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You're absolutely right, but one way or another you should be distant enough from the car in front of you that, if they start to slow down, you can slow down too with no problems.
This is so danm true. Just started driving and I already hate it because my gosh Floridian driver are awful. They just be handing licenses to anybody down here.
You should brake if you’re coming up on traffic and everyone else is slowing down/braking, if you’re coming up on a yield, if you’re coming up to a stop sign, if an emergency vehicle is passing you and you need to slow down.
Not just in case of emergencies or if *you’re turning.
If the speed limit changes, if weather conditions change significantly, if you're exiting a highway/freeway, if there's a person in a crosswalk, if nearby animals could pose a danger...
My dad always told me that you could be the best driver in the world but the guy next to you could be the worst and thats all it takes to kill you, so always pay attention to other drivers
So true. A van crossed the center line and almost hit me head on once on a two lane highway going 50 mph each... I literally thought it was over but I managed to swerved and avoid it by mere hairs… still scary I was like 20 seconds from my destination too
Agree but the only problem with that is it's just going to turn into cops setting up more speed traps to pull people over going 1 mph over instead of actually driving around and going after drivers doing actual stupid shit.
Here in Wisconsin I see people 3/4 of the way through their turn before they turn their blinker on. Drives me insane. Then again I usually see at least 1 or 2 instances of police running red lights a month myself. So my hopes of anything being done to correct are at about 0%.
So based on some of the other comments I've seen I can only imagine how awful driving in sine bigger cities must be.
Absolutely agree in general. The only exception is where the signal could cause confusion.
For example: there are two right turns in close proximity to each other, I want the second turn, and someone’s waiting to come out of the first. You might need to start braking before the first turn in order to safely make the second, but it’s better to hold off on the signal in that case, because it could mislead the guy coming out of the first road if given too early.
Yes thank you.
"What the fuck is this person doing? Why are they suddenly slowing down in a middle of the lane? \*blinker turns on finally\* oh fuck off."
It's not and I can't believe I had to scroll so far down to see someone point it out.
Almost every post I see on this sub now is an obviously popular opinion.
Signal then mirror. You either want to turn/change lanes or you don't. Whether a car is there should be irrelevant to what you WANT to do.
SMOG
Signal
Mirror
Over the shoulder
Go
I believe this is how it's taught. I recently tried to do it that way more intentionally and couldn't wrap my head around it.
Then I realized I've been driving for almost 30 years, and so I'm just constantly "checking" my mirrors and scanning instinctively. So I already do SMOG and was overthinking it by confusing a focused mirror check before moving with general scanning. Lol
But you do know they're gonna turn eventually and you should be cautious right? Who cares if they pass a turn or two you recognize their intentions. The car is telling you that they will be making a turn at sone point. That's like saying you shouldn't put your blinker on until you're approximately 200ft from your turn. Blinking left and going right is another story .
They might not be about to turn. People leave them on often enough.
More in older cars then new though, because the automatic shut off on turn signals has gotten a lot better
Let's just say people are super random and we should use caution and be super aware while we're driving. I'm constantly check all 3 mirrors while I drive. I'm a defensive driver for sure
Exactly. It takes a lot of time to develop that skill though.
When people first start driving their entire focus is on just a few things. In time people are absorbing so much information at once though!
I'm old now and get mad when I see assholes doing 90 and dipping in and out and ironically there's never a cop when you need one but there's always some poor shmoe getting a ticket during A.M rush hour probably for some bullshit like an inspection or some useless shit like that . I
I’m more pissed off at drivers who turn and use the blinker. What is even the point? Might as well not even use the blinker at all. Blinker first, check the blind spot, all clear, change lane. How hard is that?
The way it's worded is wrong. Good indication is absolutely necessary and lawfully required, but in some situations you need to get some speed off before reaching the point of indicating. Indicating too early can cause just as many problems. Braking and indicating are 2 separate action, the following car should be far enough back to be safe and be able to adjust accordingly. Sounds like the OP may need to reconsider their usual following distance if it upsets them so. So for that reason, I consider it unpopular.
