The non-use transcends all types or roads, as well as private and commercial vehicles like taxis and limos.

Stubborn non-use of indicators is behind many road accidents that are caused by sudden lane swerving.

In 47 per cent of lane change and turn instances, indicators were not used, revealed a study by RoadSafetyUAE. It was based on more than 5,000 observed maneuvers on UAE roads between February and June 2019.

Sudden lane change/lane swerving was the leading cause of death in the UAE in 2018, killing 59 people and causing major injuries to 495, according to official data.

Very often, motorists change lanes, merge onto highways, exit highways, turn at T-junctions or 4-way junctions or exit roundabouts without the use of indicators. Even fines of Dh200 in Abu Dhabi (3 black points) or Dh400 in Dubai don't act as a deterrent.

The non-use transcends all types or roads, as well as private and commercial vehicles like taxis and limos.

"As always in road safety, it is up to us - the drivers - to lead by example and to display a caring attitude towards ourselves and everyone around us. It's the law to use the indicator so let's just do it!", pointed out Thomas Edelmann, Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE. "It was interesting to observe in our 'behind the wheel' study that the use of indicators seems to be 'infectious'! Meaning that if one vehicle actually does use the indicators, suddenly you see many other vehicles around also using their indicators, which is very encouraging and it substantiates the statement that we all have to lead by example!", Edelmann added.

The lack of indicator use is not only a nuisance and a sign of poor road habits and impolite behaviour, but it can also be dangerous when motorists don't indicate to other where they want to move, he said.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com