Widdershins

Sir,

It appears that we in the UK have been hoodwinked in the interests of mass production into accepting a change to a basic control that makes its usage distinctly awkward. I refer to the indicator stalk being shifted from the right to the left of the steering column.

It is much easier to extend a finger to the right-hand stalk whilst changing gear than the other way. If a car displays a penchant for self-cancelling then turning without an active signal is easily perpetrated, the left hand being otherwise engaged with the gear stick.

I expect this left-handedness originates from imported cars with the entire steering column assembly switched over for RHD, but now both Ford of Britain and Austin Rover have adopted this daft arrangement for the UK market. If the continental driver is given the facility of changing gear and signalling independently, why shouldn’t we?

Lingfield, Surrey. N J DIXEY