Turn Signals - Do people know they are standard on every vehicle?

[jbm32206]

I'm probably one of few that actually uses my turn signals....doing so was pretty much pounded into my head way back when I was learning how to drive. The lack of use simply shows lack of common courtesy which seems to be the 'norm' for most folks these days. The same goes with the lolly-gagging in the inside lane...the turning in front of you, when you clearly have the right of way...tailgating. The thing is, not only is it just plain rude, these violations aren't enforced. This isn't a slam on JSO, but I see law enforcement committing the same violations.

[BridgeTroll]

these violations aren't enforced. This isn't a slam on JSO, but I see law enforcement committing the same violations.

If you wont slam them... I will.  Have often seen JSO cruisers running reds, improper turns... worse yet... driving, while talking on a cell phone AND playing with the laptop mounted right next to them.  Enforcment does not seem to be much of a priority either.

[Jason]

I agree.  I see officers breaking many minor traffic laws pretty regularly as well.  If they won't be the example, then who will?

The 18 wheelers, however, have my sympathy.  My brother has been a truck driver for quite sometime and has a flawless record.  But that record comes at the expense of simply giving into every idodic whim of the "4 wheelers" running amok on the highways.  When a rig needs to make a move on the highway I almost always give him/her the benefit of the doubt and get out of their way and/or do what I can to help them out a bit.  It keeps everyone a bit safer.

[CMG22]

If you wont slam them... I will.  Have often seen JSO cruisers running reds, improper turns... worse yet... driving, while talking on a cell phone AND playing with the laptop mounted right next to them.  Enforcment does not seem to be much of a priority either.

Oh no doubt!  Many times I have been driving, especially at night, when a JSO car rides my *** trying to get me to speed up, so they can then ticket me.  Seems to happen on Southside a lot.  Every time, I have the urge to slam on my breaks, knowing full well that they will DEFINITELY hit me, and blame it on the puppy that I saw running across the road.  Somebody'd have desk duty for a while, and I'd have a shiny new bumper (unlike my current one...).

[jandar]

Well, until they fix the laws, its hard to enforce lane change violations.

Florida Statue 316.156 states:

(1)  Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2).

(2)  Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds 24 inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds 14 feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle and also to any combination of vehicles.

(3)  A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as either a moving violation for infractions of subsection (1) or as a nonmoving violation for infractions of subsection (2).

Most cars are less than 24 inches from the center of the steering post to the outside left most part of the car. Therefore, turn signals cannot be enforced, (but if you don't use them, you have to use hand signals)

[uptowngirl]

Jason, I agree I always let them come over, I also use my lights to flash and let them know they are cool to come over. My dad used to the big rigs for a while. Hew also has told me how dangerous it is to be too close to a trucker, they are tired and have been on the road for a while and limited site lines. That being said there is really know reason for them to cut into traffic moving 75mph when they are going 55mph... this has been proven in the pile ups that have occured in the recent past.... that really applies to anyone, but especially big rigs as they can do/cause so much more damage and death. They DO NOT own that road, we four wheelers do, WE let THEM use them :-)