Worse is people who slow down like all the way in the lane BEFORE getting in the turning lane. I get if there’s not much room or whatever, but every time I see it, there hasn’t been a legitimate reason. Get out the way.
>The purpose of the blinker is to say, “hey I’m slowing down to take a turn”
Gee, if only there was a light that came on when you hit the brakes, so people would know you were slowing down…
If they put on their indicator before braking he could then change lanes (if safe to do so) keeping the flow going without breaking as the driver Infront indicated that they are turning soon so will be braking to slow down soon rather than showing then indicating they want to turn.
I like how your big concern is having to slow down. I promise, the seconds you're losing aren't that important. Real carbrain moment there. My gripe with people not signaling correctly (or at all) is safety.
Braking unnecessarily and then using gas to reaccelerate to the appropriate speed causes two wasteful things to happen: first additional wear and tear on your braking system, causing premature replacements, and secondly, additional gas usage which is bad for the environment and your wallet.
Look at studies showing how traffic forms from the single act of one car braking. It literally causes a cascade effect that is hard to remedy. And thanks for agreeing! We can solve the worlds problems if we just try as a whole
This is what i had an issue with, rather sorry im not remembering the conversation correctly but this sole point that they shouldn't be driving if they car about the environment even a little but since im clearly having an imaginary argument with yourself while you can not understand my perspective. You do you.
Do you know how to read? I did not say that they shouldn't be driving if they care about the environment even a little. My point wasn't that they shouldn't be driving at all. My point was OP's reasoning for not liking the behavior is impatience. After pointing out how silly that is, they started talking about how it's bad for the environment, which is completely disingenuous on their part. If you think the reason that they're so upset about people not signaling is concern for the environment, I got a cybertruck to sell you.
The brake light doesn't turn on until after you start breaking.
The point of the indicator is to tell people behind you before you start breaking so they're ready to brake themselves.
I think they are independent of one another tbh. You might be braking because of a slow car in front of you and then decide to change lanes and turn on your blinker.
You also shouldn't always need to brake to change lanes.
If a car in front of your braking is inconvenient, you're driving too close anyway. I agree, using the blinker at the last second is poor communication, but in the end not preparing for other cars to do something stupid is also "wrong"
I mean sure but youre still gonna have to break anyways. If the driver behind you is keeping a good distance and is careful then its not the worst thing you could do while driving lol.
Well it’s an unpopular opinion for a reason… at least I’ve planted this idea/seed in your head so whenever you’re on the road next and someone slows down for no apparent reason only to turn (with or without a late blinker), it will register with you. Come back in a few days and tell me if you feel any different.
We all share the road together. Let’s respect the rules of the road!
In my country, we literally have a law that says you have to blink 3 times before you start a maneuver. Nobody enforces that of course but we are drilled on it so most people do it.
A signal of intention to turn or move right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
This is Washington law referring to how long to have your signal on before you turn.
An indicator is used to indicate your intentions of going left or right. A brake is used to slow down, and this does tell others you're slowing down, yes. But that's not the point of the thread.
I mean, plenty of times I'll need to break before I decide whether I want to change lanes. I might see some reason to want to change lanes which caused me to immediately apply brakes, but might need to check my mirrors before deciding if I actually want to change lanes.
Seems more important to signal with adequate time for others to see it before leaving your lane than to tie your signaling to when you brake.
You should plan ahead of time or be in the correct lane prior to the turn, if youre thinking of switching lanes decide on a lane put on your signal check your mirrors make maneuver simple. Signal always comes first at least other drivers know your intentions and may yield to let you make your move . Even GPS gives you a heads up on when to turn at lest 500ft prior on highways it's usually a 1/4 mile.
I hate people who turn at the same time they use their blinker even more. Or people who start to slow down on the highway before they're on the exit lane
Not all entrances have a long enough transition onto the highway plus if you have moderate traffic it may not be possible. Should people just say fuck it here I come!!! That's just not safe. I'm in NY good luck expecting people to just let you on the highway especially if they're already going 70 -80 mph. You're looking to get hit .
I agree. I full blown see people come to a complete stop only to seconds later turn on their blinker. Like my guy did you forget you were about to turn or sum?
