[Y3a]

Doesn't ANYBODY use turn signals any more? The AAA says it's the MOST abused violation, and the one most hated by drivers. More accidents are caused by the lack of communication that they provide and you HAVE to be STUPID not to use them!!
I think they should do away with "failure to use turnsignals" violations, and use the "Weaving in Traffic" moving violation that allows the cops in some jurisdictions to search the car, and give breath and drug tests. I also think that when I see cops and "Official Vehicles" not using them I wanna complain to the Board of Supervisors etc when those Unions ask for raises. There just isn't ANY EXCUSE for not using them.

[ManOfSteal]

Not in Chicago. It's also very rare to use your brakes. Speed by at least 30 MPH. And talking on the phone while shaving and looking down is highly recommended.

[Zimphire]

You and ca$h need to get together.

[olePigeon]

Originally posted by Y3a:
There just isn't ANY EXCUSE for not using them.

Some people think they're better than everyone else and don't need to signal.

Correction, most people think they're better than everyone else and don't need to signal.

I hate it.

[itistoday]

Nor anyone in Florida ('cept me that is )

[lavar78]

I love turn signals; I use them all the time. After all, they're the #1 way you communicate with other drivers.

[itistoday]

Originally posted by lavar78:
I love turn signals; I use them all the time. After all, they're the #1 way you communicate with other drivers.

I thought it was giving them the finger?

[IFLY2HIGH]

I use them all the time, they have them for a reason and that is to let people know where your going. Less chance of an accident since you know they are going to change lanes or turn off the road.

Then you have the people that use them and think that since they are using them, telling you they want to change lanes, they will come over at will regardless if there is room and run you off the road or make you slam on the brakes to avoid hitting them.

Then you got the ones that that drive 10 mph slow in the slow lane, then when you get in the fast lane to pass them they speed up.

People don't care anymore, and it's ashamed. The world is running itself into the ground and no one cares about anything anymore. Everyone complains about gas prices, but hey, look who you voted for president, don't complain... (Applies for those who voted for Bush, lol!)

: End Rant :

[E's Lil Theorem]

I use them most of the time, but whenever I don't, it's pretty obvious that I don't need them. For example, if I'm alone on the road, who would I be signaling for? Or, if I on the left lane, is it not obvious that I'm going to make a left turn? Any time I'm in traffic, however, I use them pretty consistently.

One thing I do dislike very much actually incorporates signaling. What I mean is when drivers pull the old switcheroo on you by signaling a turn one way but actually turn the other way. That's pretty annoying.

Originally posted by IFLY2HIGH:
...

People don't care anymore, and it's ashamed. The world is running itself into the ground and no one cares about anything anymore. Everyone complains about gas prices, but hey, look who you voted for president, don't complain... (Applies for those who voted for Bush, lol!)

: End Rant :

Dude, you're going off-road with this last bit

[OptimusG4]

Here in Columbus, it seems almost normal to just merge into the next lane as if no one else was on the road. I really hate it when you're turning onto a 3 lane road and the car in front decides to go in the middle slowly then as you're going on the right or left, they seem to merge in that direction with no signal. Almost cause an accident with me last night.

[Sage]

I always flash my lights or lean on the horn if someone cuts in front of me without signaling. If they signal first and wait a sec, I'll be more than happy to back off enough to let them slide in front of me. But just swerving in in front of me without signaling is stupid.

I don't signal if I'm out all by myself though, and if I'm waiting at a left-turn light for a long time, I'll shut it off so that I don't annoy/hypnotize the driver behind me.

[itistoday]

Originally posted by Sage:
...I'll shut it off so that I don't annoy/hypnotize the driver behind me.

I kinda like that though... Just staring at it... watching time fly by, seeing if I can get my turn signal to match with theirs...

[MacMan4000]

I almost got in a wreck a few days ago because some idiot had his turn signal on when he wasn't turning...

heres the situation:
Im stopped at a stop sign on side-street B waiting for a break in traffic so i can turn right onto big-road A. moron in closest lane of big-road A has tun signal on making it look like he will turn into side-street B, thus making a clearing for me to go... but he didn't turn... when I pulled out in front of him (expecting him to turn) he doesn't turn, but starts honking furiously and yelling at me... so I floor it and peel out (in 4 wheel drive in my Jeep I might add ) to avoid being hit.

