Paying 35 euros because you don’t know when to use your indicators, it doesn’t just happen to others.
In France, failure to comply with the obligation to correctly signal maneuvers by using indicators can result in second class fines, punishable by a fixed fine of 35 euros. This regulation impacts many drivers who are not always aware of the legal implications of their actions. According to article R412-10 of the Highway Code, the use of direction indicators (flashing) is imperative each time a vehicle is about to change direction or leave a lane of traffic: “Any driver who prepares to make a change in the direction of his vehicle or to slow down its speed must warn other users of his intention.”
However, this rule is not always clear to everyone, and its application varies from one driver to another. Some use their indicators inconsistently or selectively, for example signaling a change of direction when they are actually continuing straight, or failing to signal when leaving a roundabout. Although fines for failure to use turn signals are relatively rare and generally limited to cases where the omission leads to an incident, this negligence frequently causes confusion and delays, particularly in urban areas and at complex intersections. .
The lack of appropriate signage when exiting a roundabout is a major source of confusion and congestion. Roundabouts are designed to ease traffic flow, but without clear signals from all drivers, other users may hesitate or stop moving, causing traffic jams. A similar situation arises when changing direction where the road continues straight but priority is given to those turning, for example to the left. Drivers who do not clearly signal their intention to turn left, even if they plan to do so, or those who incorrectly indicate a right turn, can cause confusion among other road users.
These irregularities in the use of indicators lead to heterogeneous driving rules on French roads, thus reducing trust between drivers and increasing the risk of traffic disruptions.