Do you signal when lane changing!

[cab83_750]

On my way home today, I had noticed that a Lexus (either the IS??? or the GS??), was changing lanes, floating from the 1st lane to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, 3rd all the way to 1,.... WITHOUT using her flashers.

I had been noticing her for the last 10 minutes, when sure enough she decided to pass me and with very little time, drove in front of me without flashing.

I shifted in and out of 3rd and 4th and vice versa making her taste her own medicine. BOY, was she furious! She tried to pass me but her Lexus could never keep up with my SC.

I attempted to show her that I singled her our by flashing and very courteously passing others with my blinkers, but with her....no blinkers from me!


I do not know about you guys, but people changing lanes without flashing always make me boil! I consider them to be the most inconsiderate, lazy-a?? drivers and should be ticketed!

[Wayne 962]

Sometimes I'm lazy when it's 3AM and I'm the only one on the road, on the way to Pomona (to buy that $500 911S...)

-Wayne

[dtw]

Yeah it drives me nucking futs. I have logged about 4,000 miles in the last month or so and I think I may have to see a therapist soon. What also kills me is the TARDs (Typical American Roadway Driver, as you'll recall) sailing along in the left lane at 55.

Storytime:
Driving home from DC two weeks ago and this TARD female is in her SUV going 60 in the left lane on a 4-lane highway. After I brighted her about 150 times she finally eeeeaaaaasees over taking her sweet time. I blast by at 75 and promptly jump into the right lane - where I belong. 5 minutes pass and I see the TARD crusing along, back in the left for some reason. Now she's going about 80. I think "Gee that's stupid - with all the Virginia troopers out, you'd think she'd have sense to get right and keep a low profile." No sooner had I thought it that I saw the blue lights start up. An unmarked burgundy Vic had been tailing her, and was now pulling her over. She speeds up (!!!) until she is alongside me. Then ahead of me, which puts the cop next to me. I look over at him to make sure he doesn't want me too (he'd probably seen me hauling ass). He doesn't. Finally the chick-TARD yanks in front of me really hard and slams on her brakes. This, mind you, 10 feet in front of Virginia's finest. So I'm pinned between the cop on my left and the TARD in front, so I just put both feet in and hope for the best. Fortunately she gets over to the right just as I'm about to hit her. The cop swooped in behind her and I got the hell out of there. I think she was mad that she was getting snagged when I had "started it". I was going to stop to make sure he got her for failure to stop for blue lights, careless/reckless driving, speeding, and road rage. I didn't want the ticket that was potentially waiting for me, so I just left.

Silly TARDs.

Oh and to be on topic: She didn't signal.

[cab83_750]

Wayne,

And I thought I was crazy. I leave home at 5:20 a.m. to go to work. Best way and time to hit 101E/405S at 9X-1XXX MPH!

HeeHah! And NO, I do not flash when I am alone on the FWY...feels like Twilight Zone, though!

By the way, everytime I pick up my parts, It is always Tom! And you're nowhere to be found! Even at Pomona! It is Tom. Where is your lazy*&(* butt to greet a customer?

It is getting harder and harder to go to El Seg. My orders next week will be via mail (my first mail order).

[cab83_750]

Dave,

Oh, yeah! My way of getting even with your TARD is by going in front of her vehicle, and slllloooowwwwlllly, slowly decrease my speed. I never fails for them to go to the 2nd lane; when they do, then I speed up!

By the way, I love to speed (especially on a rice rocket). No tickets for the last 20 years.....
(secret: be fast, be very very fast....but let another assh**(* be the fastest and make him be the bait!)

[Brian Cameron]

On the highways around here, one of the dominant species is the "white haired gawking booby".

This species drives at or below the speed limit, always in the leftmost lane, and frequently leaves its left or right turn signal flashing although there is no intention of making a lane change.

They apparently possess no peripheral vision as they do not respond to flashing lights in rearview mirrors. They probably only have limited hearing, as they rarely respond to honking horns.

With these limited defense adaptations, you may find it surprising that this species has survived and even flourished. However, it is usually encased with several thousand pounds of steel, glass, and fabric, in the form of a late model luxury car or motor home. With this defensive armour, it is virtually immune to predators.

BTW, out of force of habit, I always signal lane changes, even when the highway is only sparsely populated (when I'm the only one on the road I just stay put in the right lane... hence no need to signal).

I remember reading about a high speed chase where the perp signalled every lane change, dodge, turn, and high speed evasive maneouver. Could have been me - except for the running from the cops part. Funny how ingrained a habit can be. Now if I could only get in the habit of returning phone calls promptly...

[dtw]

What's fun is watching noobs use turn signals at the track...corner workers always get a kick out of that

[grant lyon]

Cell phones with busy driver attached, or MH Volvos?

[911carrera]

[IMG]http://[/IMG] Hi,I do signal as a courtesy driver,but if no ones around,than I dont.

Robert

[Superman]

I feel strongly about this. Drivers in my country should be required to show a bit more competency in order to get a license. Quite a bit, in some cases. Since no one follows any sort of customs or patterns (like staying right except to pass, which is a law by the way, or using turn signals, which is another law), the roadways are a dangerous and aggravating free-for-all.