[SSharon]

I always signal, its just so damn easy. I am much nicer to other drivers that signal as well. If you signal in advance I will let you merge or turn in front of me, if not I am a mean bastard.

As an emergency vehicle driver I agree with the OP about complaining when police or others don't signal. I flagged down a police car recently because he was driving in the rain with no headlights and almost hit me. I stopped in the road and mouthed 'turn your lights on' and he stopped his car and backed up thinking I said something wrong, but I only repeated it and the officer said thanks and turned them on. I have no problem flashing my brights at them or otherwise telling them when they are doing something wrong that puts my life and the lives of others at risk.

[PurpleGiant]

Originally posted by E's Lil Theorem:
I use them most of the time, but whenever I don't, it's pretty obvious that I don't need them. For example, if I'm alone on the road, who would I be signaling for?

That driver that you didn't see

[flabasha]

Here in LA, using your turning signal is a great way to GET into an accident. Why? Because the moment you put your signal on, the driver you're trying to merge in front of WILL spaz and WILL pound the gas to cut you off. If you don't signal (provided you are merging safely with enough room), you remove that driver's chance to make it an UNSAFE merging situation. By the time they realize what you're doing, it's too late to cut you off.

Now, in a less combative driving environment, like Northern California (where I was raised), using your signals IS a good idea. So it depends where you are...

At least in L.A., putting on your turning signal is telling the enemy what your gameplan is. Bad idea.

[Arty50]

Originally posted by flabasha:
Here in LA, using your turning signal is a great way to GET into an accident. Why? Because the moment you put your signal on, the driver you're trying to merge in front of WILL spaz and WILL pound the gas to cut you off. If you don't signal (provided you are merging safely with enough room), you remove that driver's chance to make it an UNSAFE merging situation. By the time they realize what you're doing, it's too late to cut you off.

Now, in a less combative driving environment, like Northern California (where I was raised), using your signals IS a good idea. So it depends where you are...

At least in L.A., putting on your turning signal is telling the enemy what your gameplan is. Bad idea.

That's horribly wrong. I grew up in LA and spend a lot of time there; and that's simply not the case. Sure there are some assholes who do that, but the majority of people will let you in. If they don't, then push your way in. Or you can even delay the use of your turn signal. But not using your turn signal at all is inexcusable. It not only messes up the people in the lane next to you, but it also hurts the people behind you. I'm sorry, but there is no excuse for not using your turn signal. No excuse at all.

As for NorCal, the drivers are terrible up there. They're horribly indecisive, so much so that they're a danger to others on the road. Also they have no concept of moving with the flow of traffic. People are driving at whatever speed they please in whichever lane they want.

[TubaMuffins]

I use mine all the time, even if its late at night and no one else is on the road, its just instinctual for me. But today when I was driving to work I came to a 4-way stop and it was my turn, i had my blinker on to turn left and this b**** coming parallel to me rolls the stop sign and cuts me off, i gave her the finger and she returned it. Even though i always use turn signals, i guess not everyone understands what they mean.

[E's Lil Theorem]

Originally posted by PurpleGiant:

Originally posted by E's Lil Theorem:
I use them most of the time, but whenever I don't, it's pretty obvious that I don't need them. For example, if I'm alone on the road, who would I be signaling for?

That driver that you didn't see

Good point

[flabasha]

No, it's not horribly wrong. If you say "most people let you in" in LA, you must be thinking of Louisiana, not Los Angeles. To be fair, I would say that 80 to 85 percent of the time, the person you are signaling to merge in front of will hit the gas to cut you off. So there IS that 15-20 percent...

"It also hurts the people behind you."
Huh? If I leave a lane without signaling, how could that conceivably hurt the driver directly behind me? Because now he has room he didn't before, therefore... totally throwing him off... with... extra freedom? Or something.

"If they don't, then push your way in"
Wow, that's a great idea. Very safe. What were your words... "horribly wrong"?

"As for NorCal, the drivers are terrible up there"
Thud. Oh yeah, when people thing bad drivers, they think Northern California way before they... think... Los Angeles. Gulp.

[alphasubzero949]

Originally posted by flabasha:
Here in LA, using your turning signal is a great way to GET into an accident. Why? Because the moment you put your signal on, the driver you're trying to merge in front of WILL spaz and WILL pound the gas to cut you off. If you don't signal (provided you are merging safely with enough room), you remove that driver's chance to make it an UNSAFE merging situation. By the time they realize what you're doing, it's too late to cut you off.