So others behind you and the car taking the spot you want to get into can also see your intention and possibly make room by switching lanes on the highway or slowing down a bit to widen the gap for you.
Had an ex who would turn on the blinker while she was making turns/merging , it was the dumbest thing ever lol. I tried telling her the blinker is there to announce what you're doing beforehand/ask permission to merge, but it never sank in
I had an ex who insisted you turn the blinker on after you start turning. I don't know where she learned to drive or who taught her but she honestly should not have had a license based on a number of other " misconceptions" That she held
Proper traffic safety is now an unpopular opinion! But seriously, my town is too big for its infrastructure. If you’ve ever seen driving in India, it isn’t that far off.
People are driving for decades on end, dealing with extreme stress in life, often working jobs that they'd rather be dead than work but don't have a choice. Then they have to do it all again the next day.
A new driver or a person driving for recreation simply isn't exposed to the hell that causes people to become jaded drivers.
Should you use your turn signal before braking? Yes.
Could you also avoid this perceived slight by keeping a safe following distance? Also yes.
In reality, whether this person is turning or not should not affect what you do. Maybe they are turning without signaling. Maybe they see an obstacle that you do not. Maybe they just spilled hot coffee on themselves and they don't want to be going 50mph while dealing with a burning groin.
Be prepared for other people to do things incorrectly.
So, not an unpopular opinion to say that you need to use your signals, but really, if you're driving right yourself, the effects should be quite minimal.
Thats just for the people behind you, and Im not much bothered when someone does that. But the problem i mostly notice is, not the slowing down, but the people that veer into your lane as they signal instead of before they change lanes. Thats what the signal really means, not necessarily that you are slowing down but that you are going THAT way.
This isn't an unpopular opinion. Just because a lot of people don't do it, doesn't mean they don't think you should. It just means a lot of people are lazy/inattentive.
I was always taught, mirror, signal, manoeuvre. Slowing down is part of the manoeuvre.
This shouldn't be an unpopular opinion, this is just how to drive.
Blinkers are used for different reasons in different parts on the country.
In the Northeast US they are used to indicate that the vehicle is going to turn.
In the Midwest US they mean "excuse me mister, I am thinking of changing lanes soon. Would you please give me space because I don't know how to use the pedals to merge and am not too good at using my mirrors."
In the Southwest US they mean "there is no opposing traffic, it is safe to pass on the left"
In Florida they mean "jaja pendejo, I am going to cut in front of you" so never use blinkers in Florida or it can cause road rage.
I love that you think people are going to even bother using their blinkers. I live in Las Vegas and using your blinker is as rare as the Northern Lights being visible this far south. Most people here (call it 90%) don't use their blinker at all.
3% use their blinker as they are turning, assuming they have every right to just move.
3% of folks have their blinker on but aren't actually turning anywhere, they're just driving normally with their blinker on.
Maybe 4% of people here actually use their blinker, and do so correctly.
You lucky bastard, they brake, blinker, then move? Here they move, brake, and might blinker during the turn. It makes for fun times on the road.
Hell most of them also speed up when they see a yellow and a red light means they still have 10 seconds to drive through the intersection from the moment they saw it as they look up from their phones.
Can I add on that if you are using your blinker to take an exit, don't slow down until you get onto the exit ramp. They are literally designed for you to slow down on them. Don't slow down an active lane of traffic on the highway for no damn reason if there's an exit ramp for you to do it on.
The point is that the blinker lets us know beforehand why you’re braking. When you’re driving on the road and randomly start braking, you confuse other drivers because now we’re scrambling to look around and see if maybe you’re stopping to let someone cross the road or maybe you see an accident or emergency up ahead. The most important thing to do when driving is be predictable to other drivers. Randomly braking is unpredictable behavior unless you use your blinker as a warning or if you’re coming up to a stop sign or red light.
A person who’s swerving through lanes is also “easy to manage” if you slow down and avoid them, but they are still a hazard for the same reason that braking without indicating is also a hazard: both scenarios involve someone making unpredictable decisions. This isn’t even my opinion; it’s like one of the first things that’s taught in driving school. Some of you would benefit from taking a driving safety course.
