# Drivers are going crazy//When someone signals, you let them change lanes!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 26, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339 "2011-07-26T01:21:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/61 "2011-07-26T20:55:37Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > I remember seeing it done 50 years ago and quite often since. It’s still widely practiced by truckers and a lot of people who travel truck shipping lanes (especially at night) > > It was probably more prevalent in the days when two lane highways were the norm for truck routes. … The passing trucker sometimes fires back a quick “thank you” by flashing his running lights. I learned how to drive on rural two-lane roads used as truck routes in the Northeast. I have seen high-beams used this way and responded to appropriately pretty much ONLY by truckers or cars interacting with trucks–normal people in cars don’t see a flash of the high beams as anything other than some form of admonishment. 90% of the time when I see a car flash its high-beams at another car, the message is “hey, jackass, turn off your brights when there’s oncoming traffic!” A further 9% of the time it’s “hey, jackass, I perceive you to be in my way in some manner.” Maybe 1% of the time it’s “I see and acknowledge what you intend, you are clear to maneuver.” ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/62 "2011-07-26T21:29:47Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Sure is. Everyone who drives more cautiously than you is an idiot and obstruction. Everyone who drives more recklessly than you is a maniac. Both are dangers. You could, at least, give credit to George Carlin. ---
**Author:** ![AlienVessels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@AlienVessels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlienVessels)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/63 "2011-07-26T21:40:56Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > And, again, given the distance between us, I could have been going 25 or 30 and still shifted lanes without ever getting close to this guy. It was not conceivable that I would have looked for a signal from this guy to let me know it was safe to change lanes. The details aren’t adding up. What is that other driver driving that in the few seconds for you to signal, abort, and figure out what the flashing is they can close a gap big enough to land an airplane in? If you’re both going 40-50ish, it’s hard to imagine them closing that gap in a few seconds without grossly speeding. I’ve certainly seen that signal in similar light traffic conditions here in LA. The conditions don’t merit it usually, but the number of drivers that suck warrant the extra courtesy, especially when you have plenty of time and distance to allow for it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/64 "2011-07-26T21:45:42Z")
> [@AlienVessels](#): > > The details aren’t adding up. What is that other driver driving that in the few seconds for you to signal, abort, and figure out what the flashing is they can close a gap big enough to land an airplane in? If you’re both going 40-50ish, it’s hard to imagine them closing that gap in a few seconds without grossly speeding. I never said he closed the gap in a few seconds. He _did_ grossly speed after flashing, but I still could have changed lanes in front of him if I wanted to. I just didn’t think it was a wise option, given his behavior. That’s my point. There was absolutely no reason for him to signal me. He was too damn far away for it to make a difference to him unless he was a nutjob. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/65 "2011-07-26T21:49:21Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > That’s my point. There was absolutely no reason for him to signal me. He was too damn far away for it to make a difference to him unless he was a nutjob. Well, his definition of too damn far and yours may differ. But I will say if he got THAT pissed because you DIDN’T change lanes then he is a hot headed ass. ---
**Author:** ![SweetLucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@SweetLucy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetLucy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/66 "2011-07-27T03:31:04Z")
People use turn signals where you live? 😃 must be nice, at least that way you get at least some warning about what other drivers are going to do ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/67 "2011-07-27T05:29:37Z")
