Here in Texas, turn signals are no longer available for new trucks. Right of way is determined entirely by vehicle size; in an accident, it's always the smaller vehicle's fault for failing to get out of the way.
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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There is a certain type of driver that views the usage of turn signals at the appropriate time to mean "zoom up so that you can't actually get over." Thus, I don't use my turn signal in advance if I am trying to manuever into a smallish spot because I assume the other guy is that type of a&@@*!!. If I've got enough room that no one will do that to me, or I am turning at an intersection where it's not an issue, I use the turn signal properly.
I have sometimes the impression that either signaling uses a LOT of energy, so it isn´t done to save fuel, or that some folks driving are so super-secret that they don´t want anybody to know where they are headed until the very last moment.
In general, I seem to notice a trend that drivers are more reckless and unthinking these days - not being able to see the licence plate of the car behind you at nearly 100 mph on the Autobahn because it´s so close is nothing unusual these days. Just a week ago, two vans all but rammed each other just ahead of me, purely out of aggressiveness for whatever reason - perhaps one cut the other or whatever. I´m thinking of making a sticker "This is my trunk, not your parking lot." If cars had guns integrated like in the old James Mond movies, we would have Mad Max-like highways by now...
Stefan
People do that in my city too.
I don't drive, and one of these days I am going to be run down on a fricken pedestrian crossing by someone who thinks "no need to signal my intent to pedestrians who are legally crossing the road, everyone drives anyway. I just won't bother signalling my turn."
And then they look at me as though I have ruined THEIR day when they screech to a halt, almost hitting me. Oh boo frickety hoo! You're going to be at work 3 seconds later than you otherwise would have? I WALK EVERYWHERE.
I believe the American phrase "Jackasses" is appropriate here. Also, maybe I need to visit the rant thread. Anger...rising.
I have sometimes the impression that either signaling uses a LOT of energy, so it isn´t done to save fuel, or that some folks driving are so super-secret that they don´t want anybody to know where they are headed until the very last moment.
In general, I seem to notice a trend that drivers are more reckless and unthinking these days - not being able to see the licence plate of the car behind you at nearly 100 mph on the Autobahn because it´s so close is nothing unusual these days. Just a week ago, two vans all but rammed each other just ahead of me, purely out of aggressiveness for whatever reason - perhaps one cut the other or whatever. I´m thinking of making a sticker "This is my trunk, not your parking lot." If cars had guns integrated like in the old James Mond movies, we would have Mad Max-like highways by now...
Stefan
I just have one question: who in the infinie layers of the Abyss is James Mond?
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Here in Texas, turn signals are no longer available for new trucks. Right of way is determined entirely by vehicle size; in an accident, it's always the smaller vehicle's fault for failing to get out of the way.
Please, please god tell me you're joking about this. Make it not be true. Please, because, knowing Texas, you might NOT be.
-Fatespinner: Working in the auto insurance industry since 2005.
Here in Texas, turn signals are no longer available for new trucks. Right of way is determined entirely by vehicle size; in an accident, it's always the smaller vehicle's fault for failing to get out of the way.Please, please god tell me you're joking about this. Make it not be true. Please, because, knowing Texas, you might NOT be.
-Fatespinner: Working in the auto insurance industry since 2005.
I'm exaggerating (I hope) as far as the first sentence goes. The second is gospel. A buddy of mine from Canada foolishly attempted to cross the street on foot, in the crosswalk, when the little "walk" signal appeared; he ended up on the hood of someone's truck. I drive a compact car on main streets, and must be constantly on my guard for trucks turning out of driveways and directly into me.
I always use my turn signal properly. Recently moved to Oklahoma and was accurately warned that folks around here eschew such a device. Still, I'm a New Yorker and thus not the tiniest bit intimidated by crazy drivers. Also spent over two years driving in Okinawa, Japan; where it is literally the law that any accident involving an American is the American's fault (because the Japanese can't drive until they're much older than the usual 15/16 permit age in the U.S. - we are therefore "professional" drivers and should know enough to avoid crazy Japanese drivers). This helps develop a pleasant blend of offensive & defensive driving styles.