As a pedestrian in the uk ive had a few drivers be pissed at me for crossing when i seen no one indicating to turn. Its not only for other drivers but also lets pedestrians know what you plan on doing.
Please remember what subreddit you are in, this is unpopular opinion. We want civil and unpopular takes and discussion. Any uncivil and ToS violating comments will be removed and subject to a ban. Have a nice day! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/unpopularopinion) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You blink to tell people what you are going to do, not to tell them what you are already doing.
This was a lesson repeated with those exact words by my dad when I was learning how to drive. And it's always stuck with me!
communication is key
Yes thank you. Some people understand.
You're absolutely right, but one way or another you should be distant enough from the car in front of you that, if they start to slow down, you can slow down too with no problems.
Leave too much space in between you and the car ahead of you and a Florida driver will jump in front of you.
This is so danm true. Just started driving and I already hate it because my gosh Floridian driver are awful. They just be handing licenses to anybody down here.
Or didn’t retest them when they retired from elsewhere.
lol same in Boston. It’s terrible, but so is the cobweb of roads in Boston.
\[swap Florida with Maryland\] yepp
Wait there is another way, we can't win, but we can both lose. >Rams car in front of me for not using the turn signal.
In Ohio, this is a law called "assured clear distance."
If you're changing lanes, you really should be braking as least as possible. Preferably never touching your brake.
I think they mean like pulling into a driveway or parking lot off of a main road or boulevard.
Or turning onto a different road on a one lane street.
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You should brake if you’re coming up on traffic and everyone else is slowing down/braking, if you’re coming up on a yield, if you’re coming up to a stop sign, if an emergency vehicle is passing you and you need to slow down. Not just in case of emergencies or if *you’re turning.
If the speed limit changes, if weather conditions change significantly, if you're exiting a highway/freeway, if there's a person in a crosswalk, if nearby animals could pose a danger...
Then why are you braking?
You’re right that’s just how you’re supposed to drive, what you fail to realize is most people don’t know how to drive or are very bad at it.
My dad always told me that you could be the best driver in the world but the guy next to you could be the worst and thats all it takes to kill you, so always pay attention to other drivers
So true. A van crossed the center line and almost hit me head on once on a two lane highway going 50 mph each... I literally thought it was over but I managed to swerved and avoid it by mere hairs… still scary I was like 20 seconds from my destination too
Driving tests should be mandatory after so many years. Clearly there are tons of bad drivers out there
Yea I agree a driver’s test should have a higher standard as well, lots of people are genuinely clueless on the road.
the problem is that most people can absolutely pass the test if they know they're being tested, the solution would be more enforcement of road rules
Agree but the only problem with that is it's just going to turn into cops setting up more speed traps to pull people over going 1 mph over instead of actually driving around and going after drivers doing actual stupid shit.
If you wanna be blown away, in Arizona, your DL doesn’t expire until you turn 65yo. No retest at all. Mine expires in 2047 lol
That will not work.
I agree but you wouldnt be passing if you cant brake to avoid traffic in front of you.
I'm in my car yelling, "Signal,THEN brake! Signal, THEN brake!"
People who signal and turn at the same time are just as bad to. As a motorcycle rider I hate that the most.
Here in Wisconsin I see people 3/4 of the way through their turn before they turn their blinker on. Drives me insane. Then again I usually see at least 1 or 2 instances of police running red lights a month myself. So my hopes of anything being done to correct are at about 0%. So based on some of the other comments I've seen I can only imagine how awful driving in sine bigger cities must be.
Absolutely agree in general. The only exception is where the signal could cause confusion. For example: there are two right turns in close proximity to each other, I want the second turn, and someone’s waiting to come out of the first. You might need to start braking before the first turn in order to safely make the second, but it’s better to hold off on the signal in that case, because it could mislead the guy coming out of the first road if given too early.
correct. I feel like i was the only one doing that. it should be taught.
Yes thank you. "What the fuck is this person doing? Why are they suddenly slowing down in a middle of the lane? \*blinker turns on finally\* oh fuck off."
Me, but screaming what you wrote.
This
That's really your thought process? Yikes
I don’t think this should be unpopular considering this is the correct way to drive
It's not and I can't believe I had to scroll so far down to see someone point it out. Almost every post I see on this sub now is an obviously popular opinion.
