Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

macroy · Oct 19, 2007, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by peeb

One thing I notice about people in the US is that they don't know what the turn signal is for.

I disagree. For the MD/DC/VA area, we know very well what they are for.... and that's exactly why we don't use them.

Revealing to others where you like to go just makes it that much easier for them to cut you off.....

Seriously though. Its not just using them..... its using them correctly. I love those that flip them on right as they turn their wheel.... or even better.. those that go on 1/2 way into the turn...as if they just accidentally tripped it while turning the wheel.

brassplayersrock² · Oct 19, 2007, 02:38 PM

or those that don't use them until after you honk at them after the turn is done.

theDreamer · Oct 19, 2007, 02:47 PM

I think the turn signal problem is that some people do not actually know what is does or when to use it.
It is not just to make a left or right turn.

nonhuman · Oct 19, 2007, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by theDreamer

I think the turn signal problem is that some people do not actually know what is does or when to use it.
It is not just to make a left or right turn.

In fact, most of the time I think basic turns is one of the least important times to use it. At least when you're making a turn you generally slow down and are looking for traffic anyway. It's the people who change lanes without signaling that really annoy me.

Although it would be courteous to signal when your turning so that people stopped at the intersection coming the other way know if it's safe or not to go ahead of you.

theDreamer · Oct 19, 2007, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by nonhuman

In fact, most of the time I think basic turns is one of the least important times to use it. At least when you're making a turn you generally slow down and are looking for traffic anyway. It's the people who change lanes without signaling that really annoy me.

Although it would be courteous to signal when your turning so that people stopped at the intersection coming the other way know if it's safe or not to go ahead of you.

Exactly, I have asked a few people before, not any close friends but people I go to class with or such, and ask if it is improper to not use a turn signal when changing lanes and most say they never do and it is legal....

peeb · Oct 19, 2007, 02:51 PM

I'd settle for people using it for a left or right turn or lane change.

brassplayersrock² · Oct 19, 2007, 03:00 PM

what i think road rage is is this.

you're in control of your car, the people who crave control are mostly the ones that get the rage. you don't like how someone else is driving, (even if they're driving just fine) you get ticked off because now you have lost your control over the driving situation, so you start yelling and doing stupid crap.

^ basic understanding of it. i could go into more detail, but I want to hear what y'all think of my thoughts on it

Alex

edit: this of course is for the people who always have road rage. not just the once in awhile folk

theDreamer · Oct 19, 2007, 03:06 PM

I think that is a good explanation, but you also have to add in others.
Those who feel they are "above" driving in the same manner, be it speed, politeness, rules, etc. are also more likely to express rage. Since in this situation if someone invades or inhibits them from doing their own thing they get upset and feel this person needs to move or follow their rules.

brassplayersrock² · Oct 19, 2007, 03:12 PM

good point.

heh. the saying "my way, or the highway" could be a good motto.

pooka · Oct 19, 2007, 03:37 PM

I drive like a complete prick but I'm pretty humble about things generally. If someone does something stupid to me on the road, I often times let it go. But sometimes, I have to repay them in kind. On occasion, these have escalated into shouting matches and even cross threats. If things get real serious, I'll usually flash my Sig P226 to let them know I mean business. If things get hot from there, well, thats why I keep a shovel in the trunk.

brassplayersrock² · Oct 19, 2007, 03:41 PM

no offence, but flashing a gun is seriously stupid. you never know what the other person can have in their car. but only doing that when things are getting serious is okay i assume, as long as you don't get into a gun fight.

all in all BE CAREFUL

Cold Warrior · Oct 19, 2007, 03:50 PM

no joke. Brandishing/threatening a weapon can be a crime. You could do that to an off-duty cop or some plain-clothes federal guy and get into serious trouble.

Kevin · Oct 19, 2007, 04:07 PM

I've seen pornos start out like that.

peeb · Oct 19, 2007, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior

no joke. Brandishing/threatening a weapon can be a crime. You could do that to an off-duty cop or some plain-clothes federal guy and get into serious trouble.

The other thing that's going to Hell about the US is the complete lack of respect for the second amendment. If brandishing firearms on a freeway wasn't what the founding fathers had in mind, I don't know what is.

Honestly, next we'll start to see erosion of the third amendment rights.

theDreamer · Oct 19, 2007, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by peeb

The other thing that's going to Hell about the US is the complete lack of respect for the second amendment. If brandishing firearms on a freeway wasn't what the founding fathers had in mind, I don't know what is.

Honestly, next we'll start to see erosion of the third amendment rights.

I am hoping that is sarcasm...

Cold Warrior · Oct 19, 2007, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by theDreamer

I am hoping that is sarcasm...

His rivalry with me in the pol-war lounge is just bleeding into this thread.