On a similar topic - Pedestrians on the crosswalk? Who's ever witnessed such an event? Certainly no one *I* know! The reason I terrorize pedestrians is because 99.9% of the time they seem to be meandering along the roadway in complete denial that a two ton vehicle is hurtling towards them. They think if they glance in your direction that is fair warning of the fact that they're going to dart out in front of you at any second. I always say, "Gee, Mister (or Miss), you've got a lot more faith in my reflexes and braking action than I do!". Most walkers I've ever seen are just people with a death wish!
I live in New Mexico. We have a chronic shortage of blinker fluid. I suspect it is a petroleum based product and has reduced production runs due to the increase in oil prices. Most large vehicle require too much blinker fluid to be economical to purchase and the vast remainder of vehicles leak blinker fluid so that when you need to use your blinker to signal a turn you are allready outof fluid anyway.
It is much more useful to use whatever arm you are not using to hold your drink, talk on the cell phone, steer, smack the person in the back seat while changing your CD, to gesture with your middle finger extended in the direction you wish to go and floor it or break suddenly in the direction you wish to go, or whichever is least advantageous to other drivers. Once you get the hang of this do it while intoxicated. We ARE the DWI capitol of the World! Booyah!
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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We ARE the DWI capitol of the World! Booyah!
Arizona is the #3 highest auto insurance premium state in the states. Colorado and... I forget who else are more expensive than us. We have LOTS of people who drive:
- Drunk
- Without a license
- Stolen vehicles
We are actually the #1 auto theft state in the nation.
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We ARE the DWI capitol of the World! Booyah!Arizona is the #3 highest auto insurance premium state in the states. Colorado and... I forget who else are more expensive than us. We have LOTS of people who drive:
- Drunk
- Without a license
- Stolen vehicles
We are actually the #1 auto theft state in the nation.
New Jersey.
Here in Texas (specifically Austin) people use turn signals as an explanation, not a warning. Instead of, *blink, blink, blink* saying, "I need to turn, so expect a stupid maneuver," it's, "I did that stupid maneuver because I needed to turn." I think it's more of a language syntax problem.
Having learned how to drive in SoCal (many a moon ago), I leanerd defensive driving and that the best defense is a really good offense. I try to use signals properly, but there are times when fair is fair and all those anal orifices out there are gonna get taught a lesson how how to handle 1,800 pounds of steel and glass sporting a really high kinetic energy co-efficient. I've driven stuff from mo-peds to small motor homes, and most stuff in between...even a real race car (once). I've forgotten more about driving than most people will ever learn and I still can't figure out why they do some of the idiot things they do...*sigh*.
I constantly find it amazing how many people don't use turn signals. I recently moved to NYC and walk everywhere, not having a car. I'm picking up the New York pedestrian brazeness, but I always stop for a car that signals. How friggin' hard is it to flip that little lever?
I constantly find it amazing how many people don't use turn signals. I recently moved to NYC and walk everywhere, not having a car. I'm picking up the New York pedestrian brazeness, but I always stop for a car that signals. How friggin' hard is it to flip that little lever?
Well, If you´ve got one hand on the cell phone and another fiddling around with the car stereo, you just don´t have a hand free for turning on the signal. That´s obvious, and if you don´t get that, it´s your fault, of course. :-)
Stefan
The reason I terrorize pedestrians is because 99.9% of the time they seem to be meandering along the roadway in complete denial that a two ton vehicle is hurtling towards them. They think if they glance in your direction that is fair warning of the fact that they're going to dart out in front of you at any second. I always say, "Gee, Mister (or Miss), you've got a lot more faith in my reflexes and braking action than I do!". Most walkers I've ever seen are just people with a death wish!
You've got the Texas attitude down perfectly. Doesn't matter if they've got the right of way, that you need to run a red light to hit them, or that if you do kill them it's a manslaughter charge. Can't let that get in the way of your fun, 'cause you got a big ol' truck! Yeah!