> [@SweetLucy](#): > > People use turn signals where you live? 😃 must be nice, at least that way you get at least some warning about what other drivers are going to do You don’t really need a warning - just assume they’ll do the stupidest, least predictable thing, and you won’t often be wrong. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/68 "2011-07-27T09:59:34Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > There were veritable acres of space between me and the next car back in the lane to my left – at least 20 car lengths’ worth. So I signaled, and immediately, the guy begins flashing his high beams at me – “Don’t you dare even try changing lanes – I’m fucking coming through!” I knew this guy was trouble, so I stayed put, and just to make sure, this guy kicked it up to 80 m.p.h. and flew past me, only to have to shove on his brakes just after passing me. > > What the fucking fuck? > > A couple of weeks ago, I was in morning rush hour, on a road that switches back and forth from a controlled-access highway to a surface street with intersections and red lights. I make a left turn onto the road in the left lane and signal to get into the right. Again, a car wayyyy back, 15-20 car lengths. Fucking joker HONKS when he sees me signal. > > This time, there’s too much room and traffic is way too slow for there to be any danger. The guy can’t be going more than 25 m.p.h. from a dead stop at a traffic light anyway. After sussing out the situation I say fuck it and signal my lane change again and start moving. Guy lets out a looooong BLOW as he kicks it up. He has to fucking break the speed limit to get to where I am, make an-ill tempered slam into the left lane just as he reaches me. AND THEN HE HAS TO STOP AT THE RED LIGHT AHEAD OF US. ISTM that when you have that much room, just signal and change lanes simultaneously, rather than waiting to see what the person 20 car lengths back thinks about it. With that much room, it isn’t an ask, because there’s no one remotely close enough to need permission from. It’s informational so that anyone nearby who’s looking for an open lane knows to head to the one you’re vacating rather than the one you’re moving into. The main issue here seems to be less one of appropriate use of and response to lane change signaling, but rather one of drivers who use their two-ton chunks of metal to take out their aggressions by making the roads less safe for those around them. There’s nothing to be done about these assholes; whatever you do has a chance to make them mad. Just drive normally and don’t get in pissing matches with them - not that you were doing that, but just stating a general rule. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/69 "2011-07-27T13:13:26Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > I have never once seen anyone get upset over merging into a football field-sized gap. The other day I turned onto a multi-lane city road (50 mph speed limit, but the light had just turned green so everyone was moving slowly). I needed to get over into the right lane quickly to turn into an upcoming business entrance, so I signaled, glanced over (no one close in the right lane) and started merging, only to hear loud honking. I look over again and there’s a car several car lengths back, both of us going maybe 15-20 mph. I complete my merge, glancing in the rear-view mirror to see what testosterone-fueled idiot is upset with me, and see that the driver is a white-haired old woman who had to be at least 75. Man, she was _pissed_. 🙂 So yes, the OP is right that there are drivers with a huge sense of entitlement who think others are mere props who exist for their convenience. This includes drivers who lack basic courtesy _and_ heedless mergers. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/70 "2011-07-27T20:20:14Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > The other day I turned onto a multi-lane city road (50 mph speed limit, but the light had just turned green so everyone was moving slowly). I needed to get over into the right lane quickly to turn into an upcoming business entrance, so I signaled, glanced over (no one close in the right lane) and started merging, only to hear loud honking. I look over again and there’s a car several car lengths back, both of us going maybe 15-20 mph. I complete my merge, glancing in the rear-view mirror to see what testosterone-fueled idiot is upset with me, and see that the driver is a white-haired old woman who had to be at least 75. > > Man, she was _pissed_. 🙂 I bet she was one of those drivers, very common around here, who think a football sized gap is absolutely required in front of them, even when moving at 10 mph in heavy traffic. You can tell them because they slam on their brakes when someone merges into the gigantic gap about 5 car lengths in front of them. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/71 "2011-07-27T21:24:17Z")
We were driving along in the right lane of a fast-ish road one day when there was a young lady coming up the merge lane to merge into our lane. The law here is move over or make a space, but there was plenty of room in front of us for someone at speed to merge in, so we did nothing. She refused to get into the space in front of us, then gesticulated wildly and angrily as we drove past her. My husband and I turned to each other with identical “WFT?” expressions on our faces - what was she all het up about? If she can’t merge properly, how is that OUR fault? What the hell are they teaching kids about merging these days - that every car on the road has to get out of your way? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/72 "2011-12-16T18:43:13Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > That seems a little slow to merge on to most highways, doesn’t it? I remembered this thread and I checked. The speed limit on that stretch of highway is 40 m.p.h. So if anything I was speeding a bit. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/73 "2011-12-16T19:06:51Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Exactly. Signaling is a warning, not a request. I like this! Here in Minneapolis area, it is not uncommon for people to speed up and cut you off if you signal. So, people have evolved to turning on the signal AS you are changing lanes. It is so bad here that if they see you looking over your shoulder they will speed up to cut you off. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/74 "2011-12-16T19:41:45Z")
