passing signal

I think we need to concentrate on educating people on how to use their signals properly as intended now in the first place before we even think about discussing trying to get something like this going.

F450 wrote:
I understand that in Mexico the truckers turn on their left signal to let you know that it is safe to pass. We in the US. ought to start doing that.

I have to agree, left turn signal, to me, means DO NOT PASS I am about to turn left.

ICC flash (Both tail lights and marker lights) might mean OK to pass

But frankly.. I'll make that decision myself.

AND when I do, I will turn on my LEFT turn signal to indicate my intent to change lanes (As by the way will the trucker when he passes the poke-along-us in front of him).

No, if someone in front of you turns on the left turn signal, that means DO NOT pass, UNSAFE to pass, I am moving left.

fred42 wrote:
I seem to remember a similarly dangerous use of turn signals that was a fad decades ago. That was if you were in line of cars and a car in front of you was slowing traffic to turn right or left with its turn signal on, you somehow felt the need to turn on your turn signal to inform drivers behind you about it. The only information they need is your brake lights. For a right turn, this "sympathy signal" on a vehicle that is not turning tells drivers waiting at the turn off point to enter the road to come on out. For a left turn, oncoming traffic would feel free to make their own left in front of you.

The danger in the above situation is the same reason you should never turn on a right turn signal until you have passed all streets or parking lot entrance/exits before the turn you want. Safe drivers would never pull out in front of someone based solely on a signal, but the most important thing a safe driver knows is that not all drivers are safe drivers. Depending on speed limit, my state requires a turn signal 100' or 200' before the turn. I will not follow this law if that distance has other entrances to the road before my turn.

If coming up on an accident or other backup, don't use your signal. Simply turn on your 4way flashers. That warns following drivers that something unusual is happening but doesn't have any specific implication that you will turn or change lanes.

beemerphile1 wrote:

F450 wrote:
I just thought I would try and help someone behind me pass. I have had people behind me follow me for miles and there were no cars coming. I guess you people don't think that way.

The fact that someone is following you does not indicate they want or need to pass.

If you could see an aerial view of the highway, you would see vehicles generally travel in herds. Even if one or two breaks from the herd, they will drive faster until they latch onto another herd and then slow down again.

I swear it is true, crazy, but true human nature. Of all the people in the world, 99% are followers and don't want to lead.

BTW, I think the turn signal idea is terrible.

In the industry they are called platoons. It's not a desire to travel in herds. That would be like saying people like to wait in line ahead of construction zones. It's just that the faster cars stack up behind slower cars that act as bottle necks.

One interesting idea that is more popular in europe but we are starting to try in the USA that shows great promise is hard shoulder running. It is limited to freeways only but at peak times where the paved shoulder is wide enough, the shoulder will be designated an extra lane that traffic can drive on. It has to be used carefully as there are downsides to it but the extra capacity from the added lane can often outweigh those while costing drastically less than widening the freeway.

F450 wrote:
I understand that in Mexico the truckers turn on their left signal to let you know that it is safe to pass. We in the US. ought to start doing that.

Yeah right..:S

You (also) have a very limited "understanding" of Mexican truck drivers..:R

(ROTFL)

.

Veebyes wrote:

tegu69 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
When anyone overtaking pulls up close behind me I assume they are looking to pass. I simply maintain my speed and when it becomes safe for them to make their pass I move slightly to the right (without vacating my lane). This gives them a hint that it is time to make their move and a much improved view of what is coming down the road. The rest is up to them.

I have tried that. Most people just sit there, then make their move too late when they finally figure it out.

My method also. Also get same results far too often. Truckers are much better at understanding what is happening & take advantage of the courtesy. I'll even back off on the speed to help the process & usually get the 'flash' of thanks.

I gave up trying to help car drivers get around me long ago.

A common signal in England & I guess the rest of Europe when wanting to pass is to flash the headlights. Of course this requires drivers to glance in mirrors every so often which detracts from other important things to do while driving like eating, drinking & talking on the phone.

Don't make me feel so OLD!!! This was common practice in the us 40 to 30 years ago when we still had a lot of two lane roads, flash of the high beams, with the left foot, left turn signal and away you went!
What I started early when driving, was driving with my headlights on day or night, easier to be seen. I use to get a lot of oncoming lights flashed at me during those early years!

Hey Pedro,He He He, we got another one!!

the average person in the US doesnt know what a signal is. The proof of that is in how much signals are used.

Another signal on the autobahn in Germany is when a car is trying to pass you in the left lane is for them to turn on their left blinker. If you are also in the left lane and high beams flash several kilometers behind you, it's time to find a place to hide, because they are coming fast. Usually it's a Mercedes, with a BMW or two drafting behind. If you don't comply they have permission to take you into the woods and teach you a few things.

In WA state, flashing your high beams is considered aggressive driving, and you can be ticketed.

tegu69 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
When anyone overtaking pulls up close behind me I assume they are looking to pass. I simply maintain my speed and when it becomes safe for them to make their pass I move slightly to the right (without vacating my lane). This gives them a hint that it is time to make their move and a much improved view of what is coming down the road. The rest is up to them.

I have tried that. Most people just sit there, then make their move too late when they finally figure it out.

My method also. Also get same results far too often. Truckers are much better at understanding what is happening & take advantage of the courtesy. I'll even back off on the speed to help the process & usually get the 'flash' of thanks.

I gave up trying to help car drivers get around me long ago.

A common signal in England & I guess the rest of Europe when wanting to pass is to flash the headlights. Of course this requires drivers to glance in mirrors every so often which detracts from other important things to do while driving like eating, drinking & talking on the phone.