Home › Forums › Open Discussion › NEVER trust a blinker
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
April 4, 2012 at 1:46 am #602759
sbreParticipantToday I witnessed not one, but 2 accidents caused by the combination of an errant blinker and the driver of another car who trusted what they were seeing.
Coincidentally both incidents occurred on California Ave, both times a car was waiting on a cross street to turn onto Calif. when an approaching vehicle (from the left) had a blinker working, so the driver of the waiting vehicle proceeded to pull into the first cars lane of travel (who has the right of way).
Fortunately, in both accidents no one was hurt in the slightest.
When you see a blinker in action there is only ONE thing you know for sure; the light bulb works!!!! (the cars’ bulb that is, the drivers’ bulb should be in question though)
Be patient and be careful my brothers and sisters.
April 4, 2012 at 2:25 am #753767
SmittyParticipantMy issue with blinkers is people not using them at red lights. For example, heading south on 35th at Fauntleroy. If in the left lane and you plan on turning left toward the bridge then USE YOUR BLINKER before you get into the intersection. That way, I can move to the right lane and not be stuck behind you and miss an entire cycle.
I agree with you on situations as described above.
April 4, 2012 at 3:23 am #753768
tom kelleyParticipantWhat was I thinking? I thought the title of this post was a reference to Nancy Pelosi.
April 4, 2012 at 6:53 am #753769
kootchmanMemberMe too!
April 4, 2012 at 12:02 pm #753770
sbreParticipantThe ‘Nancy Pelosi’ thing is lost on me, please explain.
April 4, 2012 at 1:24 pm #753771
SmittyParticipantShe just literally blinks a lot is what he meant (I think).
Which means she lies a lot or is an alien lizard. :~)
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1627077/dick_cheney_vs_nancy_pelosi_blinking_contest/
April 4, 2012 at 3:27 pm #753772
tom kelleyParticipantThe rererence to Nancy Pelosi was the media reaction to her demeanor at one of President Obama’s State of the Union addresses. As speaker of the house she was highly visible during the speach and seemed to be blinking incessantly prompting a media frenzy of speculation and late night humor.
April 4, 2012 at 4:22 pm #753773
WSratsinacageMemberTotally agree Smitty with the blinker thing. It seems people generally don’t care or are not aware that people are behind them!
.
What bugs me even more are people who try to turn left where the sign next to the light clearly states no left turn during certain hours like at 35th/Avalon and California/Alaska. People are honking at them because they are choking up the lane and they are raising their hands like what did I do.
.
Read the signs, follow the law!
April 4, 2012 at 6:24 pm #753774
tom kelleyParticipantWhen the Mayor viseted WS for a citizens forum about traffic a few months ago he sat at our table to get ideas. He listened to my suggestion that local media, as a condition of licensing, was required to carry public service announcements at no charge. I thought it might be helpful if the media would air tips on driving that would make traffic flow more efficiently. When he asked for an example I point out that it is common that a driver at a red light will turn on his left turn signal after the light turns green trapping the cars behind him. He asked what should the driver have done. I said that the turn signal should have been used a half block prior to arriving at the intersection thus allowing the cars following to adjust,moving to the right lane if turning or leaving enough room to go around the first car when the light turns green. The idea was roundly endorsed at the table and seems to have died there.
If you could run a PSA in the media to improve our driving habits what would it be?
April 4, 2012 at 7:33 pm #753775
WSratsinacageMemberThanks for trying Tom. I think it even says in the driver handbook that a blinker should be used approximately 1/2 block before turning. You, me, and many others wish it was put into practice.
.
But to answer your question, my media tip would be to alert drivers to the law about where it is legal to park. Visibility/safety issues are caused by other drivers when, for example, they park within 5 feet of a drive way or too close to an intersection (stop sign, fire hydrant, etc). There seems to be a lot of laziness or sense of entitlement on a lot of drivers these days. I wish they would look for a legal parking spot, park a block away where there is plentiful street parking etc vs parking illegally because it’s closer and they’ll just be there for a minute .. think of how many other drivers you may inconvenice/put in danger.
.
With WS growing and growing, this community stands of good chance of being harmonious if we all play by the rules.
April 4, 2012 at 11:28 pm #753776
tom kelleyParticipantGood point about parking near intersections. Along those lines, it was a concern expressed at the traffic meeting that homeowners that live at intersections are often remiss at keeping the shrubs they’ve planted in the parking strip trimmed so as not to obstruct the view of oncoming traffic. Or is it on coming?
April 4, 2012 at 11:43 pm #753777
WSratsinacageMemberShrubs is a great point! .. I know of some accidents that probably happened because homeowners let their parking strip vegetation grow above the limit (I think it is 2 feet) thus blocking the view. Sadly, I reported one address and the street use dept said they no longer have the budget to respond to such cases.
April 4, 2012 at 11:56 pm #753778
redblackParticipanttom: good point about media licensing and PSA’s, although i think that would be an FCC thing.
i think it would be more appropriate for insurance companies to offer reminders of traffic laws – like keeping right except to pass – and safe driving tips, because more safe drivers means fewer crashes and less payout for them.
good point about putting on the directional before the light turns green, too. the obvious follow-up is that you’re supposed to pull halfway into the intersection – with wheels straight – while waiting to turn. this gives cars behind you enough room to go around you. if the light turns yellow – or even red – you have the right and obligation to make your turn to clear the intersection.
and the left-turning car behind you does not.
April 5, 2012 at 3:00 am #753779
tom kelleyParticipantHow about stopping on an on ramp?
April 5, 2012 at 1:28 pm #753780
redblackParticipantwhat if there’s a “one car per green” light? :)
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.