JIMNLIN wrote:
Some of the comments are funny.
The left turn blinkers were never meant for the person following to jump out and pass without first looking for themselves.
The driver in front who flashed his/her left blinkers leaves that decision up to the person wanting to pass.
And we even used the left blinker to encourage a tailgater to get off my bumper go on around.
As I said earlier I did it years back when I was on the road 24/7.... and had it done to me thankfully. It was considered common courtesy.
In fact when even today if I'm with other vehicles on a trip I flash the left blinker to those that are following me its ok to pass when we come upon the typical old farmer going to town at 40 mph on a 65 mph hiway. Most are smart enough to use their brain to make that safe pass decision. Others ??
When I first started driving and people were using the left turn signal like described, it was to indicate it was safe to go around
when you couldn't actually see into the distance. If you could see around the vehicle why would you need to have someone signal it was safe to pass? The left turn signal basically said "It's safe to come around because there's no traffic coming", usually used when there was a slight rise or curve you couldn't see past because of the vehicle in front of you. You relied on the person to be telling the truth, a small leap of faith, so to speak.
And why would they need you to tell them it was safe to pass that "typical old farmer going to town at 40 mph on a 65 mph hiway" unless they couldn't see past you? Basically you're telling them it's all clear and no traffic coming so they can go around both you and the old farmer. Where does the brain usage come into effect? They either believe you or they don't. I used to, now I don't.
