Why do people stop using their indicators/turn signals?

[bluesblaster]

If we had flying cars would people use them ? probably not, and some poor bastard that had to stay on the ground would probably get squished from the falling flaming wreckage of a mid air flying car collision, senseless any way you look at it.

I also have this theory that a superior race of aliens is breeding with humans and that the "hybrids" have been endowed with telepathic powers, therefore never needing to actually see an indicator light from an oncoming vehicle, the only flaw is that there is still a good percentage of the population that has not successfully bred with alien DNA yet, and consequently not developed the telepathic abilities of the hybrids, leading to a lot of unfortunate confusion and chaos at a crossroad when indicator lights are not used properly.

 

[Tom Lane]

I keep an eye on their vehicle during the turn. The only time we get close is if they get ahead of me and try to murge across. If they get anywhere close I slam the horn and bring it to everyone's attention in hopes that an officer sees this and pulls them over. If we do hit it won't be too big a deal. We'll be going less than 25 and the accident will show they were at fault because they 1. Hit a vehicle in front of them and 2. they were in the incorrect lane on impact.

I feel that driving licenses shouldn't be renewable online like they are now unless it's due to a change of address or name change. I would rather have everyone retake the driving test every few years. I think this would in the least keep the laws fresh in peoples minds. All too often I come across people who don't actually know things like right of way, speed limit of an unmarked residential area, or what to do when an emergency vehicle is coming.

The speed limit in California is only 55? Parts of Texas are up to 85 now.

Got it. You "engineer" an collision between two-ton vehicles that you won't be blamed for, due to the technicalities of the law and ignore the potential harm that's caused to property and body to prove your point. Self-righteous to the extreme; I would encourage you to do some soul searching and think if your behavior is really targeting your goals. I expect not. I don't expect that you'd like to maim a 20 year old for life with one leg significantly shorter than the other because you don't "approve" of their driving behavior. Or maybe I'm wrong and you really are that uncompassionate.

Personally, I am all for more rigorous driver's licensing in the U.S. because IME, U.S. driver's do not have anywhere near the comprehension of the mass and momentum they're operating. I'd like every U.S. driver to take their responsibility to cause death and dismemberment as seriously as warranted.

 

[fretter]

I would've said SUVs, but yeah.

I drive an SUV, so I had to blame somebody else.

 

[Fiset]

I'm at the point now where if a guy in another lane is clearly speeding, and seems like he's going to try to pass everybody without signalling, I just strategically place my car such that he can't pass. I've seen those guys go within six inches of the car in front of them for a good twenty minutes. It may not be particularly nice, but I've found that sometimes being the downright mean guy that keeps people from taking advantage of a situation is ultimately better than being "nice". Plus, you know, basic driving etiquette matters.

edit: when I say place, I mean the car is still moving, but the way it's spaced out between myself and the car ahead of him in his lane, he can't pass without hitting somebody.

Here's one potential outcome of doing that:

 

[One Drop]

Here's one potential outcome of doing that:

It's actually also way more dangerous than the behaviour it's meant to correct.

 

[Fiset]

It's actually also way more dangerous than the behaviour it's meant to correct.

Exactly. I don't like it when someone comes blazing up on me weaving in and out of traffic but the last thing I'm gonna do is cut him off and intentionally create a hostile confrontation at 60+ mph.

 

[FilterFunk]

On the freeways, too frequently, signaling my intention to change lanes is met by the driver in the next lane over speeding up to prevent my lane change

This drives me nuts. It's different if I'm one of those jerks who passes everyone to get to the off ramp without having to wait, but there have been times when traffic is fairly light and I just want to change lanes. There can be a good 3-car-length cushion, and some idiot will still speed up just to keep you out. I guess petty little people need petty little victories to keep them going.

 

[Pilgrim]

Everyone who is driving must have used their indicators at some point, because presumably you have to use them to pass your driving test. So at some point in the intervening years, some people stop using them. Why is this? Do you use your turn signals? If not, why not?

