Turn signal woes (or how not to get hit by traffic)

[aczlan]

I've done a lot of road travel and haulage with tractor, rural roads and in small town. Lots of traffic and intersections as well.

I'll wager I have more miles on a farm tractor on a highway than most here, day and night, a lot of it done pulling loaded wagons that you can not see behind.

1) Signal well in advance of turn
2) Start crowding center line as you signal
3) Shoulder check and if BOTH lanes are clear put your left hand wheels JUST over the centerline.
4) Start to slow down to make the turn (watching for oncoming traffic)
5) Shoulder check AGAIN
6) If both lanes clear, turn left.


Secret is partially blocking the oncoming lane to make the drivers behind pay attention!

Twice I've done exactly that and had somebody who was a half-mile back when I crossed the yellow line floor it and blow by me with both wheels over the white line in the oncoming lane because by the time he or she was passing the tractor, I was halfway into the oncoming lane making my left turn as signaled and he or she was trying to pass my tractor doing 10 miles an hour in their car at 70 miles an hour.
One of them was far enough over that her left wheels were in the gravel on the shoulder of the oncoming lane while she flipped me off through the sun roof (or it might have been the open convertible top on her car) with her right hand, held her phone to her ear with her left hand and steered the car with their knees (she was driving a shiny BMW as I recall).

Aaron Z

 

[kthompson]

I was hit this pass October while making left hand turn with turn signal and flashers on in no passing zone and was charged. Patrol said even in no passing zone the driver making the left turn had the responsibility to verify it was safe.

Since then I use AGRIMAN's method, slowly taking the lane.

 

[Farmer495]

Twice I've done exactly that and had somebody who was a half-mile back when I crossed the yellow line floor it and blow by me with both wheels over the white line in the oncoming lane because by the time he or she was passing the tractor, I was halfway into the oncoming lane making my left turn as signaled and he or she was trying to pass my tractor doing 10 miles an hour in their car at 70 miles an hour.
One of them was far enough over that her left wheels were in the gravel on the shoulder of the oncoming lane while she flipped me off through the sun roof (or it might have been the open convertible top on her car) with her right hand, held her phone to her ear with her left hand and steered the car with their knees (she was driving a shiny BMW as I recall).

Aaron Z

Nothing fixes stupid, only mitigates chance for stupid to occur.

 

[PILOON]

(she was driving a shiny BMW as I recall).

Hey that's normal, all roads belong to BMW's with rag tops first. I also observed that the black ones are the boldest.
In my area they interpret 'no parking' to read 'reserved for BMW'.

At COSCO one zoomed in and captured a slot that I had patiently waited to occupy.
" Driver said she would only be 2 mins" and I replied that her actions were why some cars got 'keyed' as she strutted away.

You would never find me driving one.

 

[SteveM70]

I'm beginning to realize my input is of no use here. Not because the things I suggest doesn't work for me in my area but because some of you are up against drivers that are a special kind of crazy

 

[aeblank]

I was hit this pass October while making left hand turn with turn signal and flashers on in no passing zone and was charged. Patrol said even in no passing zone the driver making the left turn had the responsibility to verify it was safe.

Since then I use AGRIMAN's method, slowly taking the lane.

Your fault the guy behind you hit you? That is pure insanity.

Did the cop's BROTHER (had to have been) do much damage?

 

[RjCorazza]

Your fault the guy behind you hit you? That is pure insanity.

Did the cop's BROTHER (had to have been) do much damage?

That does seem hard to swallow. Not doubting it happened though. There was a discussion here some years ago about operating tractors over the right side white line partially on the shoulder. It is possible to be charged if a vehicle hits the tractor because it could be alleged that the tractor was entering the roadway, or not on the road at all.

 

[milkman]

I'm not sure what they're called but I remember reading about Harley motorcycle drivers that install a kit to pulse the tail lights and headlights to best get the attention of drivers.

I think those are for Goldwings and BMW, Harley's use loud pipes to save lives.:laughing:

 

[arizona98tj]

I was hit this pass October while making left hand turn with turn signal and flashers on in no passing zone and was charged. Patrol said even in no passing zone the driver making the left turn had the responsibility to verify it was safe.

