From: randy@rls.UUCP (Randall L. Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Stereotypical frustrating drivers
Date: 9 Apr 92 19:48:41 GMT
Organization: The Internet

tmkk@uiuc.edu (K. Khan) writes:
> Now here's a perspective I've never heard expressed before. Congrats,
> Randy - if nothing else, your peeve is original! ;-)

This group is rampant with the stuff.  Isn't that what this group is for?
:-)  Originality is good.  How many time can we grouse about left lane hogs
and parking in handicapped zones?

>> Bill, you might want to revisit your drivers ed books.
>
> You might want to do the same, Randy.

Hardy har.  Gotcha.  I had just helped my neice get her license again
because they expired.  She had to do the written and drivers test all
over.  I was the chaffeur and booklet tester.  I also looked over one of
the tests while she was taking hers.  They're a cakewalk.

So.  Thank you, I did look in the book.  Where did you think I got the
idea to suggest that to Bill.  It was not sarcasm.  It was sincere.

> Actually, what they're doing is getting a bunch of cars to pull up
> behind them, thinking that the lead car is going to go straight, only to
> have the idiot turn on his signal after it's too late for the people
> behind to choose the other lane. Thus, all those cars are stuck behind
> the turning car, possibly for the entire duration of the light. They're
> pissed because the delay could have been avoided if only the lead car
> had signalled.

What?  People don't know they're in the turn only lane?  How many signs
and road arrows or other indications does it take to clue you into the
notion that you're in the turn only lane.  You really rely on other
drivers for roadway information?

No wonder there's herds of cars piled up trying to turn at clearly
marked no turn locations.  You just uncovered one of my little questions
of driving psychology.  Thanks. 

>> Secondarily, if you turn your blinkers on one block before you turn you
>> are in violation of most cities and counties legal restrictions on use
>> of turn signals.  In Ohio it is a maximum of 100 feet before the turn,
>                                    ^^^^^^^
> Check it again - I'll bet it says MINIMUM. In any case, the word is
> minimum in most states.

Anyway, back to the elementary driving test stuff.  Even one of the
questions on the written test that *anyone* should know is the MAXIMUM
is 100 feet.  Why would there be a minimum when there are side streets
and driveways that could be interpreted as the desired turning point
within any minimum distance?

>> Personally, I'm all for turning off turn signals while sitting at long
>> lights.  I KNOW YOU'RE TURNING, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME ALL DAMNED
>> DAY LONG.  A brief informative notion that you're turning is enough,
>> but don't wear the message out.  Since you're not going anywhere, who
>> gives a damned.
>
> Why does it bother you so much?  Are you afraid of having an epileptic
> seizure?  Sheesh!! Lighten up!!

I am one of those that are bugged by the screaming yellow beacons that
are designed for long distances for a brief time through thick fog not
for short distances for long periods in clear weather. 

Also FYI, I didn't know just how many ways to phrase my notion to convey
the point.  If you only say things one way, many flamers don't get the
gist correct and go off half cocked.  Sheesh.  Lighten up yourself. 

> OK, so *you* know that the car in front is going to turn. What about the
> car behind you?  And the car behind that car which pulls up 30 seconds
> later?  Should the turning driver have to watch for all upcoming traffic,
> and repeat his turn signal for 10 flashes so that each car arriving will
> know his intentions (as required by law)?  Or is your attitude that those
> cars who arrived "late" don't deserve to know that the lead car is
> turning? 

Hardly.  My attitude is that any nitwit should know they are in the turning
lane and that other drivers are terrible sources of roadway information. 
Besides, it's not that tough (for most) to flip off the turn signal at
*long* lights. 

I stand by my desire to see all cars having turn signal limits of ten
blinks before they automatically shut off.

> If you're this pettily peevish about a simple turn signal, I shudder
> to think about what you might be like for other "offenses.")

Shudder on.  I just call it courtesy and consideration for the fellow
driver.  Thanks for the insights!  ;-)

- randy

randy@rls.uucp  <backbone>!osu-cis!rls!randy  rls!randy@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu
It's a fax from your dog, Mr. Dansworth.  It looks like your cat.  - Larson
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving