend to do.

[Ricky_M]

I ussually give an indicator wobble to a helpful driver, if I'm in vans with no rear windows, otherwise, I'll just raise my hand.

I actually have to use the hazards as way of thanks in the works Transit, as it has those indicators that flash three times if you tap them, more of a pain in the arse than anything, most van drivers don't indicate anyway!