Topic: Turn signals, important or not?

[azuredesign]

Like most of us here, I've become an expert on judging automobile body english to understand when cars are going to turn with or without turn signal indicators. It's no longer funny to me when I can tell a car is going to turn prior to the driver who signals at the instant before he or she turns. I'm used to what I consider this potentially unsafe and probably, conscious or unconscious, disrespectful behavior. Am I alone in thinking that it's wrong that most folks don't use blinkers effectively?

What really irritated me, and prompted me to write here is that I've been behind a half dozen police cars in the last couple of weeks, and none of these LEOs have used turn signals. With all due respect to an LEOs on this site, WTF???
Where's the leading by example? It would be a joke to be pulled over by someone who is driving/riding less conscientiously, no?

Thanks for letting me know if I'm overreacting or not.

[hondaface75]

Couldnt agree with you more.

[LesterPiglet]

One of my pet hates is no indication.

[70CB750]

I am with you all the way! Yesterday on the way to Yankess game, NY unmarked cruiser used his blue light to get his way in traffic jam.

I respect policemen as much as anybody who was beaten and prosecuted by them - Czechoslovakia not USA - but the rules apply to enforcer first. At least in normal country.

[dave500]

turn signals get treated as optional??also i dont like those new cars with white lenses and an amber globe or led inside,,with the sun on them or at a steep angle you cant see them blink or not!

[ChuckG750f1]

While riding, I find that it helps to regard all other vehicles as unguided missiles, filled with zombies   I prefer large (stock) signals on my bikes and I use hand signals to try to get the zombies to look away from their cell phones!

[dave500]

i like the large stock ones aswell,new drivers here have to display a "P" plate so you know they are a probatioary driver,if i have a car behind with a p plate i hand signal aswell if im turning off,they mostly have all their freinds on board texting one another.

[ChuckG750f1]

Just as a side note Dave500, I've been down under twice in the mid-late 80s.  Spent about 10 days both times for my work.  Melbourne both times and also went up to Brisbane on the second trip.  Even though it was work, I took a day and drove down to the south coast from Melbourne (twelve apostles I think you call it) and spent a day at a park about an hour or so from Brisbane (Bina Bura I think).  Never got comfortable with driving on the other side of the road or the traffic circles though.

[BobbyR]

Just as a side note Dave500, I've been down under twice in the mid-late 80s.  Spent about 10 days both times for my work.  Melbourne both times and also went up to Brisbane on the second trip.  Even though it was work, I took a day and drove down to the south coast from Melbourne (twelve apostles I think you call it) and spent a day at a park about an hour or so from Brisbane (Bina Bura I think).  Never got comfortable with driving on the other side of the road or the traffic circles though.

Those roundabouts you find in Countries that drive on the wrong side of the road are deadly.

[LesterPiglet]

Haha, I've yet to see an accident on a roundabout.

[70CB750]

Speaking of zombies? Did you ever tried to ride a bicycle on the road. I am ready to carry while biking.

[veloracermike]

I ride by bicycle 175-200mi a week and believe me it makes riding a street bike seem like kiddie ride at the park.  People use their cars to intimidate and harrass all the time.  Riding a bike has made me a far better M/C rider though.  My ability to figure out what cagers are going to do is much much better.

[Retro Rocket]

Haha, I've yet to see an accident on a roundabout.

Seen a few nose to tails at roundabouts, but when used properly they leave lights for dead...

[trueblue]

Haha, I've yet to see an accident on a roundabout.

Seen a few nose to tails at roundabouts, but when used properly they leave lights for dead...

The biggest problem is most people don't have the mental capacity to figure out how to use a roundabout, they are complicated things  .  Also have you noticed the use of indicators is inversely proportionate to the retail price of the car.

[LesterPiglet]

 Also have you noticed the use of indicators is inversely proportionate to the retail price of the car.

I was behind a brand new BMW M3 and felt like stopping him and advising him to take the car to the shop to be repaired under warranty as his indicators didn't seem to work at any turns.   

[Old School Honda]

I ride by bicycle 175-200mi a week and believe me it makes riding a street bike seem like kiddie ride at the park.  People use their cars to intimidate and harrass all the time.  Riding a bike has made me a far better M/C rider though.  My ability to figure out what cagers are going to do is much much better.

