Drivers urged to count 'indicator flashes a minute' ahead of £2,500 fines

A rapidly flashing indicator light on a vehicle could be a warning of a serious electrical fault which, if left unattended, could cause greater damage.
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Drivers warned over a common driving defect carrying a £2,500 fine which breaks Highway Code rules. A rapidly flashing indicator light on a vehicle could be a warning of a serious electrical fault which, if left unattended, could cause greater damage.

Rule 160 of the Highway Code dictates: “Give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked it is not misleading to signal at that time. Use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off. Cancel them after use and make sure your signals will not confuse others.

“If, for instance, you want to stop after a side road, do not signal until you are passing the road. If you signal earlier, it may give the impression that you intend to turn into the road. Your brake lights will warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down. Remember that signalling does not give you priority.”

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Experts have stated that indicators should blink between 60 and 120 times per minute, according to official Labour Party government guidance. A light that blinks faster than this signposts an underlying issue, Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, warned.

He said: “The most common cause is that one of the indicator bulbs on the side of the car in which you’re turning has blown. It might be the front bulb, the bulb on the side of the car near the door, the bulb in your wing mirror, or the indicator light at the rear.

“If an indicator bulb isn’t illuminating, that’s clearly bad news as it means that you’re not capable of signalling your intentions to other road users." He went on: “If you’re pulled over by the police and found to have a malfunctioning indicator, you could be issued a fixed penalty notice of £50.”

Mr Conway commented: “If the indicator is flashing more rapidly than usual, you should be able to see and hear this difference from inside your car. To check, simply take turns indicating right and left while you’re parked and check each side of the car to find out which lamp bulb is malfunctioning."