He's taking the opportunity to subtly (albeit poorly) piss on the United States.

theDreamer · Oct 19, 2007, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior

His rivalry with me in the pol-war lounge is just bleeding into this thread.

He's taking the opportunity to subtly (albeit poorly) piss on the United States.

Is he a US citizen or someone from another country just looking for a fight?

peeb · Oct 19, 2007, 04:23 PM

No, actually, not everything is about you Cold Warrior. I was just making a joke. I actually think your third amendment rights are pretty secure right now, even under this administration.

Kevin · Oct 19, 2007, 04:50 PM

I love political zealotry.

pooka · Oct 19, 2007, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock²

no offence, but flashing a gun is seriously stupid. you never know what the other person can have in their car. but only doing that when things are getting serious is okay i assume, as long as you don't get into a gun fight.

all in all BE CAREFUL

I hear ya, man and I agree. I don't like to do it, but if my crew sees me acting like a bitch when I'm confronted like that... I don't think I'd have much cred left. I'm just saying, I don't like busting the gat out on some mouthy soccer mom, but if shes asking for it...

brassplayersrock² · Oct 19, 2007, 10:27 PM

now it makes sense

iranfromthezoo · Oct 19, 2007, 11:02 PM

generally people will come up and fly behind me but won't pass me. Also when I get behind morons being idiots they seem to look in the rearview mirror and slow down.....i guess it's the LED's I got in my back glass and front windshield. Not a cop but have it for emergency calls with FD. It also helps to have the local Sheriff and Police dept programmed in your radio and can talk car to car with other cops and they can deal with the idiots.

Kevin · Oct 20, 2007, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior

His rivalry with me in the pol-war lounge is just bleeding into this thread.

He's taking the opportunity to subtly (albeit poorly) piss on the United States.

This is what happens when you start down the path of political zealotry. It effects every aspect of your life, and conversation you have.

James L · Oct 20, 2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by pooka

I drive like a complete prick but I'm pretty humble about things generally. If someone does something stupid to me on the road, I often times let it go. But sometimes, I have to repay them in kind. On occasion, these have escalated into shouting matches and even cross threats. If things get real serious, I'll usually flash my Sig P226 to let them know I mean business. If things get hot from there, well, thats why I keep a shovel in the trunk.

I hear ya, man and I agree. I don't like to do it, but if my crew sees me acting like a bitch when I'm confronted like that... I don't think I'd have much cred left. I'm just saying, I don't like busting the gat out on some mouthy soccer mom, but if shes asking for it...

I'm assuming you're joking, as you sound like a 13 year old B-Movie character, but I actually did a call for someone like this a few months ago.

Little dude like you describe above "got cut off" by a lady in her car, which actually was him trying to speed past her and she continued driving in her lane at the speed limit. Dude tail gated, honked, fingered, brandished a bat he had on the passenger seat, etc. Finally she turned into a local coffee shop parking lot. She sat in her car for a minute as the dude parked and jumped out, ran straight over, smashed on her windshield, then went to open her door.

The shame of it was that she had phoned her brother and his 2 friends on her speaker phone about 10 minutes ago, and they beat the sh*t out of this little wanna be gansta.

Then, when we get there, little gansta actually wanted sympathy for being the victim! Can ya believe that? He accosts a woman, and wants sympathy for getting beat up?

Cold Warrior · Oct 20, 2007, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by James L

Then, when we get there, little gansta actually wanted sympathy for being the victim! Can ya believe that? He accosts a woman, and wants sympathy for getting beat up?

Wow. I think he's lucky to be alive. He blatantly attacked someone, who could've reasonably believed her life was in danger. She would've been justified in shooting that turd.

macroy · Oct 20, 2007, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by theDreamer

I think the turn signal problem is that some people do not actually know what is does or when to use it.
It is not just to make a left or right turn.

Yup. In essence, its a communication tool for when you're on the road. However, I will also say, there are those that believe its a free pass to cut in line. In other words, just because you have it on does not mean I need to make way for you. Here is something I often see:

Driver needs to make a lane change (he/she is trying to get off the highway or needs to make a turn). At a point that is probably a bit late - said driver accelerates in front of a car in the lane he/she is looking to merge onto and flips the turn signal. The other driver decides to ignore this (for whatever reason - safety, does not notice, or just does not feel like it). The merger is now pissed off.. and will most likely cut in front of this car... or behind the car and provides the bird.

From discussions afterwards that I've heard. It often includes "...did he/she not see my signal?" I'm usually thinking... did you not see that 3000lbs car that actually has the right of way?

And yes, common courtesy should often prevail. If I have room (in front and behind), I'd be gladly to help - especially in a lane merge situation. However, bottom line... just because you are in a hurry, and decided to fly down the other lane to avoid a line of cars - Don't expect me to get our of the way for you just because you have your signal on.