I couldn't agree more. Been an avid rider of both human powered & non human powered two wheels for several years & enjoy both immensely. But I have more problems with the bicycle then I do with the motorcycle as people don't respect bicycle riders. As a rule I hand signal & use turn signals. But it seems the hand signals get your point across better.

[hondaface75]

Ill add to this, that I dont have blinkers on my bike. By choice. I like how it looks without them, but Im a firm believer in that people dont ever look at these puny little indicators, especially the ones who dont use blinkers themselves. I dont see someone overlooking the fact that my arm is way out doing SOME kinda signaling. Like most smart enough people, I just assume everyone is out to kill me on my bike. Thats the safest route.

[Retro Rocket]

Ill add to this, that I dont have blinkers on my bike. By choice. I like how it looks without them, but Im a firm believer in that people dont ever look at these puny little indicators, especially the ones who dont use blinkers themselves. I dont see someone overlooking the fact that my arm is way out doing SOME kinda signaling. Like most smart enough people, I just assume everyone is out to kill me on my bike. Thats the safest route.

I couldn't disagree more with this statement, Anything that makes you or your intentions more obvious, regardless of how "puny"it may be, is better than nothing at all..

[hondaface75]

You disagree that blinkers are more or equally noticable to other drivers than using full hand signals?

And if you disagree with my lack of blinkers, you should know I always use my hand signals. And in this state (NH) this is completely legal.

[azuredesign]

I used hand signals for many years, and when I took the m/c permit test in the early 70's, it was a mandatory component of the test(MA).

I wasn't concerned about riders using turn signals of any kind when I asked my initial question. I figure if you are going to ride for any length of time and stay in one piece, it makes sense to minimize other folks cutting you off or otherwise causing you harm, by signaling your intent before making a turn. We're a courteous lot by nature and necessity, right?! My question was is it too much to ask for other drivers, and especially LEOs to show us the same respect, if not concern for our safety, in return.

[cookindaddy]

I was behind a brand new BMW M3 and felt like stopping him and advising him to take the car to the shop to be repaired under warranty as his indicators didn't seem to work at any turns.   

Ha! My standard line also. If an older car, I say "just wanted to let you know that your turn signal is not working, you should get it checked". I almost never get to use it though cause you have to catch up with the bastards

[scrapvalue]

I have bikes with and without blinkers.
Never had a problem on either.
Although I do find myself forgeting to turn off my blinker occasionally and that I believe is more dangerous then not having them.
Someone sees your blinker flashing and thinks your going to turn but you aren't, could turn out bad.
The best part of arm signals is, you never forget to turn them off.
Just ride like they don't see you, you will live much longer that way.

[hondaface75]

I have bikes with and without blinkers.
Never had a problem on either.
Although I do find myself forgeting to turn off my blinker occasionally and that I believe is more dangerous then not having them.
Someone sees your blinker flashing and thinks your going to turn but you aren't, could turn out bad.
The best part of arm signals is, you never forget to turn them off.
Just ride like they don't see you, you will live much longer that way.

Another good point for hand signals over blinkers. Ive been guilty of this myself, and when I see other riders going it, it worries me.  The sad part is, I do the hand signal for 'leaving your flasher on' to these riders and they see me and still dont know! I agree with azure, hand signals should be standard practice at practical tests for MC licensing.

Didnt mean to thread jack, I just thought its as important for us to use signals when turning as it is other people sharing the road.

[lostmykeys]

 Dont underestimate how dangerous things can be on a bike.
 I have seen bikes get hit by cars when the bike was waiting at a stop to make a left hand turn.
 When I lived in DFW in the eightys, I was on my way home from work on hwy 183 and all of the sudden traffic came to a standstill.As you know this is bad for an air cooled engine.
 I was in the left lane and glanced to my right to see another biker in the right lane.
 He decides to take the shoulder to get passed the traffic jam.The poor soul didnt look behind to see if anyone else was coming and just jumped to the shoulder.
 A guy on a Honda Goldwing ran into him and they both went over the bridge...it was ugly.
 1.Keep eyes moving
 2.Use you mirrors
 3.Pretend at all times nobody sees you
 4.Keep a safe distance from the cars in front and behind you.
 5.If you have a loved one on the back multiply the above by a factor of ten because your bike will handle worse.

[78 k550]

I only use hand signal. All the time.

Paul