Turn signals

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by Twinkietamer, Mar 20, 2010.

  1. Twinkietamer

    Twinkietamer Bobtail Member

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    Mar 8, 2010
    Arnold, MO
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    A long while ago I remember reading on a trucking site (I think) that someone was complaining about how truckers would often put their turn signal on while the person was right next to them and when they speed up to get out of their way, the trucker doesn't change lanes and just turns off their signals. Someone responded that this is frequently done when a car just hangs out right next to the truck because that's not exactly the smartest place to be and it's the truckers way of saying "Yeah, you should not be driving right next to me."

    Is this something that you have ever done? Do truckers actually do that? I've never had it happen to me, but I don't just hang out next to trucks. My car is so small I could probably slide right underneath one without too many problems :biggrin_25519:
     
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  3. brinkj23

    brinkj23 "Asphalt Cowboy"

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    You answered your own question, we'll do it to get the car thats just hanging next to the trailer to get the heck outta there.
     
  4. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    I have never done it and don't really see the point, if someone is traveling next to you so what? In a lot of driving situations on the freeway/highway there will always be someone next to you so why let it get under your skin
     
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  5. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Meadville, PA
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    I only do it if I need to get over into that lane, and the driver beside me won't move. Of course, you're supposed to use your turn signals to signal lane change anyway.
     
  6. sydsdriver

    sydsdriver Medium Load Member

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    Dec 19, 2009
    In the truck
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    Part of any drivers responsibility is to drive defensively. Part of driving defensively is to maintain a safe following distance and to plan and maintain an escape route. If a car has decided to hang out indefinitely beside you, especially your trailer, then that driver has taken away part of your safety by eliminating that direction as an escape route. This can often be resolved by a slight speed change. But, if a turn signal flash can encourage the lingering driver to move on that will make the situation safer for everyone.
     
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  7. brinkj23

    brinkj23 "Asphalt Cowboy"

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    Never said it got under my skin, of course I never did it when I was in a big city and lots of traffic. But when you're rolling along in the middle of nowhere and a car pops out starts passing you then lets off the gas and sits next to me for more than a couple minutes then ill throw the signal on to wake them up. Im doing it for my protection and theres, what if I blew a tire and that gator blew up and went through there windshield??
     
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  8. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    So you turn on your blinker to get car #1 to get out of your safe area then turn it off. Then you do the same to car #2. Then car #3 goes to pass and you turn on you blinker but he/she keep on going because they see that you didnt really "mean to" move over before but you move over anyway because they wont yield to your blinker, so who would be in the wrong there
     
  9. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    then I guess they better get out the window cleaner and start scrubbing. If you are out in the middle of nowhere with one car beside you and nothing/no one else around then you shouldnt have to worry about your escape route
     
  10. brinkj23

    brinkj23 "Asphalt Cowboy"

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    Really?? Honestly?? What if a deer jumped out, what if I lost a steer and it pulled to that lane, theres always a what if even if you're in the middle of nowhere. Doesnt matter what I say or how I explain it you wont understand the reason I and some others do this. You're thought process isnt on defensive driving or protecting your butt or others lives. Get out the window cleaner and start scrubbing? Seriously? It isnt gonna dirty the windshield its gonna smash it an cause a wreck possibly injuring or killing someone, when a couple blinks of the blinker will get them out of there.
     
  11. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    Well I can assure you cowboy that you are wrong about me protecting myself and others. The cleaner comment was made in a light hearted fashion and on that note, vinegar and water seems to work well. There are always a lot of what if's and it's good that you are thinking that way. But to me its not a big deal if someone is riding next to my trailer or not. If a deer runs out in front of you then you run into it and report it as a deer strike. If you loose a steer you keep it in your lane. I understand why some of you choose to do that but it's not for me, eventually the vehicle will move over more than likely but I choose not to let stuff like that worry me too much.
     
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