Adding Excitement to Driving

[tessler]

An interesting piece about a telephone survey taken by a Connecticut insurance company, appearing in the March 16 Newsday (http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzcar164663929mar16,0,7197277.story) (Long Island, NY), details top excuses given by 1,000 drivers for not using turn signals.

http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzcar164663929mar16,0,7197277.story

While "laziness" and "no time" took top honors, 7% of those polled revealed that not using their signals "adds excitement to driving."

[Visian]

No turn signals... my pet peeve. :mad

"Adds excitement to driving" indeed. :brow

Basically, all the reasons are the same: no respect for others.

Ian

[BubbaZanetti]

speed all you want in my mind, but if you forget turn signals or cross the soild white line merging on the highway you should be jailed, also:

17% Will forget to turn it off


and..........does your car self destruct or something???

[jmerlino]

While "laziness" and "no time" took top honors,
"no time"? How much time does it take to snag a lever with your finger?

In Atlanta, and to a lesser extent here in Boston, I always thought that the strongest argument against using your turn signal was because it gives away your strategy. Because instead of being courteous and allowing you to execute your intended plan, other drivers will see what you intend to do, and race to get into the space you had planned to move into, thus preventing you from doing it.

[Mika]

"no time"? How much time does it take to snag a lever with your finger?



Really it is not a matter of time but of energy. They used it all up getting their sorry... off the couch and into the cage.

[kbasa]

Further evidence of the death of good manners.

[tessler]

"no time"? How much time does it take to snag a lever with your finger?Joe, you nailed it. Completely.
In Atlanta, and to a lesser extent here in Boston, I always thought that the strongest argument against using your turn signal was because it gives away your strategy. Because instead of being courteous and allowing you to execute your intended plan, other drivers will see what you intend to do, and race to get into the space you had planned to move into, thus preventing you from doing it.Interesting strategy, huh? I'd heard that exact same theory from a good buddy we visited down in South Florida last Thanksgiving about road rules on the three-county stretch of I-95...

[jmerlino]

Further evidence of the death of good manners.
Indeed. And I try not to let that affect me. I'm pretty concientious about using my turn signals. This is especially true since I started riding.

[Xaque]

Indeed. And I try not to let that affect me. I'm pretty concientious about using my turn signals. This is especially true since I started riding.

I use my signals ALL the time... even changing lanes on the highway at 3am when no one is around.

And speaking of the highway, along with not using signals, my #2 pet peeve is when people travel in the passing lane.

-Xaque-

[tessler]

This has spawned a particularly heated blog/comment war on Autoblog.com!

Let's hear what a few cage drivers have to say...
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/survey-lane-changing-drivers-skipping-signals/

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Turn signals are a pet peeve of mine too. :banghead Wtf is up with those morons?? Too busy driving your mobile phonebooth around?? :sick

[pmdave]

I expect car drivers to be rude, self-centered, and arrogant. When I see some hint that a car is about to do something, I also predict whether and when the driver/occupant will signal. Typically, when the signal is used at all, it appears coincident with the vehicle changing direction.

I expect motorcyclists to be skilled, aware of the situation, and respectful of other motorists. Therefore I am doubly distressed by motorcyclists who signal too late, fail to signal, or make sudden squidly moves.

Seems to me that given the vulnerability of motorcycles, the increased aggressiveness of drivers, the traffic congestion, and the notable rise in the USA motorcycle fatality rate, it would be in the best interests of a motorcyclist to ride with respect.

I am also aware that in other environments (see the India trip report in the current Motor Cyclist) traffic is a free-for all with no rules other than dodge 'em, while in Germany lane discipline is seriously enforced. So, do we need to adjust our level of respect/squidliness based on the traffic environment?

pmdave

[username]

turn signals are a sign of weakness.

:D

[jerryb]

turn signals are a sign of weakness.

:D

This is much better than "Adds excitement to driving" and likely much closer to the truth.

jerryb

[hlothery]

I keep hitting the windshield wiper switch in my Mini with my right hand when changing lanes to the right. Now if I could just find that turn signal shut off......

[nhlkats]

Basically, all the reasons are the same: no respect for others.I agree. This is a microcosm of their true personality.

<-- drivers education instructor [seen it *ALL*]

[PacWestGS]

"no time"? How much time does it take to snag a lever with your finger?


You're forgetting, you have set the phone down first, who has time for THAT! :fight




I signal always; bike, car, truck. I hate people who pull up to a corner and either do or don't signal the same time they execute a right turn and hit the brakes, like dude what's the point now you've already Screwed everybody behind you up! :deal


(Whew, finally got back on a real computer, my PDA is great but not that great)

P.S. I almost never initiate a cell call while driving, and the ones I take (wife/work) last less than 20-seconds, yep, nope, I'll call you back, "I'm driving" bye. :banghead

[bubbagazoo]

A driving school instructor up here in Edmonton tells his students that a turn signal is there to indicate one's intention, not celebrate one's accomplishments. It is amazing the number of people who use their signals AFTER they have begun the act of turning. :type

[bmdubyou]

"It is amazing the number of people who use their signals AFTER they have begun the act of turning."

Good one!
My father without fail, uses his almost anytime he turns the steering wheel...even in the driveway when he's parking the car in the garage (and they live in the country)!

Sometimes it's tempting to drive like others to show them how idiotic they drive....but I dont think most people have a clue...they are too busy doing OTHER things while driving...but the ones who DO have a clue dont like it when others drive like they do.