From: sgccrjh@citec.oz.au (Robert Howlett)
Subject: Re: Stereotypical frustrating drivers
Organization: CITEC
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 04:23:51 GMT

randy@rls.UUCP (Randall L. Smith) writes:
:
: tmkk@uiuc.edu (K. Khan) writes:
: 
: > 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?

This would make sense, if he was talking about a TURN ONLY LANE.  However,
he isn't.   Obviously people wouldn't think that the lead car was going
to go straight, if it was turn only lane!  I think the situation being
referred to is a turn OR straight lane, where people stop at the red,
and don't indicate their intention to turn.  Peple behind (who want to
go straight) think aha, the lead car is going straight, it's OK to stay
in this lane.  Much cursing and abuse when the the light goes green, and
the lead car suddenly indicates to turn!  Everyone behind has to wait for 
the oncoming traffic to clear, so the bozo can turn, and they can then go
straight.  Sometimes only one car can clear the intersection per light
change.. means a long wait if you are fourth in line and the other three
cars in front are turning but haven't bothered to indicate.

: 
: 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. 

Try reading others posts a bit closer next time.  Thanks.

: > 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. 

Once again, it's NOT a trun only lane.  I can't imagine someone being dumb
enough to complain about not being able to go straight in a turn only lane!

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

This is fine in the situation where it is obvious what the car must be
doing.  However, in a situation where there is a choice to turn or not,
other motorists and pedestrians need to know what the heck someone is going
to do.

: - 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
-- 

Robert Howlett              Internet: sgccrjh@citecuc.citec.oz.au
Unix System Administrator   Phone:    +61-7-834-2895
Department Of Transport     Fax:      +61-7-834-2911