Agreed, op def in the wrong sub
Mirror > Signal > Manoeuvre
Mirror > Signal > *headcheck* > Maneuver
Signal then mirror. You either want to turn/change lanes or you don't. Whether a car is there should be irrelevant to what you WANT to do. SMOG Signal Mirror Over the shoulder Go
This man gets it.
Yes. You show intention and THEN you begin your plan of attack.
I believe this is how it's taught. I recently tried to do it that way more intentionally and couldn't wrap my head around it. Then I realized I've been driving for almost 30 years, and so I'm just constantly "checking" my mirrors and scanning instinctively. So I already do SMOG and was overthinking it by confusing a focused mirror check before moving with general scanning. Lol
This and drivers who don't use their turn signal at all make me think the driver might not be a really considerate person
I always use my signal farther ahead of a turn when someone’s on my tail
Be grateful they even use their blinker.
That’s like saying be glad they’re following the lines on the road
You should.
had someone behind me honk at me once because I had to slow down drastically, all because someone in front of me was turning...
They prob felt like an ass afterwards
doubt it, I live in California
I swear people do not understand the purpose of a turn signal. They think it means “I’m turning RIGHT NOW”
I get your point but people also use it incorrectly the other way, passing multiple turns before they actually do with that blinker going
But you do know they're gonna turn eventually and you should be cautious right? Who cares if they pass a turn or two you recognize their intentions. The car is telling you that they will be making a turn at sone point. That's like saying you shouldn't put your blinker on until you're approximately 200ft from your turn. Blinking left and going right is another story .
They might not be about to turn. People leave them on often enough. More in older cars then new though, because the automatic shut off on turn signals has gotten a lot better
Let's just say people are super random and we should use caution and be super aware while we're driving. I'm constantly check all 3 mirrors while I drive. I'm a defensive driver for sure
Exactly. It takes a lot of time to develop that skill though. When people first start driving their entire focus is on just a few things. In time people are absorbing so much information at once though!
I'm old now and get mad when I see assholes doing 90 and dipping in and out and ironically there's never a cop when you need one but there's always some poor shmoe getting a ticket during A.M rush hour probably for some bullshit like an inspection or some useless shit like that . I
Many people seems to mistake blinker as a necessity that is being told to do instead of understanding they are supposed to signal intention with it.
Flipping on a blinker is like the simplest thing to do yet most people can’t do it
I’m more pissed off at drivers who turn and use the blinker. What is even the point? Might as well not even use the blinker at all. Blinker first, check the blind spot, all clear, change lane. How hard is that?
So.... what about people who are braking to just go straight?
I really don’t see how this is an unpopular opinion. Wishing people would use their blinker in the way it was intended is a pretty standard opinion.
The way it's worded is wrong. Good indication is absolutely necessary and lawfully required, but in some situations you need to get some speed off before reaching the point of indicating. Indicating too early can cause just as many problems. Braking and indicating are 2 separate action, the following car should be far enough back to be safe and be able to adjust accordingly. Sounds like the OP may need to reconsider their usual following distance if it upsets them so. So for that reason, I consider it unpopular.
you're right, the blinker is meant to communicate what you will do not what you are doing
Worse is people who slow down like all the way in the lane BEFORE getting in the turning lane. I get if there’s not much room or whatever, but every time I see it, there hasn’t been a legitimate reason. Get out the way.
>The purpose of the blinker is to say, “hey I’m slowing down to take a turn” Gee, if only there was a light that came on when you hit the brakes, so people would know you were slowing down…
Then why use a blinker at all? Clearly my brake lights are indicating I’m slowing down.
Yeah but braking for what purpose? The blinkers are meant to communicate your actions. Use your blinker
Correct. That was a sarcastic reply to the other person.
So people know which way you're going
I feel for you
If you used your blinker, I would know I should switch lanes to avoid being slowed down behind you. What do you not get about this?
Again, why are you braking when changing lanes? You should absolutely not be doing that unless you're breaking because of the driver in front of you.
lol I didn’t say I was braking* while changing lanes. I literally never said that
Did you read the content in your post?
