I Donīt know how it is for you guys in other countrys, but here in Sweden over fifty percent of the car drivers does not use the blinkers to show where to make a turn off. Thatīs really a shame.

Anders

Yeah, I'd settle for them just announcing when they plan to run red lights around here. That would make things much easier for everyone.

Gee-in some parts of my city, you hardly ever see a signal used...

well, German drivers in general use signals much more than US drivers... although there is considerable variance within the US with from my experience, Texas having about the lowest usage of blinkers -- Dallas is just agrressive and blinkers give the other guy the opportunity to "cut you off" and other Texans "just do what they want"...

also, mainly since it's taught and TESTED in the driver training, German drivers are very good at looking for cyclists when making a right turn and thus prventing the "right-hook". the US should
a) actually have driver training and testing and (most states like Texas have mandatory driver training only for under 18 and many states (again Texas) have eliminated the driver tests if you have taken driver training to save costs)
b) include bike-related aspects in this training.

just as a side note: tailgating is in general worse in Germany than in the US, but German drivers are better trained and more severely punished for most driving infractions -- more frequent and higher fines and real threar of loss or probation of license for a few violations - something that is "unfair" in the US as everyone except drunk drivers NEEDS a car...

Blinkers - what annoys me the most is drivers not using them. The main (only?) reason I prefer riding along with cars rather than other cyclists and pedestrians (I hate those) is because cars are more predictible. When drivers don't use their blinkers, a great part of that predictibility goes out the window.

Here, drivers are not allowed to turn right on red... yet. It'll change soon and it's quite a big debate around here.

Police don't even use their blinkers around here. That is a shame, they should be the example I think. I understand if they are tracking someone they might not use them but I see them neglect them all the time. One time at night when I hit a bump in the company truck (I think he thought I flashed him with my brights) He shined his spotlight right in my eyes. I was travelling 45 mph at the time. Anyway, I will quit compaining about the bad side of the police for now. It just bugs me that some guys like that are paid for what they do in that uniform.

Seems like itīs a common problem among motorists.

i have found over the years that i can usually anticipate when someone will turn even though they don't use a signal. i personally think this is an invaluable skill, and it has saved my hide, both on a bike and a motorcycle, many, many times.

Speaking from similar experience, I believe this is a survival skill most good motorcyclists develop. I also have saved myself countless times whether on a bike, motorcycle or even while driving a (gasp) car.

Plus, it's a neat trick that impresses other people in the vehicle when you accurately predict that the white Lexus is going to cut into your lane in front of you.

Turn signals? what are those, they don't use them here, maybe they should just make them an option, because people don't use them anyway. What really makes me mad is when they keep ther signal on while they drive( the ones that do use them) and I always end up behind them, trying to figure out what they are going to do next.

Itīs also annoying when waiting for a car to pass by before crossing the road and when the car is just to pass you it turns to right or left making your wait unnecessary. This would not happen if the driver were to use the blinker in good time before turning, but they donīt even use them at all.

What's worse is when they use the signals and don't turn.

Agree

Eh.... While on my bike, I never take for granted what a car is signalling to be their true intention... or that they even know it's on.

Watching the driver himself or how she's operating the car will say a lot. I think you all know what I'm talking about: if you watch a little, you can just tell when a driver is confused or lost or just not paying attention to what's going on around him.... or if she has noticed you on your bike.

And then there's the eye contact thing. Until I get that, I just have to assume the driver hasn't seen me. I know it looks a little weird to people, that as I come near a car I will often duck my head down and stare into a car just to make sure that I have made eye contact with the driver. But so what, it's my life on the line....

I'm told that my 'method' or style of riding is hypersensitive and some have suggested that I would enjoy my rides more if I just relaxed a little more. My style is hypersensitive: I really try to know what's going on around me, if someone is coming up behind me, exactly where cars and pedestrians and other cyclists are around me at all times. That also why I don't ride with others: I don't want to be distracted by conversation or have to worry about even more moving objects in close proximity than I need to. But it also seems to keep me alive and out of accidents, too.

Agreed. It's just that the level of incompetence around here gets frustrating at times - even though I know I should expect it by now.

I hear ya. I'm not so sure I would characterize it as incompetence. I think it's just selfishness, simply not paying attention to anything going on around you and not caring to bother to pay attention.

By definition, traffic accidents happen because a traffic law is violated or a rule regarding right-of-way is disregarded. Since most people involved in accidents don't intentionally do either, it's because of inattention. That's it, just people not being attentive to what they're doing.

And that goes for motorists and cyclists.

I have trouble differentiating between negligence and incompetence.