British motorists could be hit with fines of up to £5,000 and nine penalty points for a simple indicator error, under the Road Traffic Act 1988. The offence of driving 'without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons' can be triggered by failing to signal correctly or not indicating at all.
According to the Highway Code, drivers must check and signal before manoeuvring, avoid signalling too early, and cancel indicators after use. Manual arm signals may also be used as an extra precaution, though this is not recommended on twisty roads or where there is oncoming traffic.
Mark Royal, operations manager at Goodbye Car, said: 'Knowing when (and when not) to indicate is a skill of its own, given there are no black and white rules. But it’s incredibly important to learn when they should be used for the safety of yourself and other motorists.'
A fixed-penalty notice typically results in a £100 fine and three points, but the maximum penalty for careless driving is nine points and a £5,000 fine. Police have listed other instances that could be considered careless or inconsiderate driving.
Drivers unsure whether to signal on bends, roundabout exits, or when pulling over are advised to indicate as a safety precaution.