Because many people are inconsiderate, self-centered twerps while driving, and never think about how other people are reacting to them. They drive in their own little world, unaware of the need to let anyone else know what they're doing. That's only fair, since they are totally unaware of what everyone ELSE is doing. They drive in their own little universe where only they exist.

When I lived in Texas, I used to joke that the state needed to pass a law making it legal for pickup drivers to use their turn signals.

 

[Richland123]

I use my turn signals all the time. People not using turn signals is a major cause of accidents involving vehicles as pedestrians.

It is illegal not to use them and police should ticket more people for not using them. It's not hard to use them.

I can't read other driver's minds when they decide to just turn or change lanes suddenly.

 

[slobake]

I just turn mine on and leave it on all the time just in case. I turn the radio up so I don't have to hear that annoying click, click sound. I also enjoy it when pay wave frantically to me on the freeway and point at the rear of my car. I just wave back, smile and pretend like I don't know what they are trying to tell me.

 

[Pilgrim]

I just turn mine on and leave it on all the time just in case. I turn the radio up so I don't have to hear that annoying click, click sound. I also enjoy it when pay wave frantically to me on the freeway and point at the rear of my car. I just wave back, smile and pretend like I don't know what they are trying to tell me.

You should live in Florida.

 

[bluesblaster]

Its such an effort to raise your hand to grab ahold of that little lever and move it an inch up or an inch down, obviously much to taxing for some.

 

[ZenG]

Why?......they're lazy and inconsiderate.....and don't interrupt them while they're texting.....

 

[pie_man_25]

Here's one potential outcome of doing that:

Whelp, I'm not doing that again.

 

[fjadams]

Theories are all fine and dandy. But, the real reason is that cars are worth more when traded in with original equipment. By never using the turn signals you are assuring yourself of a better value when buying your next vehicle as the bulbs will definitely be an original equipment item.

 

[Pilgrim]

AH! It's all about preserving those precious turn signal lamps.

 

[Bassamatic]

NOT using your blinkers is the ultimate discourteous, disrespectful F**K YOU to the rest of the drivers on the highway. It says "I am so self-important and self-involved I don't have to turn on my blinkers". C'Mon - you only have to move ONE FINGER TWO INCHES!

This is probably one of the most important things that can be done to help eliminate traffic collisions. Let people know what you are about to do! It's even MORE important now as many drivers are on the phone and otherwise distracted while driving.

I am a fairly aggressive driver - I like to drive fast. I have been driving for more than 50 years here in L.A. without ever being in a collision (There is no such thing as an "accident"). Of course I am super aware of what others are doing, but I also signal like crazy! I use the blinkers for a long while before I turn or change lanes. I tap the brakes when slowing down to get the attention of the driver behind me who is likely distracted. I switch on my emergency flashers when traffic slows suddenly, especially on the freeway where 70-80 is normal, even with 55 or 65 being the legal limit. I also leave a long space in front of me for the idiot weavers that are always trying to get 10 feet ahead, and so that others can merge onto the freeway without forcing everyone else to stop in heavy traffic.

USE YOUR FRIGGIN' BLINKERS!

 

[Tom Lane]

The really interesting thing that this thread reveals is that most of us are so sure we understand the motivations behind other driver's actions, and yet, based on the responses, much of the time, most of us are... wrong.

 

[fhm555]

Down here if you turn them on up on the interstate, someone behind you will speed up to fill the hole you are trying to move into so it's best to just move when it's clear.

Oddly enough a few weeks back I used lack of turn indicator use as basis for a rant on our general lack of communication these days. I asked how could anyone be reasonably expected to communicate on any meaningful level when we couldn't even communicate on the most basic of levels, that being a blinking light to let people know we wanted to move in the direction of the blinking light.

 

[Journey55]

I like to think the other drivers are just very environmentally conscious and are just trying to conserve energy by not turning on their blinkers. Of course that doesn't stop me from honking at them when they merge at the last second with no warning.