Magicman710
Silver Member
In the course of the past several weeks I have almost been sideswiped 4 times by vehicles while trying to make a left hand turn off of a paved road. Today was the first time a semi truck tried to do it. I have been traveling with tractors on paved roads for years, but with the acquisition of more places to tend, I'm having to travel on busier highways more often.
The situation is always the same. I have flashers on. Vehicle gets behind me. I turn the left turn signal on 100-200 ft before the turn. When I start slowing down, or when I'm right about to turn left, they pass me. I always make sure to check because otherwise they would hit me. In one instance I a car fly around me after I had started the turn! I had to jerk back into my lane to avoid hitting them.
I think the problem is that people are so concerned about getting a chance to pass me that they no longer even look at or notice the light pattern. They see me slowing down and think "GREAT, a chance to pass!" They don't notice that the lights have gone from just flashing to one side flashing and other side not.
I don't think hand signals would be any good. Me pointing or gesturing to my left would probably entice the drivers to pass me more, with them thinking that I'm saying for them to pass.
I've thought about just not using the flashers and just rely on the SMV emblem(s), that way when the turn signal is put on it'll be apparent to the drivers that are following. Or possibly turning off the flashers for a few seconds before I turn the signal on, so that it grabs attention that the pattern has changed.
Just looking for any pointers or suggestions by folks who may have had or are having the same issues of what I could change or do better.
The situation is always the same. I have flashers on. Vehicle gets behind me. I turn the left turn signal on 100-200 ft before the turn. When I start slowing down, or when I'm right about to turn left, they pass me. I always make sure to check because otherwise they would hit me. In one instance I a car fly around me after I had started the turn! I had to jerk back into my lane to avoid hitting them.
I think the problem is that people are so concerned about getting a chance to pass me that they no longer even look at or notice the light pattern. They see me slowing down and think "GREAT, a chance to pass!" They don't notice that the lights have gone from just flashing to one side flashing and other side not.
I don't think hand signals would be any good. Me pointing or gesturing to my left would probably entice the drivers to pass me more, with them thinking that I'm saying for them to pass.
I've thought about just not using the flashers and just rely on the SMV emblem(s), that way when the turn signal is put on it'll be apparent to the drivers that are following. Or possibly turning off the flashers for a few seconds before I turn the signal on, so that it grabs attention that the pattern has changed.
Just looking for any pointers or suggestions by folks who may have had or are having the same issues of what I could change or do better.