Car Indicators - Is it me?
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Car Indicators - Is it me?
Maybe it's my age (52) but I struggle to see the front indicator of modern cars - especially when they have lights on. I experience this both in the car and on the bike, I had a near miss this morning with my son on the back of a tandem where I failed to spot a car turning across me who had right of way at a mini roundabout. It was raining (I wear glasses), I was being overtaken and there were roadworks - I was thinking about narrow lane widths on the other side of the junction that distracted me. Barriers and cones also blocked the view of the other car, but I find it frustrating that I still didn't see the indicator. Anyone else have this issue? It seems to happen more when I'm looking at the car from the side rather than head on.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gNFmxovjzRMV8ddmBwMb6lB8XqGolRQr
Dan H
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gNFmxovjzRMV8ddmBwMb6lB8XqGolRQr
Dan H
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
Not just you. I find day running lights on modern cars tend to diminish the visual impact of indicators, plus many drivers don’t even bother to use indicators properly. BTW “right of way” doesn’t actually exist, priority is the correct term.
Power to the pedals
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
danhopgood wrote:Maybe it's my age (52) but I struggle to see the front indicator of modern cars - especially when they have lights on. [...] Anyone else have this issue? It seems to happen more when I'm looking at the car from the side rather than head on.
Yes and I thought it was a problem just after viewtopic.php?p=1269323#p1269323 where someone else reports indicators that aren't aren't visible over a wide radius, but someone else says it's not a problem because they can tell the difference between two shades of yellow.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
On some audis the running light goes off for a few moments so one can see the indicator better
There really should be firm standards. Are indicators easy to see in bright sunshine?
I never trust them anyway. When driving I almost always indicate
There really should be firm standards. Are indicators easy to see in bright sunshine?
I never trust them anyway. When driving I almost always indicate
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
Cyril Haearn wrote:On some audis the running light goes off for a few moments so one can see the indicator better
I think on some audis the running light goes off for a few moments so you can't tell whether there's one or two lights lit. Don't want to make it easy for people to get out of the way, eh eh!
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
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Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
Yep, not just you.
Exactly the same thoughts.
It was way better when the lenses were orange rather than just the bulbs.
Plus headlights are too bright, plus there is a lot of form over function with indicators now it seems.
Exactly the same thoughts.
It was way better when the lenses were orange rather than just the bulbs.
Plus headlights are too bright, plus there is a lot of form over function with indicators now it seems.
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
Not only that, but the indicators are often deeply recessed, focused LEDs with clear lenses that are hopelessly dim from certain angles. They may be more visible than old bulbs at 500 yards straight ahead – DRLs permitting – but that should not take priority over close-range, omnidirectional visibility.
Modern car noses are also so bulbous for aerodynamic reasons that the indicator on the far ‘corner’ cannot be seen outside a narrow range of angles nearly on the car’s axis, especially from close distances. (For example, here the right indicator is hidden behind the car’s own nose. Compare with this clearly visible indicator despite the even less favourable camera angle.) This means you often cannot see the lamp flashing on that side, which would be a reassuring indication of the driver’s intention to imminently point their deadly weapon away from you. Although I never take indicators as a sure sign of anything, I need all the information I can get to balance the many conflicting risks of traffic appropriately.
My complaints about new car lighting would fill a book. It’s unbelievable to me that the regulators have allowed, nay, enabled, this state of affairs.
Modern car noses are also so bulbous for aerodynamic reasons that the indicator on the far ‘corner’ cannot be seen outside a narrow range of angles nearly on the car’s axis, especially from close distances. (For example, here the right indicator is hidden behind the car’s own nose. Compare with this clearly visible indicator despite the even less favourable camera angle.) This means you often cannot see the lamp flashing on that side, which would be a reassuring indication of the driver’s intention to imminently point their deadly weapon away from you. Although I never take indicators as a sure sign of anything, I need all the information I can get to balance the many conflicting risks of traffic appropriately.