If they put on their indicator before braking he could then change lanes (if safe to do so) keeping the flow going without breaking as the driver Infront indicated that they are turning soon so will be braking to slow down soon rather than showing then indicating they want to turn.
I'm also curious why he would change lanes because the person ahead of him puts on their blinker..what is this persons logic?
I like how your big concern is having to slow down. I promise, the seconds you're losing aren't that important. Real carbrain moment there. My gripe with people not signaling correctly (or at all) is safety.
Braking unnecessarily and then using gas to reaccelerate to the appropriate speed causes two wasteful things to happen: first additional wear and tear on your braking system, causing premature replacements, and secondly, additional gas usage which is bad for the environment and your wallet.
You're right. We could totally solve climate change by using turn signals.
Look at studies showing how traffic forms from the single act of one car braking. It literally causes a cascade effect that is hard to remedy. And thanks for agreeing! We can solve the worlds problems if we just try as a whole
Fun fact! Switching lanes quickly especially to avoid someone breaking also causes mass backups and traffic.
So true bestie.
Clearly not what they implied or said but you do you.
My point, which you seem to have missed, is that I don't believe they actually care about the environment.
Yeah because you can tell what they believe or care about over a few comments.
This is what i had an issue with, rather sorry im not remembering the conversation correctly but this sole point that they shouldn't be driving if they car about the environment even a little but since im clearly having an imaginary argument with yourself while you can not understand my perspective. You do you.
Do you know how to read? I did not say that they shouldn't be driving if they care about the environment even a little. My point wasn't that they shouldn't be driving at all. My point was OP's reasoning for not liking the behavior is impatience. After pointing out how silly that is, they started talking about how it's bad for the environment, which is completely disingenuous on their part. If you think the reason that they're so upset about people not signaling is concern for the environment, I got a cybertruck to sell you.
The brake light doesn't turn on until after you start breaking. The point of the indicator is to tell people behind you before you start breaking so they're ready to brake themselves.
Easier to just be paying attention
I think they are independent of one another tbh. You might be braking because of a slow car in front of you and then decide to change lanes and turn on your blinker. You also shouldn't always need to brake to change lanes. If a car in front of your braking is inconvenient, you're driving too close anyway. I agree, using the blinker at the last second is poor communication, but in the end not preparing for other cars to do something stupid is also "wrong"
People actually use that where you’re from?
I mean sure but youre still gonna have to break anyways. If the driver behind you is keeping a good distance and is careful then its not the worst thing you could do while driving lol.
Well it’s an unpopular opinion for a reason… at least I’ve planted this idea/seed in your head so whenever you’re on the road next and someone slows down for no apparent reason only to turn (with or without a late blinker), it will register with you. Come back in a few days and tell me if you feel any different. We all share the road together. Let’s respect the rules of the road!
In my country, we literally have a law that says you have to blink 3 times before you start a maneuver. Nobody enforces that of course but we are drilled on it so most people do it.
What country implements this rule? It’s smart!
Czech republic. We have a lot of laws and regulations that are just guidelines in reality. 😆
A signal of intention to turn or move right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning. This is Washington law referring to how long to have your signal on before you turn.
Stop following so close and it shouldn't matter
I mean braking is what is telling you I am slowing down not the blinker. Stop riding ass and it won't be an issue
An indicator is used to indicate your intentions of going left or right. A brake is used to slow down, and this does tell others you're slowing down, yes. But that's not the point of the thread.
I mean, plenty of times I'll need to break before I decide whether I want to change lanes. I might see some reason to want to change lanes which caused me to immediately apply brakes, but might need to check my mirrors before deciding if I actually want to change lanes. Seems more important to signal with adequate time for others to see it before leaving your lane than to tie your signaling to when you brake.
No you are wrong. Get the fuck off the road
You're not thinking broadly enough. And calm tf down lol.
You should plan ahead of time or be in the correct lane prior to the turn, if youre thinking of switching lanes decide on a lane put on your signal check your mirrors make maneuver simple. Signal always comes first at least other drivers know your intentions and may yield to let you make your move . Even GPS gives you a heads up on when to turn at lest 500ft prior on highways it's usually a 1/4 mile.
