On the roads of Luxembourg certain bad habits while driving seem to be all too common.  One can be forgiven for thinking, for example, that using indicators is an option in the Grand Duchy – It is not.

Whether on the motorway, on roundabouts or crossroads, driving around Luxembourg can sometimes be frustrating as the car in front of us makes an unexpected move with no indication.
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This is not simply a Luxembourg problem of course and is a Europe-wide issue.  A study by ADAC, the German breakdown service estimates that a third of motorists don’t indicate correctly in Europe.

In Switzerland a campaign is currently running to educate people that indicating is not an option.  Swiss police state that many road accidents stem from not indicating or forgetting to switch off an indicator. Educational leaflets are being handed out and 100 Swiss Franc fines slapped on offending drivers.  Wouldn’t this be a good idea for Luxembourg?

On roundabouts it seems a big issue as motorists often don’t indicate their intention to leave it, or do it only at the last second.  Motorways with higher speeds can of course have far greater consequences for not indicating when changing lanes, a major issue on Luxembourg’s often dense motorways.

Once the driving test is passed, all too often the basics of driving are forgotten, like warning other drivers of our intention to overtake or checking blind spots.  Those who have taken a British driving test will no doubt remember the phrase “mirror – signal – manoeuvre” , steps  that some drivers need to re-study.

So what is the actual law in Luxembourg?

Well first of all, indicating is not an option it is obligatory (despite what some drivers might think) and has been the law since 1955 so nothing new.  If you are caught by police not indicating correctly, then you can be fined 49 EUR.  This also applies for indicating too late or the misuse of indicators.

Finally as an extra note: The name of the flashing yellow lights are called “indicators” in English for a reason as they indicate your intention to other drivers as to what you plan to do.  They aren’t for showing other drivers what you are actually doing – a lesson that many drivers in Luxembourg could learn from!