It's my wish that Fresno police would turn some of their speed-enforcement strategies to enforcing the law requiring turn signals to be used when making turns on city streets. It's a concept that most Fresno drivers have yet to grasp.
I'm not the only one who would like to see drivers use their signals. Here's a letter from Jeff Stewart of Fresno on the subject.
"Why is it so hard to use the blinker?" Stewart asks. "I have seen buses, police cars, fire trucks and ambulances fail to use their blinkers. It can't be that much of a hassle to let the other drivers around you know what your next move is going to be. The other thing is, just because some Valley drivers do use their blinkers does not automatically mean that you can get over at that exact moment. Give the other driver a chance to let you move over. Don't assume everyone is not going to let you in."
Why do you think drivers don't use their turn signals? Laziness maybe? Are you one of the drivers who people are complaining about?
Count your blessings that we don't live in LA or New York.
Bad enough we have police road blocks to contend with adding to the police state we are in.
I usually always use my blinkers, but it would be nice if drivers were more courteous and would let you get over when necessary. With all the construction everywhere on our roads, the only ones I don't let in are the ones that totally ignore the signs that the lane is closed ahead and they race up there hoping to get in. I would never live in a big city because I don't like traffic and would not like driving in gridlock all the time. I won't take the freeways at rush hour times ever.
I don't know Rich...you living in LA or NY would be OK with me.
I think signaling should be an enforceable rule. You have to prove you know how to use them in order to get a license so maybe we should expect people use them all the time. The no-signaling thing drives me crazy and causes a far share of accidents too. The one I love is when someone wants to turn in front of you (crossing in front of you) say in a parking lot and don't signal. Then they honk and curse if you don't let them due to your failure of telepathy.
Rant over, I am now putting the soapbox away;).
This city isn't going to like this but Fresno has a lot to learn when it comes to coping with heavy traffic. I've spent most of my life in Orange County and Los Angeles, and by Los Angeles I mean smack dab in the thick of it...the west side, fwys 405, 10, 5, 110, 101, etc. and all the surface streets everywhere. Heavy traffic is a way of life and you allow a lot of time to drive a short distance. When I lived in West Hollywood, it was 8 miles and 51 traffic lights to my job in Santa Monica. It took 45 minutes including a quick stop at 7-11 for coffee. It wasn't uncommon to sit at the same traffic light for more than one red light cycle.
There's a few things L.A. drivers do to cope. There are many unwritten rules and when out-of-towners disrupt the process by not doing things correctly, that's when people start to get impatient. Also, there is no room for selfishness, it's disruptive to the flow. Fresno is going to find themselves with more and more traffic and if people don't learn a few things, trouble is going to erupt. It's already starting to.
Jackie brings up the two-lanes-into-one issue. That's a big one.
Unwritten Rule One - When two lanes are merging into one, fill both lanes as far forward as possible and then "zipper" together...meaning alternate one lane then the other. If the cars in the left lane are merging right, they should merge every other car. This moves the traffic forward and "zippering" is fair for everyone in both lanes. In L.A. this is standard procedure. I'm always amazed here how many people will not do this. Merging over a half mile back and stacking traffic into one lane too soon is a waste of space, inefficient, and moves too slowly. And blocking people out who have done the right thing causes road rage. I've seen people be absolutely rude by riding the bumper of the person in front of them to keep someone out and I wonder how they go home and sleep at night.
Unwritten Rule Two - Don't block someone from turning left in front of you at a light. By this I mean, you're coming up on a red light and you're maybe 10 or so cars back. On your right is a driveway into a business or a side road. On your left, in the oncoming traffic, is someone waiting to make a left into there. Don't pull up and close the gap so they can't get across. It's a red light anyway, so stopping 15-20 feet back so they can make their left turn across in front of you is a courtesy and keeps traffic moving.
Unwritten Rule Three - Leave a gap and let someone in at the red light. Similar to rule two, when you're waiting at a red light and someone has been waiting to pull into traffic from a business on the right, leave a gap and wave them in. You'll feel good about it and it keeps things moving. However, don't sit there and hold up people behind you letting 5 or 6 people in front of you. You've now upset everyone behind you and held up traffic. Also, if you're the person pulling into traffic, watch to see if someone lets you in. If you're not paying attention when someone is being nice and waving you in, YOU are now holding up traffic that you're not even in.
Unwritten Rule Four - Like Jim and Jeff Stewart point out, blinkers help keep traffic moving. There are so many situations where a blinker can keep traffic moving. Say you're making a right turn and you look down the street to the left and a car is coming. You're waiting for the car to go by...waiting...he gets closer...then turns right just before he gets to you. You cuss him out and say "thanks for the blinker idiot, I could have been on my way along with the other 5 cars behind me."
Unwritten Rule Five - Don't get caught sitting in the intersection when the light changes. If this has ever happened to you, you know what I'm talking about. If there's no room on the other side of the intersection...don't enter the intersection and you won't get caught sitting there blocking cross traffic when the light changes. Believe me, you'll only do it once. This is a lot more common in L.A. than it is here because there are more lights closer together, but it'll be more common here in the near future. I've already seen it happen here.
Unwritten Rule Six - Don't hold everyone up, make the "Michigan left." How many times have you sat behind someone trying to make a left from a side street or out of a parking lot with heavy traffic from both directions? You might just sit there till Tuesday if you're waiting on someone who is looking for a gap a mile wide. If I only had a nickel for every time I've sat behind someone thinking, "C'mooonnn...I could have made a left with an 18-wheeler truck by now." So, if you are that person trying to make a left, and traffic is too heavy, forget it. Make a right, go up and then U turn...a.k.a. a "Michigan Left." Or, remember the rule..."2 rights don't make a left...but 3 do."
Those are some I can think of off the top of my head, I'm sure there's more. The bottom line, for the most part, is be nice. Let people in, let people go, let people over. It's not a competition, and you're not the only one dealing with traffic. Everyone is. Trust me, this is NOTHING like what it's going to be, and people can either be hateful and fight, or they can be happy and roll with it. Either way, everyone needs to deal with it and make it work.
Oh...one more thing, when someone does something nice for you, give them a wave...some gesture that says you appreciate their courtesy. Everyone feels good about that.
I give you all a wave now if you've given me the courtesy of reading all of this.
What about those cell phone users, who not only fail to use turn signals, but who violate the law by holding phones to their head while driving. PD is not enforcing the law enough..I note especially the Fairmont drivers (pre school parents)
careening around Sierra Madre, a blind intersection, glued to the phone.
I think FPD is doing a good job enforcing the law against speeders by the schools.
If one observes CHP cars, you'll generally see that they don't use signals when changing lanes or turning. There is or was a motorcycle cop in Reedley who was famous for not even putting his foot down at stop signs. Come to think of it, have you ever seen a CHP stop and ticket a FDP car for ANY traffic violation or vice versa?
Those are great rules you shared, Scot
Thanks Tony, it's nice to know they're well received.
Today; 12.29. 2008; going south on Cedar Avenue between 16.00 and 17.00 hours, I saw a police car giving a turn signal prior to changing lanes!
"...For the times they are a- changin'..." (Dylan)