Did you put the blinker on

[EngLearner]

Suppose you and your friend are parked at the side of the road. He starts the engine, presses the gas pedal, and you're starting to pull out into traffic. You're sitting in the passenger seat next to the driver. You ask your friend:

1. Did you put the blinker on so that other participants know you're pulling out into traffic?

2. Have you put the blinker on so that other participants know you're pulling out into traffic?

I know that in American English #1 would be used. I wonder which version British English speakers would use in this context.

 

[jutfrank]

This is an excellent example of using the present perfect to ask about a present situation. The important thing is whether the blinker is on now.

 

[PeterCW]

Both would be unnatural in BeE.

We say "indicators" not "blinkers". Note the plural, most cars have three on each side.

"Participants" is the wrong word here, we would usually say "drivers" or "road users".

Before the vehicle has moved I would probably just say "have you indicated?" Once the vehicle has moved I might ask "did you indicate?" I would see no reason to explain why indicators should be used unless I was actually giving somebody their first driving lesson.

 

[probus]

In AmE we also don't use the term blinker. If it's on one side only we call it a turn signal, and if on both sides at once we say four-ways or emergency flashers.

 

[emsr2d2]

If all the indicators are on at the same time (BrE) they're "hazard warning lights", often abbreviated to just "hazards".

 

[probus]

Here in Canada the term hazard warning lights is also sometimes used.

 

[Piscean]

Both would be unnatural in BeE.

We say "indicators" not "blinkers".

Quite a few drivers, especially older ones, still refer to them as 'blinkers'.

 

[emsr2d2]

I associate the word "blinker" (and the less common "winker") with the terminology used by young children.

 

[PeterCW]

Quite a few drivers, especially older ones, still refer to them as 'blinkers'.

This older driver doesn't.

 

[Skrej]

I and others in my region use 'blinker' and 'turn signal' interchangeably.