We were on Canal Road in DC one afternoon and signaled to continue onto M instead of being forced onto Whitehurst. Of course, the bitch off our left quarter didn’t want us in _her_ lane so she sped up. However, the driver behind her let us in. Then we took the next right and got on Key Bridge. Meanwile, Ms. Bitch was stuck at a light; we waved at her as we passed. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/75 "2011-12-16T19:45:33Z")
I do think I’m missing a gene or something sometimes. I just completely don’t understand driving-as-competition. All I want to do is get to where I’m going in the fastest-within-safety-standards time without ending up injured or ticketed. I have no interest in defending some sort of roving territory in the lane I’m in. I don’t consider someone passing me to be denigrating my masculinity. I cede the right lane when possible when I approach an on-ramp. The motivation behind cutting people off, driving aggressively, defending territory…it’s opaque to me. I just don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/76 "2011-12-16T19:55:40Z")
I say fuck it. Don’t signal. You see a spot, move in. Signaling only encourages the d-bags to speed up. I’ve taken to not: look - signal - drive But more like: look - sig-drive! ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/77 "2011-12-16T19:59:19Z")
> [@thirdwarning](#): > > But if you let them in, they’ll be ahead of you. That’s the point of the whole game, isn’t it, to be ahead of the other guy? Well sometimes its just about making sure that the other guys misses his offramp. > [@D\_Odds](#): > > There is always a few ‘privileged’ individuals who feel that they shouldn’t have to wait on the queue, and will ride the third lane and line jump. I will not let them in, no matter how much they try to nose in front of me. Yeah I hate those fuckers, except when its me driving in a new area and I don’t know that I have to get in the right lane two miles before the exit. > [@Alessan](#): > > Exactly. Signaling is a warning, not a request. People who have philosophies about driving scare me a little bit > [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > I wonder if driving is a little bit like intelligence when it comes to self-evaluation. People will almost always over-estimate their intelligence. I’ll be it’s the same with driving skill. > > Similarly, dumb people are always the first to talk about how dumb other people are. Maybe bad drivers are the first to complain about other’s driving skills. Not directed at OP, just making an observation. Its like people who get bored a lot. They’re usually boring people. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/78 "2011-12-16T20:01:31Z")
> [@BlinkingDuck](#): > > I like this! > > Here in Minneapolis area, it is not uncommon for people to speed up and cut you off if you signal. So, people have evolved to turning on the signal AS you are changing lanes. > > It is so bad here that if they see you looking over your shoulder they will speed up to cut you off. > [@Kinthalis](#): > > I say fuck it. Don’t signal. > > You see a spot, move in. > > Signaling only encourages the d-bags to speed up. > > I’ve taken to not: > > look - signal - drive > > But more like: > > look - sig-drive! An enemy forewarned is an enemy forearmed. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/79 "2011-12-16T21:27:17Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > And, again, given the distance between us, I could have been going 25 or 30 and still shifted lanes without ever getting close to this guy. So why didn’t you switch? Car more than 200 feet behind you is no impediment to your lane change. Even if he mats it, it will take him many seconds to even catch up to you. A 30 mph difference in relative speed (which is a very large difference to US drivers) would only have him gaining 44 feet per second on you. Even at that rate he would need 4 or 5 seconds to catch up to you given the distances involved. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339/80 "2011-12-16T23:30:59Z")
> [@BlinkingDuck](#): > > I like this! > > Here in Minneapolis area, it is not uncommon for people to speed up and cut you off if you signal. So, people have evolved to turning on the signal AS you are changing lanes. > > It is so bad here that if they see you looking over your shoulder they will speed up to cut you off. People do that around here in intersections. Which pisses me off when I want to turn left, am waiting for them to go straight through the intersection, and then discover that they are also turning left so I could have gone immediately. They seem to think it is useful to signal not to alert anyone to their intentions but because it is some kind of ritual which must be performed sometime around a turn. In other words, they are nitwits. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-are-going-crazy-when-someone-signals-you-let-them-change-lanes/590339.md?page=5)