And I have advice for some of you. Don't play games with the drivers that are not following the rules or law. They are dangerous drivers to begin with and you will not have the effect on them that you hope. I have had the misfortune of being a somewhat excitable chap, and I assure you that you cannot educate these people or motivate them toward courteous behavior while you're both still in your cars.

Now, if the State Patrol would just deputize me, I could educate some folks. Every single day, I see someone who is still on an onramp, drift across the dusty, gravelly 'core point' through traffic in a desperate attempt to immediately get into the passing lane and either 1, cruise at 60 or 2, try to pass all the cars on the onramp, that they should still be behind. Someone hit a M/C trooper here that way a few months ago. Hopefully the SP will be looking for this but you know, our drivers are just so ignorant of proper, coordinated traffic flow, that there really is no hope unless the competency requirement is put in place.

I saw a show the other day about the German autobahn. It seems the fine for not staying right is $1000 and they write those tickets when they catch people. I'm guessing a suspended license is next, if the motorist shows any pattern of citations.

We need to take driving more seriously. Put your cell phone and your coffee down, adjust your mirrors, and FOCUS. We could all go 90 mph safely, if it weren't for the TURDS or whatever.

[Typical Fish]

I find that I signal ALL the time; even when pulling into my own driveway; middle of the night, parking on the grass at the Rose Bowl, etc. It is an automatic response.

I guess that would make me one of those idiots who signal at the track and pretty much unable to get away from a cop in a high speed chase.

[David]

I also always signal and stay right. The state of Texas passed a law a couple years back making it a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 to impede the flow of traffic by driving in the left lane. The only signs I've seen say "Left lane for passing only", they fail to mention the $500 fine which would make people think about it. See the TXDOT site at: http://www.dot.state.tx.us/kidsonly/TexasPg/TxDrHwys.html

[autobonrun]

I signal all the time out of habit. Others not signalling is one of my pet peeves along with officers that see it happen and do nothing about it. Others:

1) Drivers not stopping at a stop sign before turning right
2) Pulling half their car out into an intersection before stopping
3) tailgating ( I find slowing to a crawl helps)
4) Running red lights
5) Staying in the left lane
6) Not accelerating or even coming to a stop on a freeway onramp
7) Not taking turns at a four way stop and playing chicken because they know you won't crash your Porsche into their rolling total.


Sometimes I'd like to own a full size Checker with a log for a front bumper just for those that go through a stop sign before stopping. Wouldn't hurt anyone, just take off the front bumper.

[pwd72s]

Two things never wear out on a Caddy. Turn signals & rear view mirrors. I guess the same applies to a Lexus? Seriously, drivers like these are the ones you want to keep a distance from....they are usually unaware of what's aound them.

[RoninLB]

IMHO, a 911 should always signal and always keep "right"/except when passing..and safely speed to the max/as long as you are following a point man 1/4 mi behind, that gets eaten when the Valentine 1 sings.. I see no reason to stimulate bears that always have a keen eye on a 911

.....and Super is no posting a rant on this subject. IMO, Washington State has the worst drivers in the US...one example/never have I seen so many slow left lane jerks at rush hour..not one.a bunch of them ..every 5 min on a ride commuter traffic is swerving to get around them creating dangerous situations...and about signaling before changing lanes/try Florida for a big dose of medicated/old drivers/big sedans/speeding/no signaling into your lane then slamming on the brakes. but at least their speeding and are great bait for the bears ....................Ron

[RatBoy4]

I always signal, like many of you when pulling into my driveway at 11:00pm. It kills me to see when a cop doesn't signal. I guess that they have been trained in their high speed chase classes not to signal, but even when patroling and turning a corner they don't signal. ARGH!

[Jack K]

I believe that it's not only a matter of annoyance - signalling at all times is essential.

We all know there are blind spots in the mirrors of our cars and it's not always possible to see other vehicles, especially motor bikes.

[RSupdate]

No matter how much faster I am going than the flow of traffic I always use my turn signals. I just want the people I am passing to know my intended move...I stay within my abilities and use my head, and if it's a safe lane change than it's a go...with signals.. before I actually start to move over..

I know I drive on the fast side of life, but I want the vehicles I'm over taking to know what I'm about to do...I want to get home safe too.....maybe just a bit quicker than they do tho...

[Axeman]

I always signal out of habit as well. I lived in France/Germany most of my life and driving on the autobahn you have to be courteous and drive like a human beeing. Sometimes, I wonder why I'm using my turn-signals here in L.A. with these a**holes on the freeway! The thing that drives me to boiling point is when they cut me off then flip me off for cutting me off!! That's when I lose it and start doing some crazy stuff...
But I agree, people should have to go through some serious tests in this country before getting a driver's license.

--Peace!

[Moses]

When I lived in New York I had a crazy friend from Tennessee who HATED being tailgated. He would hit the brakes fast and hard then jump on the accelerator. On two occaisions I turned around to see the tailgater sliding sideways on the turnpike. I had to ask him not to do that while I was in the car and he got pissed. I guess he figured driver education was his PERSONAL responsibility.