I’m not talking about not using signal, but instead referring to drivers who turn off the signal so quickly.
Example when changing lane: Flick Signal on - Lane change - Signal off, literally 2 seconds and the car is not even moving fast to change lane.
Another example for when making a turn: 0.5 second to do Signal On - Turn - Signal off…
I swear on both of my nuts that these drivers arent even looking at the mirrors (any mirrors) or looking over their shoulders.
If you happen to do this, no offense but why? Is it to show the cops you did signal? Or there exists a signalphobia , i.e. the tick tock sound can annoy passengers?/
On my car, when I push the stalk half way the lights blink 3 times then turn off automatically
Personally that tech shouldn’t exist. People rely on it and don’t give others around them enough time to realize a lane change is about to happen.
Turn it on. Let it blink a few times to make sure others know you are moving. Change lanes. After you are in the lane then turn it off.
My driving instructor told me that you should blink to indicate that you’re now going to move when changing lanes (exceptions excluded). So check if you’re safe to go, and if you’re sure, use the short blink and go.
Yeah your instructor taught you wrong. Think about about it. Unless you turn your blinker on to let people know your want over how is anyone going to give you enough space to merge in? If I give a three second follow distance and you merge into that space you are quite close when you pull in front of me. That’s a way to create road rage or an accident. Because I’m probably not going to see your blinker if you hit the blinker and move. You need to hit the blinker to let others know you want to move then check for space.
That only makes sense if you’re driving on a busy road. If seems like half of the commenters here only drive during rush hour, and the other half only drive on empty rural roads.
If there isn’t much traffic it makes a lot of sense to wait until you have an opening and then turn on your signal, instead of turning it on before checking for a gap.
Of course signals are for inter-driver communication. It’s a signal “to” someone, right?
We don’t need to discuss how to use your signal when no one’s around.
Yes, obviously they’re for communicating with other drivers, what gave you the impression I meant otherwise? I was responding to this in your last post:
There are a lot of times where it makes sense to wait for a gap in traffic, rather than asking people to let you merge. And in those situations you would check for space before turning on your signal. You should still use your signal, even if you know you already have space to merge.
Thank you
Physically moving into the other lane also tells them that you are moving. The sole purpose of having a blinker is to use it in advance.
I don’t cut anyone off in busy ass traffic man. There’s no reason for me to flip it on all the way. I’ve also seen hundreds of cars turn their blinker on then it stays on for miles. Double edged sword. Look behind you, flip the stalk and move over. No point in thinking about it too hard
It exists because too many idiots turn it on, forget about it and then drive along for another 5 miles signalling a turn they’re never going to make and confusing everyone around them. Personally, I’d much rather someone signal for “too short” an amount of time than have this happen.
To be honest this just creates problem. Put a loud chime on it so it starts singing after a while. What we have now is a tech that allows people to signal to short of a time potentially creating accidents
Same, and I think this feature is called “change lane”, I can even set it on my car to disable/3 blinks/5 blinks, I set it to 5.
Oh that’s cool. I can only change the volume of emulated sound haha. Pointless
Same. This runs for 3 seconds and blinks 3 times. If the car behind you is not paying attention to you for longer than that, that’s their problem. Your first priority when driving is looking where you are going before anything else.
I disagree, someone not seeing your signal and action is still your problem. The percentage of legal blame will possibly be more on them if you can prove you did signal, but it is every driver’s duty to ensure their movement does not cause a problem for others, right-of-way or not. It it’s deemed preventable, it’s a driver’s fault to some degree. That’s why it’s called defensive driving.
You can disagree with it, but the DOT states that you need to maintain a minimum distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, in respect to reaction time.
As a motorist, you fulfill this duty by indicating your intent with your turn signal. As long as there is clearance and safe distance, any remaining responsibility is on the individual who is supposed to be paying attention to what is in front of them based on DOT standards.
It’s pretty clear cut.
This is of course no excuse for poor driving, cutting off, or unsafe lane changes. But if you are following the rules of the road, using your signal, and maintaining safe distance, there isn’t much you can do about the distracted person behind you. And that’s not your problem.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/cmv-driving-tips-following-too-closely
Your point is valid legally. And in many cases you’re right, your options are limited if someone isn’t driving correctly near you. However I still disagree on the idea that there’s not much you can do to avoid situations if you stay aware of potential problems. That’s where defensive driving comes in - if I see someone is following too close in traffic or isn’t slowing even though I’m signalling a turn, I’m not going to take a position of “well, I’ve done all my legal required actions, it’s out of my hands.” I’m going to use the outs that I’ve already got in my head to avoid them hitting me, whether that be changing my speed to space out the reaction time for them, abandoning the turn or move, or going off the road.
Well of course. You should know what’s behind you, so you are not cutting anyone off. That doesn’t mean you are accountable for whatever is going on behind you. Generally, don’t be a dick, and make sure there’s room. That’s common sense.
As if everybody doesn’t already know that.
You can maintain distance for instance because you are standing still, or rolling slowly towards a cross with traffic. And see the distance to the car in front you despite it isn’t the only focus of attention. Also in bright conditions the blinker is not as visible as in darker conditions.
You should NEVER stop blinking before the turning maneuver is finished. 3 times blinking does that, and in fact should be illegal IMO. It makes drivers lazy about their blinkers. My own car has it, and I hate it. It’s a moronic feature.
If you stop blinking even before you started to turn, it’s very confusing. Did you change your mind, or do you just suck at signalling?
We’re talking about two different things here. Lane change indication usually runs for 3 blinks. That’s standard on most all vehicles. Turn signal stays on until the wheel resets it when returning to origin.
As a driver, your primary responsibility is focus on the things in front of you. If you can’t do that, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel. Likewise, if you can’t see signals other cars are making, you probably shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
For lane change it’s ok.
what about cases where there is a left turn and an immediate right turn? is the correct way to signal not left blinker until you have almost completed it then right blinker?
And I think on some cars I’ve had in the past, it was only 2 times even.