Close-call thread (Dash Cam)

[B Gordon]

Scott,
You might be the greatest driver in the world but you are sharing the road with all the other drivers, the majority of which are absolute garbage when it comes to driving skill.
Even those with some skill get distracted by texting or talking on the phone or eating or singing along or wads of other distractions.
Every majority has a minority and every rule has exceptions that normally do nothing more than highlight the normal behavior.

Putting dash cams in all your cars is a great idea as long as nobody ever uses your footage against you.
Ever wonder why new cars come with cameras all over the place but without a dash cam to continuously record the previous gigabyte of drive time?
Police and courts would have a field day with that sort of thing.
Remember to have a reasonable excuse at the ready if things don't go your way and you are involved in a situation.
I like, "That thing has not worked correctly since I put it in and I just haven't tossed it in the trash yet. It has not been hooked up in months. There is no footage available so go away."

As a personal note, I am not what I consider the typical Mustang driver either, even though I drive a newer bright yellow GT.
I drive the speed limit and use my signal and stop at red lights.
Mostly I drive in the slower right lane if it is available.
By and large I piss off the aggressive drivers, particularly those driving with a race track mentality.
Doesn't matter what car I am driving, my style and attention is the same.
I expect others to do stupid stuff and try to be ready for it to happen.
The proper term is probably what would be called driving defensive.
As much as anything else it probably has to do with being almost 60 years old and only being involved in one accident for my entire driving career.

It doesn't matter who is technically right or wrong if you are able to avoid having an accident.
My wife has been involved in over a dozen accidents (none technically or legally her fault) in that same time period simply because she is such a passive driver who expects others to follow the rules of the road.
She is constantly surprised when people pull out in front of her or cut her off in traffic.

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[scottmoyer]

And here in lies the problem. You are making an assumption of when others need to know when you are changing lanes...which is completely ignorant. You are not accounting for someone who (illegally) decides to move over 3 lanes and floor it for whatever reason...or a motorcycle that is driving at triple digits looking to overtake you.

Stop trying to decide when you think other people need to be notified of a lane change and just always use your signals as you should.

And you need to stop with the "holier than thou" approach that you know what's best and nobody else does. I can guarantee that you aren't the best driver on the roads. Again, your whining won't change the way I drive. You just cited two instances where I need to be courteous to two drivers that are breaking the law in disregard to others. My turn signal won't change the fact that the motorcycle is overtaking me at triple digits, because his reaction time won't help avoid a situation. The car swerving 3 lanes and gunning it won't see my turn signal from their original position, so your examples pretty much suck.

Asharus, you're from Long Island. I grew up and learned to drive in NJ. Maybe that's why our driving styles are similar.

 

[millhouse]

And you need to stop with the "holier than thou" approach that you know what's best and nobody else does. I can guarantee that you aren't the best driver on the roads. Again, your whining won't change the way I drive.

Use your turn signal and I'll stop. There are other people on the road besides those that refuse to use their signals.

Not using your turn signals is a complete and total inconsiderate decision and is the number one cause of traffic accidents on a yearly basis.

I'm sorry, but again, it's complete ignorance to think that anyone as a driver knows better than others on the road as to when they do and don't need to see your turn signal.

Am I a perfect driver? Nope, but I do the best that I can to allow myself and others to be as informed as possible as to my intentions, as accident avoidance is my number one concern on my daily commute.

And a motorcycle or car approaching at triple digits ABSOLUTELY could be affected by you not using your signal to change lanes. Again, complete and utter ignorance on your behalf.

 

[Asharus]

I figured you drove somewhere where driving skills are required, and people don’t just drive “by the book”

 

[Trackaholic]

Please use your turn signals. It is so much easier to understand another car’s intention when the driver follows the proper process and indicates their intent.

I also drive in traffic and know that many will purposely accelerate to block, but it is better for all to signal and adjust to those actions.

