From: randy@rls.UUCP (Randall L. Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Stereotypical frustrating drivers
Date: 10 Apr 92 16:26:04 GMT
Organization: The Internet

bill@Celestial.COM (Bill Campbell) writes:
> In <10901@rls.UUCP> randy@rls.UUCP (Randall L. Smith) writes:
> >bill@Celestial.COM (Bill Campbell) writes:
> >> How 'bout the idiot who pulls up to the intersection, waits for
> >> the light to change, then turns on the left turn signal.  For
> >> that matter any person who signals less than a block from where
> >> they're going to turn.
> The purpose of turn signals is to allow other drivers to know
> what you're planning to do in time to take appropriate action.
> I'm sorry if the clicking bothers you.

No, the clicking doesn't really bug me.  I'm in the car behind the
interminable flashers.  Really, older cars aren't noticeable because their
turn signals are lower on the rear of the car and they are usually still
the old red.  Nowadays, the blinkeys are *BRIGHT* yellow (not always)
and high up on the rear deck.

I'm coming to think my windshield has something to do with the diffusion
of the lights.  Maybe I can just get eyeball transplants to be less
sensitive to high contrast lights.  The thing is, broad daylight doesn't
bother me at all.

>> Bill, you might want to revisit your drivers ed books.

I'm really sorry how this sounds.  I was trying to point to a reference
not suggest you goto the back of the class.  It's my fault.

> Screw legal obligations!  The point is to allow other drivers to know
> what you're about to do and have time to change lanes if necessary.

Well, I don't know about screwing our legal obligations especially
when it comes to accicents.  But generally I agree with your sentiments.

The point *is* that sitting in long lines with blinkeys a-flashin' are not
informing anyone of anything.  If I am the first car behind you and there
are cars in front of you at turn only lanes waiting at a light.  Nobody
but myself really sees what you signal is saying.  The guys in front of
you don't care and the guys behind me aren't involved in your decision.
The guy right behind you is the most involved prior to the actual turn
and he already knows all about your decision.

When you finally arrive at the intersection, *then* it is important
because of what you said above about information to others.

> Take a look at the law again.  In Maryland, that was a MINIMUM,
> not a maximum.  Ohio may well be different (I took the southern
> route in the '79 Cannonball to avoid Ohio :-).

No need to look again.  See previous post re: niece.  Ohio must be
different.   Didja win/place/show in the cannonball?

>> 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. 

> This assumes that there's someone behind you.  What do you do if
> there's a car coming up who hasn't seen you?

True re: assumption.  I don't care if the guy behind me doesn't know what
I'm about to do until I'm really about to do it.  Even if I'm the lead car
it doesn't matter because I gotta sit tight for the light.  When the light
changes or traffic starts to move, I turn on my signal. 

Cheers!

- 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