Never been to Texas, though I've always wanted to go (got friends and family living there).
And how did you know I drive a full-sized truck?
Seriously though I used to drive a mini van and before that a Dodge Daytona (not exactly a vehicle well suited to pedestrian-whacking!).
I've only been in two accidents (while driving) in my whole life (which my husband will tell you is amazing). Neither accident was my fault - the first time I was rear-ended on a slippery road when I began to stop for a red light and the guy behind me didn't (stop, that is); and the second accident involved a snowmobile which pulled out perpendicular to me (attempting to cross the road in front of me while I was doing about 50 mph).
See, no pedestrian contact! (Gold star for me!).
Let me start off by saying I'm a female in Texas (Austin area) and I drive a full size truck. I tend to use the blinker more often than not, even if no one's behind me for miles, it's just habit. I do not use it if I'm coing to a light and am in a right/left turn only lane.
If Ped's have the right of way then I'm not going to bother them. If they refuse to realize what the picture of the little red man not walking means then they're fare game. j/k Really though, I remember crosswalk signs actually saying WALK/DON'T WALK. Now they've dumbed them down to pictures and they still don't pay attention... WTF?!
But this is about blinkers and I use mine, most of the time. So that's my 2cp.
And how did you know I drive a full-sized truck?
It's a safe bet that a Christian in America will have an SUV or a full-size truck (maybe a minivan, for hauling kids around). I'd give even odds you had a fish on the minivan, too. ;)
Okay, now you're just spooky. But actually I bought the van with the fish already attached. Originally, my husband & I considered removing it but couldn't decide what was worse - driving around with such a vain advertisement or removing it because we found it shameful. In the end, we let it reside there. We later donated the minivan to our home church.
Okay, now you're just spooky. But actually I bought the van with the fish already attached. Originally, my husband & I considered removing it but couldn't decide what was worse - driving around with such a vain advertisement or removing it because we found it shameful. In the end, we let it reside there. We later donated the minivan to our home church.
Heh, heh, my Knowledge (local) skill is finally coming in handy! I applaud you, by the way, for referring to the fish as a "vain advertisement" (it always seemed to me that they were sort of inconsistent with Christ's message of humility).
My favorite fish-on-a-car, instead of saying "ICHTHYS," had the word "GEFILTE" written in it. I laughed for days after I saw that one.
My favorite fish-on-a-car, instead of saying "ICHTHYS," had the word "GEFILTE" written in it. I laughed for days after I saw that one.
LOL! That one is really good.
Oh, and BTW, in Europe we always had little red and green pedestrians shown in the traffic lights for them - it has the big advantage that it is universally understood (I hope), even if you don´t know the language - I would have no idea what "walk" and "don´t walk" would mean in french or polish or danish, neither country being too far away for a visit by car. So, I don´t think it is dumbing down, it is making it universally understood.
Stefan
BTW, in Europe we always had little red and green pedestrians shown in the traffic lights for them - it has the big advantage that it is universally understood (I hope), even if you don´t know the language - I would have no idea what "walk" and "don´t walk" would mean in french or polish or danish, neither country being too far away for a visit by car. So, I don´t think it is dumbing down, it is making it universally understood.
That's one difference between Europe and the U.S.-- Europeans tend to make everyone feel as if they fit in.
That's one difference between Europe and the U.S.-- Europeans tend to make everyone feel as if they fit in.
Well, I´m not sure about this - but you have to accept that just a few hundred miles away in every direction, there are people who have a different mother language - and in every cardinal direction, another one. (well, to the south, bavarians are supposed to speak german, but one could argue this :-))
When I was in Budapest last year, I could have been in China (except that they use the same letters) - I had no clue to the language there. So, you have to contend with neighbours speaking a different language, and you better take that into consideration.Stefan
Stefan
Wow; people in your state actually use signals; hunh; what kind of cool stuff will they think of next; they must be expensive extras on cars imported to our state because almost no one uses them; heck, not even the police most of the time.