My complaints about new car lighting would fill a book. It’s unbelievable to me that the regulators have allowed, nay, enabled, this state of affairs.
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Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
Not unbelievable or surprising at all IMHO
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
Cyril Haearn wrote:On some audis the running light goes off for a few moments so one can see the indicator better
I find that this is the case with most cars fitted with the super-bright running lights.This far better IMO than the old style running lights that didn't dim.My problem is drivers who either indicate miles before turning so you don't know if they're turning or pulling up or those who indicate just as they're about to do the turn
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
I had the same issue some weeks back in bright sunshine, although I would add it was not impeding my vision in terms of glare, it was more a case of sunlight producing a bright reflection within the light unit and masking the lit bulb. Grarea hit the nail on the head: form over function. There is a trend for clear indicator lenses that do nothing to diffuse sunlight and when that is visible in the reflector the indicator bulb is puny in comparison.
I have noticed that many newer cars have multi-faceted light lenses and reflectors that can cause some strange lighting effects. On several occasions (always Volvo's, it seems) I have thought drivers were flashing their headlights at me but it was just the car reacting to the bumpy road surface.
I have noticed that many newer cars have multi-faceted light lenses and reflectors that can cause some strange lighting effects. On several occasions (always Volvo's, it seems) I have thought drivers were flashing their headlights at me but it was just the car reacting to the bumpy road surface.
The older I get the more I’m inclined to act my shoe size, not my age.
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
danhopgood wrote:Maybe it's my age (52) but I struggle to see the front indicator of modern cars....
Not you, many cars these days don't seem to bother to indicate and if they are not indicating your wont see the indicators. Sit waiting to pull out onto a roundabout and watch all those cars turn left without indicating but if they aren't indicating you have to assume they are going straight on.
Ian
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Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
Psamathe wrote:danhopgood wrote:Maybe it's my age (52) but I struggle to see the front indicator of modern cars....
Not you, many cars these days don't seem to bother to indicate and if they are not indicating your wont see the indicators. Sit waiting to pull out onto a roundabout and watch all those cars turn left without indicating but if they aren't indicating you have to assume they are going straight on.
Ian
Never trust an indicator or rely on lack of one
Indicating should be banned I think maybe
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
Some newer Audis (how come only Audi?) have moving strip indicators on the rear, why can't they put them on the front too?
IME it's the high intensity 'bulbs' that are the chief problem along with poor brightness levels for the indicators.
Of course it would help if drivers actually used them too - my pet hate is drivers sat at traffic lights without indicators (going straight right?) who then indicate only when the light has changed to green and i've already decided on a move based on their non signaling.
IME it's the high intensity 'bulbs' that are the chief problem along with poor brightness levels for the indicators.
Of course it would help if drivers actually used them too - my pet hate is drivers sat at traffic lights without indicators (going straight right?) who then indicate only when the light has changed to green and i've already decided on a move based on their non signaling.
Convention? what's that then?
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
foxyrider wrote:Some newer Audis (how come only Audi?) have moving strip indicators on the rear, why can't they put them on the front too?
I have seen a car with animated front indicators. It might well have been an Audi. It still sucked and I would prefer a simple light on the corner and no switching the headlight off.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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Re: Car Indicators - Is it me?
I can sympathise too.
i also find it can be even more difficult seeing a rear car indicator, especially when moton applies the brakes long before giving an intended turn signal to left or right, the brake lights completely overpowering the turn indicator.
When driving in my car i always find it very easy to indicate my turning intention long before a need to apply brakes.
I agree that modern car headlights seem too bright and dazzily, it's as if car manufactures are competing for who can sparkle the most.
i also find it can be even more difficult seeing a rear car indicator, especially when moton applies the brakes long before giving an intended turn signal to left or right, the brake lights completely overpowering the turn indicator.
When driving in my car i always find it very easy to indicate my turning intention long before a need to apply brakes.
I agree that modern car headlights seem too bright and dazzily, it's as if car manufactures are competing for who can sparkle the most.