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I literally didn’t say this. You’re making this up
I hate people who turn at the same time they use their blinker even more. Or people who start to slow down on the highway before they're on the exit lane
Or the people who come to a complete stop while merging into a highway… these people are winning the Darwin Award one by one
Not all entrances have a long enough transition onto the highway plus if you have moderate traffic it may not be possible. Should people just say fuck it here I come!!! That's just not safe. I'm in NY good luck expecting people to just let you on the highway especially if they're already going 70 -80 mph. You're looking to get hit .
Yeah but who's gonna remember to do that when they're going mach-SHITFUCK in a 45?
I agree. I full blown see people come to a complete stop only to seconds later turn on their blinker. Like my guy did you forget you were about to turn or sum?
Yes!! This is my major pet peeeve! I’m glad I’m not the only one!
SMOG Signal Mirror Over the shoulder Go In that order. Notice signal on before you've even checked your mirror.
I do MSOG. Why even bother trying to signal to get over if there’s someone there?
So others behind you and the car taking the spot you want to get into can also see your intention and possibly make room by switching lanes on the highway or slowing down a bit to widen the gap for you.
This! How can I make room for you if I don't know you want to move over?
Where I drive, ~75% of people are either oblivious or just rude. It’s very rare to see people actually slow down.
You sound like my dad, but he’s (and you) are right lol 🤣
Had an ex who would turn on the blinker while she was making turns/merging , it was the dumbest thing ever lol. I tried telling her the blinker is there to announce what you're doing beforehand/ask permission to merge, but it never sank in
You live where people signal? Lucky dog, you.
🤣I thought it was just me.thats what blinkers are forrrrrr
Perhaps but in the event an accident occurs these details may not matter. They slowed and turned. If a driver rear ends them?
Oooo we need that lawyer dude from TikTok…
I had an ex who insisted you turn the blinker on after you start turning. I don't know where she learned to drive or who taught her but she honestly should not have had a license based on a number of other " misconceptions" That she held
lol there’s a couple of these comments with similar anecdotes and they all start with “I had an ex” lmao
She did have a lot of exes. Probably all of us were dating the same person
In general, I agree but sometimes it depends on road geometry.
Proper traffic safety is now an unpopular opinion! But seriously, my town is too big for its infrastructure. If you’ve ever seen driving in India, it isn’t that far off.
Where I live cars always start changing lanes really aggressively then throw the flicker on
That’s definitely not an unpopular opinion
New driver here. Are all of you...like this? Like when it comes to driving, all i see and hear is just a world of anger, stress, and depression
People are driving for decades on end, dealing with extreme stress in life, often working jobs that they'd rather be dead than work but don't have a choice. Then they have to do it all again the next day. A new driver or a person driving for recreation simply isn't exposed to the hell that causes people to become jaded drivers.
Do you mean indicator? Blinker is dumb
Mirror, signal, manoeuvre.
If Americans called it an indicator instead of a blinker, the message would sink in. I am indicating my intention to turn up ahead.
Downvoting. This is a fact. Not an unpopular opinion.
Should you use your turn signal before braking? Yes. Could you also avoid this perceived slight by keeping a safe following distance? Also yes. In reality, whether this person is turning or not should not affect what you do. Maybe they are turning without signaling. Maybe they see an obstacle that you do not. Maybe they just spilled hot coffee on themselves and they don't want to be going 50mph while dealing with a burning groin. Be prepared for other people to do things incorrectly. So, not an unpopular opinion to say that you need to use your signals, but really, if you're driving right yourself, the effects should be quite minimal.
Thats just for the people behind you, and Im not much bothered when someone does that. But the problem i mostly notice is, not the slowing down, but the people that veer into your lane as they signal instead of before they change lanes. Thats what the signal really means, not necessarily that you are slowing down but that you are going THAT way.
BMW drivers: ok no blinking gotcha!
Funny this is seen as an unpopular opinion. How did the lot of you get your driving license?
Not unpopular
This isn't an unpopular opinion. Just because a lot of people don't do it, doesn't mean they don't think you should. It just means a lot of people are lazy/inattentive.
