Equinox

I've been running and riding on mostly rural and semi rural roads for 30 years. Over the course of that time, I've encountered many hazards of which I would attempt to alert passing motorists. The vast majority of these hazards are animal related; mostly deer, occasionally dogs. I will usually make an arm motion that would indicate that the driver should be alert and slow down. Sometimes I'll point to where the hazard is. It amazes me that 99% of the time, the drivers absolutely ignore my warning. It happened yesterday. There was a loose dog running loose in the road. The dog wasn't a problem for me, but there was a commercial pick-up truck coming around a curve in the road from the opposite direction. Commercial drivers are generally more cautious. I made a clear signal to "slow down". I swear, I heard his RPMs increase as he went by. I've always been perplexed by this phenomenon. Drivers will either stare at me without making any adjustment in their driving or else they'll completely ignore me. I don't understand it, really.

Chris516

Your intentions are definitely commendable. The problem is. Some drivers don't give a turkey. They could care less about a 'good samaritan' on a bike. Sometimes, It makes me emotionally wish I could carry a four-point buck deer, and whip it out. So they would slow down. Just to avoid a cracked windshield with the deer's hooves right in their face after coming through the windshield.

Equinox

I've tried to warn them about Turkeys, too. LOL.
They can do a lot of damage!

Moe Zhoost

I encountered a mess of drywall screws on the road that probably bounced off a truck. I navigated them fine but made a u-turn to sweep them aside. There was an oncoming car headed right for them so I pointed down to the road, and then held up my hand for him to slow. He stopped (suddenly), put his blinkers on, got out and thanked me. Then we both cleaned them up as other vehicles passed (one driver expressed his opinion about how folks should not block the street).

canklecat

Anything other than a clear open hand wave is likely to be misinterpreted as hostile. I wave at drivers if they wave at me, or clearly acknowledge my presence and don't try to run over me while exiting a parking lot. Other than that I don't attempt any hand signals, sign language or gestures that might invite a motorist to run over me or toss beer cans my direction.

howsteepisit

I'd say the odds are that most motorists have no idea as to why you are waving your arms about. No that they do not care, but they do not understand.

AlmostTrick

Well to be fair, most drivers don't have a turkey to give... but then again, Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

Equinox

I'm not sure you understand. The gestures I'm making could not possibly interpreted as hostile. Putting myself in the drivers place, I would view it as a warning of a potential danger.

Equinox

geez, I don't know. The normal hazard is deer crossing or attempting to cross a country road. We're usually dealing with a single vehicle. I generally wave, point and give an understandable signal to slow down. The most common reaction is to stare at me as if i was an idiot while maintaining their speed.

Chris516

So, They better give a turkey then.

scott967

I've done it for speed cams. Not sure it mattered

scott s.
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2manybikes

They still don't understand. Pointing only might be a little better. They are a little surprised to see a bike probably.
Some drivers will assume you want them to slow down just for you. That probably makes them angry. Do the best you can but don't expect a a high success rate. They also need time to interpret what you mean. If you are going in opposite directions the second or two it takes them to understand what you mean puts them well past you.
The reaction time and speed may be the problem. To identify what you mean is too much time at speed. Search human reaction time and convert feet per second to mph. A lot of people don't understand this. Most cyclists or drivers I talk to don't.

StanSeven

This. Or they think the driver is going over the speed limit.

B. Carfree

No good deed ever goes unpunished.

jfowler85

Why is this surprising?