Let's talk about cars
Jan 11th 2020, 1:53 am
#7411
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
Why do so many drivers not indicate (US: use blinkers) when turning left or right? Is it laziness, ignorance, or is it a deliberate refusal to inform other drivers of their intentions?
A typical scenario is driving down a major through route in the right-hand lane behind a pickup truck, and the first indication that the driver in front intends to turn into Tres Amigos Mart is when his brake lights illuminate. We then come to a complete stop because the driver is both incapable of making a sharp right hand turn and unable to judge his vehicle's width. Pickup truck drivers require two lanes in order to turn, so I now have to wait until the exit lane from the car park is clear.
Oddly my wife asserts that women drivers are the worst, although I am sure men are just as bad. Hopefully these new genders I have been reading about will be better when it comes to indicating.
Is it really that difficult to flip the indicator stick up or down? My 1950s Morris Minor had a large dashboard-mounted rotary knob to operate the indicators, which meant taking a hand off the steering wheel to turn the knob. I think those flashing indicators were a post-factory addition to the original equipment, which was still in place:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...rafficator.jpg
A typical scenario is driving down a major through route in the right-hand lane behind a pickup truck, and the first indication that the driver in front intends to turn into Tres Amigos Mart is when his brake lights illuminate. We then come to a complete stop because the driver is both incapable of making a sharp right hand turn and unable to judge his vehicle's width. Pickup truck drivers require two lanes in order to turn, so I now have to wait until the exit lane from the car park is clear.
Oddly my wife asserts that women drivers are the worst, although I am sure men are just as bad. Hopefully these new genders I have been reading about will be better when it comes to indicating.
Is it really that difficult to flip the indicator stick up or down? My 1950s Morris Minor had a large dashboard-mounted rotary knob to operate the indicators, which meant taking a hand off the steering wheel to turn the knob. I think those flashing indicators were a post-factory addition to the original equipment, which was still in place:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...rafficator.jpg
Jan 11th 2020, 2:19 am
#7412
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: PNW
Posts: 214
Re: Let's talk about cars
Having said that people still don't indicate, or if they do they are often in a right side lane indicating right and then turn left!
Jan 11th 2020, 2:50 am
#7413
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
Jan 11th 2020, 3:43 am
#7414
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2019
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 520
Re: Let's talk about cars
The signal herein required shall be given by means of the hand and arm in the manner herein specified, or by any mechanical or electrical signal device approved by . . .
I will henceforth give by means of the hand and arm signal my intended response to such other vehicle that does not indicate.
Jan 11th 2020, 9:20 am
#7416
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Let's talk about cars
It's worse here in Georgia where the vehicle in front of you will signal because the one in front of HIM is turning!
Hmmm. Not sure I have personally seen anyone do that.
Not the lack of signalling on the other hand, that is irritating. Especially if they slam on their brakes about 5 yards before the turn when previously running at 50mph.
Jan 11th 2020, 1:48 pm
#7417
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
My wife says I indicate too early when coming home, but most people following me up the main road seem to appreciate the forewarning and back off, giving me time to slow down and make the turn while they can maintain their speed at at least around 30mph.
I do sometimes wonder how many people think my brake lights are faulty as I ease off the gas with several hundred yards to go, down shift a couple of times, and usually make the turn without needing the brakes, or just with a small dab on the pedal.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jan 11th 2020 at 1:51 pm.
Jan 11th 2020, 5:29 pm
#7418
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Let's talk about cars
I was thinking about this recently. In the US, at least where I drive (CA, AZ), there's often multiple lanes, and the general usage seems to be that people stay out of the right lane altogether unless they plan to get off the road at some point. Thus, the right hand lane, which in 'UK' usage would be the only lane to be used, ends up being used solely as a turn-off lane. 'Through' traffic sticks to the remaining lanes. This perhaps applies more to urban freeways than city streets, but I've noticed similar behavior on some city streets. I was in the center lane when I was pondering this ... I thought '... I'd be chastised by my British friends if they saw me ambling along in the center lane'; then I remembered why I do this - precisely to avoid what you guys are talking about here - people abruptly slowing down and turning right! ETA - it also has the added advantage of allowing vehicles wanting to join the main road to do so without having to wait for an endless stream of cars to pass...
Jan 13th 2020, 6:10 am
#7419
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 2,554
Re: Let's talk about cars
It simply boils down to drivers over here don’t give a flying s*** about anyone else. No indication, sitting in the outside lane without a care in the world........ I used to love driving. I now hate it. The car just sits in the drive only getting used when absolutely needed. Thank god for the motorcycle and being able to legally lane split!!!!
Jan 13th 2020, 2:33 pm
#7421
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
The Z8 was a boutique car (made in small numbers), and from what I have heard, it doesn't even handle very well. That one might be a $50k car, but $175k is stupid, though I know other examples sell for more.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jan 13th 2020 at 3:18 pm.
Jan 13th 2020, 3:14 pm
#7422
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Re: Let's talk about cars
A nice group - I think the Z3 is the best looking, but like a number of other instances, BMW ruined it by making it bigger when they replaced it with the Z4. Toyota did that with the Celica when they replaced the beautiful fifth gen '89-'93 with the sixth, Honda did it with the well-proportioned Prelude when they replaced the fourth gen '91-'96 with the fifth, and Triumph did it with the TR5 when they replaced it with the TR6. Just making a car bigger, doesn't make it better!
The Z8 was a boutique car (made in small numbers), and from what I have heard, it doesn't even handle very well. That one might be a $50k car, but $175k is stupid, though I know other examples sell for more.
The Z8 was a boutique car (made in small numbers), and from what I have heard, it doesn't even handle very well. That one might be a $50k car, but $175k is stupid, though I know other examples sell for more.
The silver M Roadster in the picture is mine.
I have first refusal on the Red M Coupe, but the prices keep rising and the owner is not keen to sell
Feb 5th 2020, 3:36 pm
#7424
Stand-up Philosopher
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Regina Saskatchewan
Posts: 16,344
Re: Let's talk about cars
Feb 20th 2020, 1:26 pm
#7425
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Let's talk about cars
https://anewspost.com/delorean-confi...-dmc-12s-cars/
Speaking of DeLorean, plans for a come back...and it's not a April 1st....
Speaking of DeLorean, plans for a come back...and it's not a April 1st....