Also, if you do see someone signal, consider being part of the solution and making space for them, rather than getting upset at their desire to change into “your” lane.

We need to work together out there folks. It’s OK to concede some space to others now and then.

Also, keep those videos coming, love this thread!

-T

 

[millhouse]

I figured you drove somewhere where driving skills are required, and people don’t just drive “by the book”

I've daily driven in Detroit traffic and have to frequent Atlanta. Believe me, I know what traffic is.

This isn't about driving by the book just to be a rule follower. As previously stated, failure to properly use turn signals is typically the leading cause of traffic accidents every year. They are not something to use at your leisure...or when you think others "might" need to see them.

 

[scottmoyer]

We need to just agree to disagree. I WILL NOT be changing my driving habits because you think I should. I am a very defensive driver and have never had a chargeable accident in over 30 years of driving, so.....

You should also be careful when spouting statements as fact. You are wrong when stating that not using a turn signal is the number 1 cause of auto accidents every year as you stated in post 1836 and then again in post 1839. The #1 cause of accidents is due to distracted drivers.

In one study, not using your turn signal was #10, but it was grouped with other issues that are more likely to be the culprit and not the turn signal use itself. It was grouped with people driving the wrong way, turning from the wrong lane/improper turns, and not following the proper street traffic signals. The only places I could find listing turn signal use as the number one cause of accidents were law firm websites. Based on what I've seen during daytime TV, lawyers will say whatever they can to get your business and to sue someone.

 

[Asharus]

I didn’t believe what he said anyway. I take whatever anyone says on the internet with a grain of salt.

 

[millhouse]

We need to just agree to disagree. I WILL NOT be changing my driving habits because you think I should. I am a very defensive driver and have never had a chargeable accident in over 30 years of driving, so.....

You should also be careful when spouting statements as fact. You are wrong when stating that not using a turn signal is the number 1 cause of auto accidents every year as you stated in post 1836 and then again in post 1839. The #1 cause of accidents is due to distracted drivers.

In one study, not using your turn signal was #10, but it was grouped with other issues that are more likely to be the culprit and not the turn signal use itself. It was grouped with people driving the wrong way, turning from the wrong lane/improper turns, and not following the proper street traffic signals. The only places I could find listing turn signal use as the number one cause of accidents were law firm websites. Based on what I've seen during daytime TV, lawyers will say whatever they can to get your business and to sue someone.

If you were a defensive driver, you'd be using your turn signals. Every defensive driving course in the US stresses the use of turn signals. By not using them, you are making more difficult for everyone else around you to determine your next move.

As for turn signals being the number one cause of accidents, it was determined in a comprehensive 2012 ASE study.

https://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/turn-signal-neglect-study/

http://papers.sae.org/2012-01-0261/

The fact that some of you are actually arguing against using turn signals is very disturbing. You are putting your stubborn and lazy behavior above the safety of other drivers.

 

[scottmoyer]

BLAH BLAH BLAH! And you just called us stubborn? I'm done arguing with you because I am wasting way too much time on you. Can we get back on topic with more one handed driving videos that show how accidents really happen on our streets?

Not sure why some feel they need to criticize other's driving abilities when they have never seen them drive or know anything about them. Carry on!

 

[millhouse]

 

[scottmoyer]

Dude. You really need to let it go. I'm thinking Millhouse is the right name for you!!

 

[GT Pony]

I don't like it when someone doesn't use their turn signals when there are cars all around them. They must think everyone around them has frickin' ESP. :doh: ;)

 

[Asharus]

now that the lecturing has ceased for about a day, lets revive it. the video below will display expert turn signal skills by me in the beginning (no) and the red benz driver at about the 2 min mark. it's too bad the video stops right before the stop sign. we can go on for 5 or so pages on how to properly stop at a stop sign with that footage.

[ame]

 

[catchthecarp]

At the start it looked like the SUV was way back in the weeds, no foul. As for the Benz, sorry you got in the wrong lane but no signal, no consideration.

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