I learned to drive an automobile in Germany because I was living there at the time and took all the German road tests and written tests and stuff and got a liscense good in pretty much the whole world, but had to give it up when I got to the U.S. and they keep in at the state capital transportation dept or something so; hehe long way to say; I use turn signals, but in our state it really means; hey I turned on my signal; time for as many cars as can possibly fit to jam in next to me and not let me change lanes, well, because that is what happens; like they say thanks for the warning so we can speed up and close that hole which is why I think most people dont signal here.
Oh, and BTW, in Europe we always had little red and green pedestrians shown in the traffic lights for them - it has the big advantage that it is universally understood (I hope), even if you don´t know the language - I would have no idea what "walk" and "don´t walk" would mean in french or polish or danish, neither country being too far away for a visit by car.
Yeah we have little green and red guys at the lights, but what I was talking about were what are called zebra crossings in the UK (crosswalks in the US?) The whole purpose of them is that pedestrians have right of way on them at all times, but still some drivers don't slow down for them and/or don't indicate, and like I said, yell or give angry looks as if it's some giant inconvenience.
Of course most drivers are fine, and I know that choosing not to drive in society where everyone loves their cars has consequences. I just think being killed by a car at a designated crossing just because people assume everyone drives shouldn't be one of those consequences :)
What about all the twerps that take their 4-wheelin, overzised tired, jacked up three feet of the groud, mini-monster trucks and go over parking lot speed bumps so slow you'd swear they would lose a race with a glacier? Now that's idiotic.
Or, how about the folks with "sporty" carts that sit so low to the ground they risk high-centering their cars on those same speed bumps?
Sheesh!
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I've noticed an annoying trend in my fair city... Those few drivers who signal before they turn don't actually do so until they're already in the turn lane and stopped at the light waiting to turn. Well what good does it do anyone by then? Isn't the whole point to let those behind you know you're going to turn BEFORE you change lanes? I'm wondering if that's what they're teaching in drivers ed now. Anyone know for sure?
Yes, I'm late into this thread, but it's the same up here in Alaska. Particularly, I love the drivers who drive 10 miles under the limit YEAR ROUND (the roads stay pretty clear all the time, and the snow is totally gone by May). A close runner up are the drivers who don't brake until the very last second, but gradually go slower and slower and SLOWER (20 in a 45!!??!!), then suddenly brake and turn with no signal at all, or as you say, suddenly remember to signal AFTER they've already all-but-parked in the turn lane...These are followed by the drivers who brake at EVERY TRAFFIC LIGHT NO MATTER THAT THE LIGHT IS GREEEEEN!!!!! And of course, these are followed by the drivers who take a good five seconds or more to MOVE FORWARD after the light has turned from red to green...followed by the drivers who seemingly deliberately either speed up as they approach an intersection or change from the far lane to the near lane as you are waiting to turn onto the road...I could go on all night...ahhhhh, the cathartic message boards of Paizo; what would I do without them?
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I'm exaggerating (I hope) as far as the first sentence goes. The second is gospel. A buddy of mine from Canada foolishly attempted to cross the street on foot, in the crosswalk, when the little "walk" signal appeared; he ended up on the hood of someone's truck. I drive a compact car on main streets, and must be constantly on my guard for trucks turning out of driveways and directly into me.Here in Texas, turn signals are no longer available for new trucks. Right of way is determined entirely by vehicle size; in an accident, it's always the smaller vehicle's fault for failing to get out of the way.Please, please god tell me you're joking about this. Make it not be true. Please, because, knowing Texas, you might NOT be.
-Fatespinner: Working in the auto insurance industry since 2005.
I'm surprised he got more than halfway across the street before DON'T WALK started flashing...
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I always use my turn signal properly. Recently moved to Oklahoma and was accurately warned that folks around here eschew such a device. Still, I'm a New Yorker and thus not the tiniest bit intimidated by crazy drivers. Also spent over two years driving in Okinawa, Japan; where it is literally the law that any accident involving an American is the American's fault (because the Japanese can't drive until they're much older than the usual 15/16 permit age in the U.S. - we are therefore "professional" drivers and should know enough to avoid crazy Japanese drivers). This helps develop a pleasant blend of offensive & defensive driving styles.
