Indicating on the road.

[claidheamhmor]

Here's one of the things that really irks me on the road. I take a bit of a hard-arsed attitude to it too; if someone indicates to move into my lane, I'll more than likely let them in. If they don't indicate, I "don't see them". And I've given a fright to a few people at intersections when I've treated them as if they're going the way they indicated (or didn't indicate).

Use turn signal? Why?

$75 TICKET | It's an all-too-common attitude, and it can cost you, cops say

August 11, 2008
BY MARY WISNIEWSKI

So you're driving along, eyes on the road, when suddenly the car in front of you starts acting weird.

The driver pauses. He weaves a little. He stops. He keeps going. He stops again. Then, suddenly, he turns -- without a turn signal.

These cars were turning from Wacker Drive onto Orleans Street — none of them using a turn signal. An observation of this intersection found that most of the cars that failed to signal were taxis. State Police report a rise in tickets for failure to signal.

Whether or not improper signal use is going up, it's something good drivers have to learn how to deal with, according to Andrew Danek, owner of the 30-year-old Illinois Institute of Driver Education in Chicago.

"If someone's doing something stupid in front of you, they're either turning or they're looking for a place to park," said Danek, who said he figures only about half of local drivers use their signals when they change lanes or turn.

State Police Master Sgt. Brian Ley said officers have been issuing more warnings in the last three years for "improper signal use," which usually means failure to signal. This could mean signaling is on the decline in Illinois, since Ley said police haven't been given any special directive to crack down on violators.

For all of 2006, State Police handed out 16,782 warnings and 2,069 $75 tickets -- a total of 18,851. In 2007, it was 18,089 warnings and 2,075 tickets, for a total of 20,164. The upward trend has continued this year. Between Jan. 1 and June 30, State Police issued 9,553 warnings and 981 tickets -- more than half last year's total.

Failure to use a signal can be a "very serious and deadly mistake," said Ley. "Officers know this can lead to a serious accident."

So why don't people signal? To paraphrase Tom Vanderbilt, author of the book Traffic, why are drivers willing to tell you their kid is an honor student at Knucklehead Academy, but they don't want to tell you they're changing lanes?

Danek says some people are afraid that if they signal to change lanes, the car in the next lane will speed up to block their car.

He said it's also a matter of habit -- like buckling your seat belt. Some people aren't taught properly and don't get into the habit of doing it.

He noted that turn signals didn't even become standard in cars until the 1960s -- people who wanted to signal used to have to stick their left arm out the window.

A 2006 survey by Response Insurance, a national car insurer, found that 57 percent of American drivers don't signal when changing lanes. Men are less likely to signal than women, and drivers under 25 are less likely to signal than older drivers. Their reasons were a bit scary:

• 42 percent said they didn't have time,

• 23 percent said they were lazy,

• 17 percent said they don't because they forget to turn it off,

• 12 percent said they changed lanes too frequently to bother,

• 11 percent said it was not important,

• 8 percent said they don't because other drivers don't. And, most disturbing of all,

• 7 percent skipped the signal to "add excitement" to their trip.

Danek says he teaches his students to signal because it's safer to warn people what you're doing, and anything that makes driving safer is worthwhile.

But Danek also teaches them to be prepared if someone doesn't signal.

"Paying attention is the most important thing about driving," Danek said. "If the car in front of you doesn't have brake lights, does that give you the right to run into them? No!"

Danek said if a driver is paying attention and keeping at least one car's length between her car and the next car, failure of another driver to signal shouldn't be a problem.

"If you drive correctly, what the other person does makes no difference," Danek said. "You are responsible for keeping your car in one piece."

Source: Chicago SunTimes

Comments

[redqueenmeg.livejournal.com]

Ooo, this is one of my things too. Even if I have a drink in my hand I still use my signal.

And I usually only let people in if they signal also. It really confuses them!

[redqueenmeg.livejournal.com]

OH YEAH. And "THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME"? WTF IS THAT?

[claidheamhmor]

Methinks they needed to make a quick swerve to grab that gap!

[redqueenmeg.livejournal.com]

Don't care, don't care, don't care. NO EXCUSE. I don't even care if you have only one arm, there is NO EXCUSE for this stupidity.

[vivian-shaw.livejournal.com]

"didn't have time" to signal?

For fuck's sake, stupidity should hurt.

[pcb.livejournal.com]

Seconded!
A journey takes the time it takes; you don't have to stop the car to signal.
Heh - reminds me of the day of my Brother's wedding day when we all piled into my Sister's car to go to the church. Our Dad said he didn't have time to put on his seat belt... the emergency stop at the top of the hill was completely coincidental, and, strange to tell, on went the seat belt in short order :D

[openmindedmale.livejournal.com]

I've always used my signal.

I assume that other drivers are going to do idiotic things (like abruptly changing lanes) and so am prepared to react.

Even so, it's not always enough, but one does what one can... and, no accidents so far :)

He noted that turn signals didn't even become standard in cars until the 1960s -- people who wanted to signal used to have to stick their left arm out the window.

*surprised* This I didn't know... stands to reason though.. I mean, cars have evolved, and the Model T way back when didn't even have an automatic starter!

[claidheamhmor]

Learning hand signals is part of our driver's learner's licence; can't say I have ever actually seen anyone use hand signals though.

[pcb.livejournal.com]

Since when did keeping only a car's length between vehicles count as driving correctly? :D
Whatever happened to The Two Second Rule?

One of the fun exercises we used to have would be to spot people on the highway who were about to change lanes. It's not so difficult if you're awake, but if you're dozing, as a lot of people seem to do, it comes as a shock: especially if they're only a car-length away. ;-)

[politas.livejournal.com]

Just what I was going to say. A fixed distance gap is stupid. Base the gap on time; that's the reliable resource you have to utilise in order to stop.

[ubet-cha.livejournal.com]

This is one of my pet peeves. Its one thing if you are on a country road with no other cars visible, yet very frustrating in the middle of city/suburban traffic. I’ve seen a few accidents of the years because of a lack of turn signal.

WTF do they think everyone is psychically aware of what they plan to do with their vehicle?

[claidheamhmor]

You can sometimes spot the twits looking left and right before they decide to move. Then they move...but don't indicate.

[linda-does-nz.livejournal.com]

I always signal, even if I'm going down roads with no traffic - force of habit. Really pisses me off when others don't signal.

[jonty.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. It drives me batshit when people don't indicate and force their way into your lane. I also "don't see them".

[jadedflame.livejournal.com]

Argh! I agree with you, I can't stand people that don't indicate. Not indicating should make you have your fingers removed or something!

South Africa is a little different I think, we have a very special brand of people in this country... as a result, I've adopted this simple rule while I'm driving, and so far it's worked like a charm.

If a person is not indicating, I'm assuming they are turning. If a person is indicating, I'm assuming the aren't turning.
Haven't had a problem since :)