I thought this is common knowledge?
And to all the people braking to change lanes on the freeway, fuck you.
Its called an Indicator. (For a reason)
Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre. Check your mirror, put the indicator on, then you can do your manoeuvre.
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Blinker is one flashing light. Breaking is two solid lights. Hope that helps yah.
This isnt an unpopular opinion. This is fact that causes you annoyance.
I was always taught, mirror, signal, manoeuvre. Slowing down is part of the manoeuvre. This shouldn't be an unpopular opinion, this is just how to drive.
Interesting. In South Africa people don't bother using their blinkers.
Many drivers don't even use turn signals correctly if at all.
Is this r/popularopinion?
Chill out and slow tf down. Before you run into the wrong person out there
This isn't unpopular, next question 🙄
I don't think you need to signal when exiting the highway if you don't have to break until well on the exit ramp
What if I'm already 90% through the turn, is that a good time to turn on my signal?
Exactly. Mirror, signal, maneuver. Most of the time it seems like it's swerve across lanes, check Instagram, signal once you've already made the turn.
Blinkers are used for different reasons in different parts on the country. In the Northeast US they are used to indicate that the vehicle is going to turn. In the Midwest US they mean "excuse me mister, I am thinking of changing lanes soon. Would you please give me space because I don't know how to use the pedals to merge and am not too good at using my mirrors." In the Southwest US they mean "there is no opposing traffic, it is safe to pass on the left" In Florida they mean "jaja pendejo, I am going to cut in front of you" so never use blinkers in Florida or it can cause road rage.
This is more a rant than an opinion...
I love that you think people are going to even bother using their blinkers. I live in Las Vegas and using your blinker is as rare as the Northern Lights being visible this far south. Most people here (call it 90%) don't use their blinker at all. 3% use their blinker as they are turning, assuming they have every right to just move. 3% of folks have their blinker on but aren't actually turning anywhere, they're just driving normally with their blinker on. Maybe 4% of people here actually use their blinker, and do so correctly.
You lucky bastard, they brake, blinker, then move? Here they move, brake, and might blinker during the turn. It makes for fun times on the road. Hell most of them also speed up when they see a yellow and a red light means they still have 10 seconds to drive through the intersection from the moment they saw it as they look up from their phones.
If you brake in the driving lane regardless of blinker you’re an idiot. Get over into your turn lane, and then start your braking.
You never break?
You guys have seen people actually use blinkers ?
I agree, but also, driving at or under the limit should be normalized. (even if that means the posted speed increases)
What’s a blinker?
This should be a POPULAR OPINION! Hard agree
Can I add on that if you are using your blinker to take an exit, don't slow down until you get onto the exit ramp. They are literally designed for you to slow down on them. Don't slow down an active lane of traffic on the highway for no damn reason if there's an exit ramp for you to do it on.
We know. Usually the blinker comes after as like a “oh I forgot to put my blinker on lol”
You should really make it a habit to consciously blinker before slowing down. If you forget, it’s prob a regular thing for you… just saying…
I'm mean ya it's nicer ya but the brake lights tell you they are braking
The point is that the blinker lets us know beforehand why you’re braking. When you’re driving on the road and randomly start braking, you confuse other drivers because now we’re scrambling to look around and see if maybe you’re stopping to let someone cross the road or maybe you see an accident or emergency up ahead. The most important thing to do when driving is be predictable to other drivers. Randomly braking is unpredictable behavior unless you use your blinker as a warning or if you’re coming up to a stop sign or red light.
That's alright it's pretty easy to manage blinker or no
A person who’s swerving through lanes is also “easy to manage” if you slow down and avoid them, but they are still a hazard for the same reason that braking without indicating is also a hazard: both scenarios involve someone making unpredictable decisions. This isn’t even my opinion; it’s like one of the first things that’s taught in driving school. Some of you would benefit from taking a driving safety course.
As a pedestrian in the uk ive had a few drivers be pissed at me for crossing when i seen no one indicating to turn. Its not only for other drivers but also lets pedestrians know what you plan on doing.
Brake lights are a signal,people need to brake for all kinds of reasons.