On a similar topic - Pedestrians on the crosswalk? Who's ever witnessed such an event? Certainly no one *I* know! The reason I terrorize pedestrians is because 99.9% of the time they seem to be meandering along the roadway in complete denial that a two ton vehicle is hurtling towards them. They think if they glance in your direction that is fair warning of the fact that they're going to dart out in front of you at any second. I always say, "Gee, Mister (or Miss), you've got a lot more faith in my reflexes and braking action than I do!". Most walkers I've ever seen are just people with a death wish!
This is definitely my favorite thread--I'm a very angry driver. I tend to despise most pedestrians (who decline to use the crosswalks); it's like they are daring me to hit them; I'm especially fond of the peds who saunter or Joe Cool their way to the other side of the road...
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Never been to Texas, though I've always wanted to go (got friends and family living there).
And how did you know I drive a full-sized truck?
Seriously though I used to drive a mini van and before that a Dodge Daytona (not exactly a vehicle well suited to pedestrian-whacking!).
I've only been in two accidents (while driving) in my whole life (which my husband will tell you is amazing). Neither accident was my fault - the first time I was rear-ended on a slippery road when I began to stop for a red light and the guy behind me didn't (stop, that is); and the second accident involved a snowmobile which pulled out perpendicular to me (attempting to cross the road in front of me while I was doing about 50 mph).
See, no pedestrian contact! (Gold star for me!).
We call them snow machines up here in the Frozen North; but we LOVE those MOT&*% F*&^($S! The absolute COOLEST snow machine episode I've ever experienced: two years ago, as I exit the far side of an overpass at about 3 in the afternoon (pitch black in December), two sportsmen explode from the left and right, crossing the highway just in front of me, very literally narrowly avoiding certain death on the grill of my Jeep!
(well, to the south, bavarians are supposed to speak german, but one could argue this :-))
Stefan, I was born in Bavaria, and even I can't understand them when they talk.
At last. A place to vent. I live in Taiwan. Taiwan. There is no incidence of stupidity on the road that is not commonplace here. We have many of the stupidest drivers on the planet. My friend Paul has pins in his leg from the following:
He got hit by a car...
On a pedestrian crossing...
That went through a red light...
Driving the wrong way down the road to find a parking space...
And the driver shouted at him.
We have triple parked cars.
Road directions and boundary markers are optional.
The government has started an awareness campaign to tell people what a zebra crossing is.
A family of four on a scooter, with a dog.
A man on a scooter with a twelve rung ladder.
Homemade vehicles that started as a motorcycle and somehow became seven metres long.
I will stop now.
people on bicycles on the freeway.
Those few drivers who signal before they turn don't actually do so until they're already in the turn lane and stopped at the light waiting to turn.
People use turn signals where you live!? I'm not even sure what one would look like! (OK, the last bit was an exxageration, but seriously, the only reason there aren't more accidents here is that not enough people live here to take up the space on the roads.)
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Those few drivers who signal before they turn don't actually do so until they're already in the turn lane and stopped at the light waiting to turn.People use turn signals where you live!? I'm not even sure what one would look like! (OK, the last bit was an exxageration, but seriously, the only reason there aren't more accidents here is that not enough people live here to take up the space on the roads.)
And, hardly anyone has functioning signal lights. Or functioning cars, for that matter.
And, hardly anyone has functioning signal lights. Or functioning cars, for that matter.Those few drivers who signal before they turn don't actually do so until they're already in the turn lane and stopped at the light waiting to turn.People use turn signals where you live!? I'm not even sure what one would look like! (OK, the last bit was an exxageration, but seriously, the only reason there aren't more accidents here is that not enough people live here to take up the space on the roads.)
It's a wonder those cars even go, weighed down by all that rust.