Now, in a less combative driving environment, like Northern California (where I was raised), using your signals IS a good idea. So it depends where you are...

At least in L.A., putting on your turning signal is telling the enemy what your gameplan is. Bad idea.

What a load of crap. I signal and usually get the room from others to merge in. The only ones who are a$$holes about it are the out-of-state and Nor Cal drivers who try to "fit in" with the So Cal way of driving. In Nor Cal, you have to be a mind reader to figure out what people are going to do. I've had people pull out into traffic from a parked position without signaling, forcing me to use up a lot of brake padding. Others have jumped across lanes because they couldn't read the 3 guide signs prior to the exit they nearly missed.

The Central Valley (in Nor Cal) is even worse. There you have the most butthurt-militant-safety-types who try to pull lame stunts in retaliation of honking. Honking at someone for not signaling is a very bad idea, because I've had people do some stupid things in retaliation, such as slamming on the brakes, deliberately slowing down, etc. If you honk at someone for "sleeping" on a green at a red light camera intersection? They deliberately sit there until the light turns yellow, hoping that you'll get snapped. Sickening.


I know another phenomenon even more aggravating than the lack of turn signals (and practiced a lot by Nor Cal drivers): left lane hogging. You know, "Slower traffic, keep right." It doesn't mean passing someone doing 63 by driving at 64 and taking 10 minutes to pass. It doesn't mean holding up a line of cars by driving the exact speed limit side-by-side with slower traffic.

The bigger problem? It's too damn easy to get a driver license. Answer a few questions about obscure traffic laws. Show that you can turn the key, release the e-brake, shift out of park, and hit the gas. Maybe parallel park if you get a tougher instructor. That's all. Drivers are not tested on your ability to avoid hazards, regain control after being put into a skid, etc. - you know, stuff they teach at advanced driving schools. Even worse? The DMV caters to the non-English speakers by giving them tests in their native languages. WTF? If they're going to drive around here they need to learn BASIC ENGLISH.

You know what? I'll just stop. Our drivers here are hopeless.

[flabasha]

"the only ones who are a$$holes about it are out-of-state and NorCal drivers who try to "fit in" with the SoCal way of driving"

Sorry, no dice. I've lived in SoCal longer than NorCal (fifteen years). When I started in the entertainment business, I was a PA, which meant driving LA streets for ten-plus hours a day. Literally, it was my job to drive in LA. And I learned very quickly, LA drivers will not let you in if you signal. Without a doubt, LA has the biggest "a$$hole" drivers I've ever experienced.

But that's no surprise to the rest of the world (outside of SoCal natives with bruised egos).

[Mafia]

i use signals when necessary. changing lanes when absolutely no one is in sight... no.

[lavar78]

Originally posted by Mafia:
i use signals when necessary. changing lanes when absolutely no one is in sight... no.

Even if it actually isn't necessary, it's not like it's a big chore. I like to think of it as a good habit. I also use my parking break every time I park.

[Link]

Maybe they should make it mandatory for cars to have turn signals go on whenever you turn the wheel

[Oisín]

Originally posted by Link:
Maybe they should make it mandatory for cars to have turn signals go on whenever you turn the wheel

Err... or maybe not...

[BasketofPuppies]

Originally posted by ManOfSteal:
Not in Chicago. It's also very rare to use your brakes. Speed by at least 30 MPH. And talking on the phone while shaving and looking down is highly recommended.

I take it gorickey doesn't live in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago.

Here it's safe to talk on the phone while shaving and looking down because there's so much damned traffic you can't drive faster than 0.2 miles per hour.

[effgee]

Originally posted by Y3a:
Doesn't ANYBODY use turn signals any more? ...

A "turn-what" ... ? Never heard of it.

And there better not be anyone crawling out from under his rock now, making up bogus crap in regards to there being some form of correlation between the amount of effort (= training) it takes to get a drivers license and the way people drive in general.

Because that would be a steaming pile of lies - nothing else.

[Y3a]

California laws are stupid in a LOT of ways. Motorcycles weaving thru back-ups is one. The enforcement, and punishment available is nil. jacking up the fines and really going after the stink-o drivers (lawyers included) can raise a bunch of bucks in that state.

