Why do people stop using their indicators/turn signals?

[Fiset]

About cell phone usage- I'd like to see a law passed that allowed law enforcement to photograph offenders and immediately confiscate their phone.

I'd totally be on board with that. Cell phone usage while driving is becoming an epidemic. Every single time I go anywhere now, I see at least a dozen (or more) drivers texting or otherwise paying attention to their phones. They're easy to spot. They weave, they don't pay attention to traffic flow and they are causing serious accidents every single day. I'd like to see a zero tolerance policy on people caught using their phones while behind the wheel. No warnings, no second chances....you get caught texting while driving, you lose your phone on the spot and your license is suspended. There needs to be significant consequence for these people who can't unwed themselves from their devices and therefore put the lives of those around them at constant risk.

 

[bluesblaster]

I just read this morning that the new updated law in my state concerning cellphone use (or abuse) while driving has been raised to a draconian $200 fine for a second offense .........Wow, guess that should straighten those inattentive drivers right out.

 

[wraub]

My comment on this: Use the signals. They came free with the car, and besides, if you had blinking lights for no reason, you'd be a christmas tree.

 

[bluesblaster]

that's quite profound

 

[96tbird]

My comment on this: Use the signals. They came free with the car, and besides, if you had blinking lights for no reason, you'd be a christmas tree.

Plus you may run out of blinker fluid. (CB jargon to notify another truck driver he left his signal on).

 

[aborgman]

The mere act of signaling does nut mean you can begin to move into occupied space. The occupier has right Of way.

Nope.

The occupier does not have right of way.

The person merging must yield the right of way - but under the law, no one has the right of way.

The law only specifies who must yield.

The concept of the right of way is important to understand since the law never really grants the right of way. The law simply states when the right of way must be yielded.

 

[Lobster11]

Nope.

The occupier does have right of way.

The person merging must yield the right of way - but under the law, no one has the right of way.

The law only specifies who must yield.

Interesting -- but it sounds to me like a distinction without a difference. In practical terms, doesn't it mean the same thing either way -- i.e., in terms of who is obliged to yield to whom? I'm not trying to be a jerk -- I'm genuinely curious.

 

[aborgman]

Interesting -- but it sounds to me like a distinction without a difference. In practical terms, doesn't it mean the same thing either way -- i.e., in terms of who is obliged to yield to whom? I'm not trying to be a jerk -- I'm genuinely curious.

In a two car scenario - it is somewhat of a distinction without a difference. In multiple vehicles situations, it may not be.

 

[Lobster11]

In a two car scenario - it is somewhat of a distinction without a difference. In multiple vehicles situations, it may not be.

How so?

 

[RED J]

Here in Tennessee people only use their signal if they are behind the very rare car in the front of the line that possibly cuts through the cobwebs to use theirs. Then, all five cars who are not turning will follow suit. otherwise, they figure brake lights tell the whole story.
You think I'm kiddin', don't you ?

 

[Solarmist]

I only use them if there's someone fairly close behind me, but I also live out in the boonies where there's little traffic during the non rush hour. I used to drive VW Bugs (pre 67' with the 6 volt system), and several of them all of them had electrical problems so the turn signals didn't work all the time so consequently - I use them sparingly to this day.

 

[the harp unstrung]

Just a few random observations...chronologically: My mom and I agreed that she wouldn't sign my N.Y. driver's permit until I cut my hair. By the time I finally did, at 18, I was so used to hitch hiking that I never signed up to take the test until another year had passed by. That was the year that the national speed limit went down to 55...and I was so young and dumb that I believed that 55 was REALLY the speed limit, and so I've always taken it seriously.
As I've told you all here, I have always been an almost comically safe driver...and that's the way I taught my kids to drive. They rolled their eyes when they were 13 and 15, and in the back seat, but neither has ever felt metal on metal...and that's a good thing. DO NOT TAILGATE...CHECK OVER YOUR SHOULDERS BEFORE LANE CHANGES...EVERY TIME...ASSume that the other guy is going to do something wrong, and keep your distance...and don't you ever get behind the wheel after you've cracked that second beer. It ain't rocket science. When in doubt, always let the other guy go first. Eye contact at a 4-way stop situation is always a good thing...but now I'm starting to sound too preachy!
All hail Lobster11 (blind spot advice), and 96tbird (shoulders check advice)!
On the subject of blinkers...I was driving my son's truck with his lil pop-up camper and his beautiful German Shepard behind me this past Sunday. Highway 365 coming down out of the North, NORTH Georgia mountains...a beautiful, wide open piece of divided highway, and I am tucked away in the right lane going 2 or 3 mph under the speed limit. Everyone else fell asleep, and I needed something to entertain myself, and I thought of this thread. In just about an hour I was passed by 44 cars (hey! it was Sunday over Memorial Day weekend)...9 of them used their directional signal. Do what you will with that bit of data.

 

[ZenG]

The old people where I live never stop using their turn signal indicators.........the left turn one is on all the time no matter where they go......

 

[96tbird]

An wise old man said to me, "Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do."

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

To be clear here is the area I am speaking of. Note the solid line that technically says you cannot change lanes here. View attachment 620906

Is that Brandon?

 

[96tbird]

Is that Brandon?

Yessir.

 

[mpdd]

in my neighborhood they've upped the ante by not stopping at stop signs and going left against the red arrow, hopefully if i ever get into an accident from this i won't beat the other person with my heavy duty titanium tripod

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Have you drove in Socal? Having got my license in Oregon and never been to a California Dmv I am almost positive they do not teach Californians to signal before lane changes. That or they sell California spec'd cars without blinkers.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I use my turn signals whenever necessary, and I haven't notice many people fail to use them, so maybe this isn't as big of an issue in Portland?

People in Oregon defiantly use turn signals the majority of the time which is why it was such a shock to me coming from living there to LA where no one uses them except people from other states.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Yessir.

The only Wheat Kings I know of.