captnjack wrote:
People dive for cover when your turn signals on your mirror come on? That sounds almost magical. Where can I get a pair?
Seriously though, If someone is too distracted to see 50 feet or more of truck trailer combo, what makes you think your mirror signals will do the trick?
We live on a street with a 60kmh (35mph) speed limit and there's a double yellow. Twice in the past year I'v been passed on the left just as I've started to turn into our driveway despite signalling well in advance. Humongous turn signals wouldn't have helped. Some drivers either have a death wish or just shouldn't be allowed to have a drivers licence.
There's some on-ramps around here that are very, very short and you almost need a Ferrari to accelerate up to highway speed. Doesn't help when you have aggressive or impatient drivers behind you. I've also found that many drivers coming up behind you MUST pass you simply because you have an RV and it doesn't matter what speed you're going at or where you are. RV ahead? MUST pass... :M
Distracted driving? BTDT. 15 years ago I was stopped at an intersection on a rural road on a sunny day waiting to turn in a bright orange car with signal on. Guy in a pickup rear-ended me doing about 50mph. I saw him coming up behind me for a mile or two and he went over the center line a number of times. I was lucky not to die. I still vividly remember the rear view mirror standing still (when I last looked in it) and the car being shot forward like a cannon ball. Distracted driver... When I got out he instantly handed me his cell phone (turned on) and asked if I wanted to call someone (no signs of alcohol or other possible contributing factors). 'Course, all he was got penalized for was an increase in insurance premiums for a few years while it's affected me forever. I can't stand it when I see people using cell phones while driving and I think penalties for that should be severe. It's illegal here but it's still quite common. I don't even like adjusting the radio while towing, I focus 100% on the road and driving and let DW do the co-piloting.
At the end of the day, and most importantly when you are towing, use common sense, drive defensively, pay attention to road signs and of course, follow rules of the road. DW will be all over me if I don't signal well in advance. Come to think of it, maybe the back or our TT could do with a big flashing left and right arrow like construction road signs have sometimes.