[Athens]

Originally posted by Y3a:
Doesn't ANYBODY use turn signals any more? The AAA says it's the MOST abused violation, and the one most hated by drivers. More accidents are caused by the lack of communication that they provide and you HAVE to be STUPID not to use them!!
I think they should do away with "failure to use turnsignals" violations, and use the "Weaving in Traffic" moving violation that allows the cops in some jurisdictions to search the car, and give breath and drug tests. I also think that when I see cops and "Official Vehicles" not using them I wanna complain to the Board of Supervisors etc when those Unions ask for raises. There just isn't ANY EXCUSE for not using them.

The worst drivers in Canada are here in Vancouver. And most of them are chinese, and its funny because most of the chinese I know bitch about the chinese drivers

[chris v]

Originally posted by MacMan4000:
I almost got in a wreck a few days ago because some idiot had his turn signal on when he wasn't turning...

heres the situation:
Im stopped at a stop sign on side-street B waiting for a break in traffic so i can turn right onto big-road A. moron in closest lane of big-road A has tun signal on making it look like he will turn into side-street B, thus making a clearing for me to go... but he didn't turn... when I pulled out in front of him (expecting him to turn) he doesn't turn, but starts honking furiously and yelling at me... so I floor it and peel out (in 4 wheel drive in my Jeep I might add ) to avoid being hit.

I trust no one in that situation. So many people drive with a blinker on because the car came that way from the show-room. I wait until I see some wheels turning before I pull out. Period.

The other one that drives me nuts is a slow-moving driver in the right lane with his left turn blinker on. I want to pass him in the left lane, but is he moving over? Wait... wait... WAIT...

[Athens]

Originally posted by chris v:
I trust no one in that situation. So many people drive with a blinker on because the car came that way from the show-room. I wait until I see some wheels turning before I pull out. Period.

The other one that drives me nuts is a slow-moving driver in the right lane with his left turn blinker on. I want to pass him in the left lane, but is he moving over? Wait... wait... WAIT...

WHat I cant stand are HOT and i mean HOT woman drivers. They always cause crashes when every one else myself included end up watching them over the road I saw ban them and force them to get driven around by men hehe

[budster101]

Turn signal, turn...signal..., Turn Signal. Sounds familiar...

[macroy]

Yea - but worse than those that don't use it are the ones that think they can do no wrong becaue they do use it. Just because you have your turn signal on doesn't mean that I HAVE to yield to you if you're coming into my lane. Nor does it give you the right to flip me off because I didn't deem it safe for me to slam on my breaks to let you in.

I think turn signals are just part of the overall ego issues some folks have these days.

[joltguy]

I think some of the people here in Toronto only use them because they think it actually helps their car in the turning process. Meaning they start turning the wheel, and *then* turn on their signal. Not so very helpful to the person driving behind them.

[wdlove]

I'm innocent, don't drive.

[Link]

It's not the driving tests here, generally (even driving instructors agree) - that the people who haven't taken a test in a long time are by far the worst drivers.. Yeah that's you.. the guy who thinks you're such a great driver you don't HAVE to use turn signals, have the right to go across all 4 lanes in one sweep because you were too lazy to responsibly change before, and believe that 25 above the speed limit in a school zone is "cruising with traffic"

Basically, said people "know what they're doing" in the sense that they know when they won't be caught and when they will -- I found that one of the worst drivers I've ever known never got a ticket not because they drove good, but because they were such a good "cop watcher" it was like a 6th sense when a cop was nearby.

[Athens]

the worstw drivers are ppl that come from other countries with out road rules or are used to really aggressive driving. Also here anyways I dont know what its like in other States and Provinces, the tests are provided in many lang's and translators are allowed for those that dont speak english, and its been provin a few times they sometimes help them pass the test they wouldn't otherwise creating a driver that shouldnt be on the road.

[Demonhood]

-the driving test should be harder.
-police should ticket/give warnings for turn signal violations more often.
-socal drivers are, in my experience, generally very aggressive.
-norcal drivers are, in my experience, generally indecisive (not good for driving around a city like San Francisco).
-turn signals rock.
-car-mounted vulcan cannons=totally cool.

[wowway1]

In Tennessee those turn signal things are optional equipment. At least that's my theory every time I visit down there.

