Safer not to signal right turns?

[fholt]

I wouldn't have thought so, but I had an experience on my way to work this week that made me wonder. I was on a narrow 2 lane road (which I take for about 1/4 mile), approaching a right turn where I turn to go about 100 yards over to the main road. I have to take the lane for this stretch, and had several cars pass me properly, but just after I signaled to go right I had a JAM go into the left lane to go around me, and then turn right into the left lane of the destination road while I was turning - I yelled at him but couldn't even see inside due to his illegally dark tinted windows. (If I'd have had something to throw I might well have done it)

I can assume (perhaps wrongly) that he wouldn't have pulled this if I hadn't signalled, but it made me wonder. In the absence of traffic ahead which might need to know, might it be best to just make your right without letting the JAM's behind know?

[chipcom]

What makes you think he wouldn't of pulled the same bonehead stunt had you not signalled?

[bragi]

I would think that the situation may have become more dangerous had you not signaled. The driver saw your intentions and behaved like a jerk, but at least he knew ahead of time what you were going to do. (BTW, what's a JAM? I get the general idea, based on your story, but don't really know...)

[donnamb]

I suspect this guy would have been a jerk no matter what. If this kind of thing happened to you all the time, there might be something to you not signalling. It doesn't sound like this is the case.

[Dogbait]

I always signal. It lets the sensible drivers know what you're doing... not much you can do about the others except to stay out of the way.

[bmclaughlin807]

(BTW, what's a JAM? I get the general idea, based on your story, but don't really know...)

J.A.M = Jack A** Motorist

[AndrewP]

There was nothing the driver did to put you in any danger, since he went over into the left hand lane in both roads. What's bothering you?

[The Human Car]

I had a similar thought the other day as the op when a oncoming motorist decide to pull into the sane road I was turning into at the same time I was.

[oilfreeandhappy]

There was nothing the driver did to put you in any danger, since he went over into the left hand lane in both roads. What's bothering you?
This entered my mind too. Unless I misunderstand the situation. You turned right, and then tried to take the left lane on the new road? Was his right turn illegal (from the center lane)? If not, you should have signalled Left to take the lane.

[slowandsteady]

Not just a jerk, but that was illegal. Pretty sure you can't pass someone while turning at an intersection.

[fholt]

This entered my mind too. Unless I misunderstand the situation. You turned right, and then tried to take the left lane on the new road? Was his right turn illegal (from the center lane)? If not, you should have signalled Left to take the lane.

No - not to beat a dead horse, but I'm on a narrow 2 lane rd, turning onto a narrow 2 lane rd, and this guy went from the "oncoming traffic" lane of the road we were on to the "oncoming traffic" lane of the road to the right. I was center in the lane in the first place, it being a narrow "single file" kind of road. I noticed a cop hidden in the bushes at this intersection yesterday while riding in to work. Perhaps Karma will prevail eventually.

[AndrewP]

The driver made an illegal turn (from wrong direction lane to wrong direction lane), but that didnt put you in any danger, only himself and oncoming traffic.

[fholt]

The driver made an illegal turn (from wrong direction lane to wrong direction lane), but that didnt put you in any danger, only himself and oncoming traffic.

OK - so you've made that post twice. I don't understand your insistence, and disagree with your premise, but it seems you are looking for a reply.

I suppose if one were willing to take it on faith that he'll STAY on the wrong side of the road, then sure, he's not going to hit me while he's in the wrong lane. Likewise, if you want to take on faith his judgement about being sure I was going to turn (regardless if I signalled or not or he thought I signalled or not) then the "wide-ass right hook" wouldn't be a concern either.

You might be willing to make those assumptions, but I'm not. I'm not willing to give somebody who would pull a move like this that benefit of the doubt. I figure that every time somebody's doing something stupid in my immediate vicinity, it's affecting both of our safety. I know darn well he will swerve back into MY lane rather than take a headon with an oncoming traffic.

[slowandsteady]

The driver made an illegal turn (from wrong direction lane to wrong direction lane), but that didnt put you in any danger, only himself and oncoming traffic.


Except when he hits the oncoming traffic and the whole three ton mess of glass and metal gets thrusted into the cyclist........or he sees the oncoming traffic and his impending demise and chooses to swerve back into the proper lane sparing his life but taking the life of the cyclist. Either scenario ain't lookin good for the cyclist.

[skanking biker]

How do you "signal" a right. As a rid in boy scouts I was taught to do the left arm at 90 degrees thing----I find that confuses motorists----i just point which way I am turning with my right or left arm & hand.

[fholt]

How do you "signal" a right. As a rid in boy scouts I was taught to do the left arm at 90 degrees thing----I find that confuses motorists----i just point which way I am turning with my right or left arm & hand.

We agree, knowing the average motorist here ain't going to understand the bent left elbow signal, I simply point with my right arm.

[LittleBigMan]

Safer not to signal right turns?
Not sure, but there are times when a signal seems to prompt a motorist to cut in front of me in order to get there first. That doesn't mean I won't signal, though.