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

[Farmer495]

If nothing's coming, why not just let everything by in advance of your left hand turn?

One thing to attempt this on a tractor by itself where practical, but practically suicide to do this towing a load having pull off, possibly stop, then you have merge back in and cross TWO lanes. No way am I driving on the shoulder, no breakdown width paved ones here.

If you "wave" someone past and they do something stupid you could get the blame in a litigation quick environment.

 

[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.