[budster101]

Originally posted by Demonhood:
-the driving test should be harder.
-police should ticket/give warnings for turn signal violations more often.
-socal drivers are, in my experience, generally very aggressive.
-norcal drivers are, in my experience, generally indecisive (not good for driving around a city like San Francisco).
-turn signals rock.
-car-mounted vulcan cannons=totally cool.

You are correct.

- I just had to take the written exam as well as the eye exam and believe it or not I was nervous though... (Bad test taker) I did well, but still.
The guy in front of me failed! He got 9 wrong.
You can get up to 5 answers wrong, I think.

- Turn signal violations are horrid things, and should be ticketed.

- Drivers in certain neighborhoods near me are lunatics on a suicidal binge...

- Second on the car-mounted cannons.. I wish I had something that would tag bad drivers, so that if many people tag one car, then the cops have to pull them over.

[hart]

for me, turn signals, seat belt and parking brake are all unconcious parts of the sequence of turning, getting in the car and parking it. I think about them when I DON"T do them or when I start signalling on some back country road in the middle of the night when I'm all alone.

My mother and I were just discussing that 4-way stop thing. Neither of us can remember which direction gets the right of way and I doubt many people do. Caution, signalling, generally friendly hand gestures and overall excessive communication seem to be necessary in that situation. I have a four-way stop I go through in my neighborhood all the time that is heavily populated by garbage and delivery trucks with whom you do not want to get into a lane-hogging contest.

[Link]

You're supposed to leave a 4-way in the order that you came.. If you come at the same time as the other vehicle, the one on your right goes first... otherwise the rule applies.

[jersey]

Two words.

New Jersey.

I signal, and when I dont, I usually get and earful from e GF.

And yes, a signal means speed up to everyone around you.

The other awesome thing here is being "jersied". Its when the light turns green the opposing car tries to make a left before you get into the intersection.

[bstone]

Originally posted by ManOfSteal:
Not in Chicago. It's also very rare to use your brakes. Speed by at least 30 MPH. And talking on the phone while shaving and looking down is highly recommended.

ManOfSteal, you hit it on the head. I am an EMT and worked on the North Side (Rodgers/Lincoln Park/Lakeview) area for a few years. One of the main problems is Chicago traffic lights do not have ambulance transponders in them, so we are reliant upon our lights/siren to alert people. Needless to say I have had many of a close calls. I usually drive on the streets SLOWER than the speed limits as people freak out when an ambulance is around. It's also hard to gague which direct the siren is coming in. More than a few of our ambulances have been smashed up.

I just wish people drove a little safer. Seems to me that some people literally morph into another creature altogether when they drive.

[Oneota]

Originally posted by Link:
You're supposed to leave a 4-way in the order that you came.. If you come at the same time as the other vehicle, the one on your right goes first... otherwise the rule applies.

Exactly. Easy mnemonic: "Right" of way. Means yield to the right when in doubt.

[deej5871]

Originally posted by Link:
... believe that 25 above the speed limit in a school zone is "cruising with traffic" ...

Where I go to school that is "cruising with traffic" (not 25 above, but like, maybe 15-20 above). The road my school is on is out in the country, and literally in the middle of a corn field. Even the buses go a good deal above the speed limit.

[Link]

Originally posted by deej5871:
Where I go to school that is "cruising with traffic" (not 25 above, but like, maybe 15-20 above). The road my school is on is out in the country, and literally in the middle of a corn field. Even the buses go a good deal above the speed limit.

I bet there's a story every few months about some deadly accident out there, huh.

[deej5871]

Originally posted by Link:
I bet there's a story every few months about some deadly accident out there, huh.

The only time there are any accidents around here (involving students at least) is when out dumbass superintendent doesn't cancel or delay school when there is good cause. I remember one day earlier this winter where we couldn't see the road at all because of all the snow on it. But guess what? We had to go to school at the regular time. But that's not the worst part. One week last fall we had loads of fog in our area (less than 1/4 mile visibility) and he didn't even give us a delay. The day after that we had slightly less fog (I think it was about 1/2 mile visibility) and he ended up closing school that day! He's just so inconsistent you can never count on getting to sleep in.

Besides, I go to a high school. It's not like there's many kids walking across the road to hit (since no one is close enough to walk, everybody drives), nor is going 40 mph very fast. It's not really dangerous to go over the school zone limit.

[malvolio]

Originally posted by itistoday:
Nor anyone in Florida ('cept me that is )

C'mon, Florida is full of "senior citizens" who signal for two miles before they turn.