MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE...USE DIRECTIONALS!

[DougG]

Hi All,                                                                        12-11-21  (another palindrome date)

 Yesterday, heavy traffic, two lanes in both directions.  A car in front of me in my lane stopped to make a left, just stopped in the lane...no directionals...cars going around it at the last second.  Sure enough, in the oncoming lane the same thing was happening.  Several close calls in both directions.  YIKES!! 
I don't know why, but the great majority of motorcycles I see use their directionals...the great majority of cars don't.   

Be alert, be safe, use directionals and watch out for those who don't.

Be well, stay well,
DougG

[Guzzi Gal]

Hi All,                                                                        12-11-21  (another palindrome date)

 Yesterday, heavy traffic, two lanes in both directions.  A car in front of me in my lane stopped to make a left, just stopped in the lane...no directionals...cars going around it at the last second.  Sure enough, in the oncoming lane the same thing was happening.  Several close calls in both directions.  YIKES!! 
I don't know why, but the great majority of motorcycles I see use their directionals...the great majority of cars don't.   

Be alert, be safe, use directionals and watch out for those who don't.

Be well, stay well,
DougG

I've never heard them called directionals. Those ID10Ts that don't indicate their intended direction put everyone at risk.

[JJ]

We have more than a few "ROUND-ABOUTS" up here in Vortex-Land, and I always use my turn-signals, (...or directional's) when entering one, and especially when turning "LEFT" - - for obvious reasons....

[inditx]

Hi All,                                                                        12-11-21  (another palindrome date)

 Yesterday, heavy traffic, two lanes in both directions.  A car in front of me in my lane stopped to make a left, just stopped in the lane...no directionals...cars going around it at the last second.  Sure enough, in the oncoming lane the same thing was happening.  Several close calls in both directions.  YIKES!! 
I don't know why, but the great majority of motorcycles I see use their directionals...the great majority of cars don't.   

Be alert, be safe, use directionals and watch out for those who don't.

Be well, stay well,
DougG

THIS! +1
And could we make it part of the driving test to know how to CORRECTLY MERGE please?! and thank you.
inditx

[80CX100]

Be alert, be safe, use directionals and watch out for those who don't.

Be well, stay well,
DougG

     I do one better than that.

     If I'm on my bike and even sometimes in my car or truck if I deem it a potentially dangerous spot, or a distracted daydreaming driver behind me, I use hand signals as well.

     People may look at me like I'm crazy, so what,,,

     If it keeps me alive, saves me from dealing with body shops, insurance companies etc,,, well worth my time and extra caution.

      fwiw ymmv

[guzziart]

I find myself using hand signals more often than not on the old Eldo....easier than trying to throw the switch & modulate throttle at the same time.

[DougG]

Hi all,                                                          12-11-21

Just got back to my computer.

G Gal - Directionals is a general term for turn signals, hand signals, et.  And...yup those folks are IDIOTS.  They put everyone at risk.
JJ - Roundabouts are good, but it's confusing as to who should yield.  In NJ the people in them are supposed to, in NC the entering drivers are supposed to...
Indi - Good point about driver's test.
80 - Good personal policy.
Guzzi - Makes sense.

[Scout63]

Some people just can’t take directionals.  (Sorry).

[Bulldog9]

Always use directionals/turnsignals/blinkers   caged or on a bike. Use hand signals on the bike if other vehicles or people are around.

[stonelover]

The reason for the confusion as to who should yield in a circle stems from the fact that traffic circles (as cited in NJ) and roundabouts (as cited in NC) are different beasts. In a traffic circle, those already in are to yield and allow those approaching to merge. This is supposed to allow high volume higher speed traffic flow. For the smaller roundabout the approaching traffic is to yield to those already in the circle. Typically lower volume and fewer conflicts.

[DougG]

Hi Stone,                                                 12-12-21

Thanks for the clarification about circles and roundabouts.   

Be well, stay well,
DougG

[JJ]

The reason for the confusion as to who should yield in a circle stems from the fact that traffic circles (as cited in NJ) and roundabouts (as cited in NC) are different beasts. In a traffic circle, those already in are to yield and allow those approaching to merge. This is supposed to allow high volume higher speed traffic flow. For the smaller roundabout the approaching traffic is to yield to those already in the circle. Typically lower volume and fewer conflicts.

All true...and in Germany, as I recall...the traffic entering the circle from THE RIGHT has the right of way...to those already in the circle... and must yield to these cars entering from the right....

(Yes, it can all be very confusing...)  So, the best approach is to use one's turn signal...GO SLOW...and stay ALERT!!

[Bulldog9]

Round abouts/traffic circles are always interesting, and as stated some states/territories have different laws. In most it seems that the vehicles in the circle have the right of way and those entering have to yeild. Can be crazy when this is not the case.  I remember my first time driving in Ireland. Driving on the wrong side of the road and sitting on the wrong side of the car, and shifting with the wrong hand (at least from my experience) and entering a busy dual lane traffic circle/roundabout in Dublin almost broke my brain....... I quickly discovered why my car insurance company and credit card insurance was not applicable...... Didn't need it, but was by the grace of God and the slimmest of chances.

I think there are still people in Dublin, Galway and the Dingle Peninsula who still curse me 

[mechanicsavant]

What ! Am I supposed to put down my phone or my latte to use a stupid turn signal ! It’s not my fault you’re on a stupid murdercycle . Besides , my vehicle has 11 air bags , I don’t have to pay attention. Now , stop bothering me !

[Old Jock]

Here in dear old blighty inidcators (or directionals if you prefer) get used less and less, those that do choose to use them usually put them on far, far too late.

My gripe with car design is indicators are difficult to make out. A lot for designs integrate the indicator (or place it very close to the headlamp) The overpoweringly bright headlamps make the indicator difficult to see.

Motorcycles on the other hand are usually a lot easier to make out.

With roundabouts, the law here is universal AFAIK traffic inside the roundabout has priority.

On the continent it's usually the other way around.

No wonder you guys in the US don't like them very much if the laws change from state to state.

[DougG]

Bdog,  at least you made an impression!   

Well said, Mechanic.   I think that's the general cager attitude.   

OJ, on top of that, I'm easily confused.

Be well, stay well,
DougG

[blackcat]

Plenty of traffic circles in the NE, easy to navigate but down here in FLduh they installed one with a couple more in the waiting. They are great because now people avoid them and find another way to get to their destination.