"Officer, I looked over my shoulder and the vehicle was well behind showing no indication of passing me. How was I supposed to know he was going to accelerate and recklessly attempt to pass me after I returned my vision forward to ensure I was not turning into any oncoming traffic?"

How could one even remotely be able to determine the intentions of another driver following you? That is indeed the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time. Remind me not to drive any tractors in South Carolina.

 

[paulfun9]

I cant understand why anyone would think a turn signal is a sign to pass from any type of vehicle!? Maybe anyone who uses this as a signal to pass and anyone who thinks it should be a signal to pass should undergo some real driving instruction by a professional as well understand that no matter what you think the resulting accident would be considered your fault.

 

[paulfun9]

I apparently did a poor job explaining what happens to me so I'll try it again. I turn on the tractor's left turn signal....slow the tractor down, and then turn left into my driveway. While doing all that, a car from behind catches up to me and passes me doing 55 MPH (or more), ignoring the No Passing Zone sign, the solid yellow line on the highway, and the uphill grade of the highway. I've not held up traffic at all....quite the opposite, they simply blow by breaking multiple laws while doing so while I attempt to execute a left turn into my driveway. There is essentially no shoulder as the road bed is quite elevated and the inner bank of the ditch is very steep....so as someone suggested....pulling off to the right until traffic can go by.....that isn't going to happen.

I think I have a very similar problem coming in from the main road directly. If I was to have to come that way often I would most likely try the signals with arrows located very separate from the flashers As it is I have a dirt road that I can use that takes me off the highway at a clearly marked intersection and so far I haven't had any problems with being passed there.

 

[PILOON]

Maybe the logic is something like 'get there first' or 'be there B4 I leave'.

Having to slow down his/her speed would delay his/her arrival or and just must absolutely be in front.
Those type drivers are the same that pass each and every car on the road no matter what speed the traffic is flowing.

Mainly fits Honda Civics and BMW's.

 

[bigtiller]

I don't trust any taillight on any kind of vehicle. I always wait to see what the person in front does. That's because I was in a collision in my 20's. The car in front had her right turn signal on so I passed. Soon after I learned she had a brake light out and she was pumping the breaks.

Heck, I don't even believe the one headlight coming at me after dark is a motorcycle until it goes by.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread.

It's a problem, for sure. There is no standard for slow moving vehicles. So why should anyone look at your flashing lights and try and decipher them? You could have four ways on with a bulb burned out.

You need a message sign that says, WARNING, I am turning LEFT in one hundred yards! Then repeated in SPANISH and possibly Italian.

I hate not being able to see behind my large dump trailer, and if I had to be on the roads often, I would seriously think about a wireless rear view camera.

 

[Howling]

The company across the street lets me use their dock to receive freight. Today was waiting to cross street with pallet of boxes. Car stopped to let me cross. Car behind him tried to zoom around him on the right. did a panic stop when saw the tractor. Given how much the car front end dropped when braking he was going much faster then the posted 30 MPH.

I have almost hit a couple cars that passed me (double yellow line) because I paused to let pedestrian get by my driveway before I turned left in to it.

 

[dnw64]

Either way.... I assume they are going to be reckless.

If you want to Drive and Live, this position (defensive driving) is about the best one you can take.

 

[dnw64]

So, they violated the...solid yellow line

Maybe your State is different. In Vermont, and may others, it is not illegal to pass on solid yellow lines.

I've often times thought it would be safer if I ran without the flashers and used the turns signals only during a turn.

I would take it a half step further.

Once someone has slowed to your speed, turn your flashers off (repeat as necessary if they turn off or pass you). THEN, when you're ready to make your turn, put your directional signal on.

 

[dnw64]

My son was going down the highway driving one of the big self propelled sprayers which takes up about 3/4 of the road. It has enough ground clearance that you can just about walk underneath it without hit your head. A guy came up behide him on a motorcycle and obviously noticed a chance to do something dumb and drove completely underneath the spray. He shot the front side like a rocket and never looked back.

Sometimes the line between Brave and Foolhardy is hard to define. This was NOT one of those times.

 

[dnw64]

I cant understand why anyone would think a turn signal is a sign to pass from any type of vehicle!?