What makes a good driver...specifically....I want to be one.

[Zen Road Warrior]

thanks for all the replies..

[Rockee]

Its not that obvious to me. How often do you make a turn in the city or anywhere, where you have to adjust your turn to the point that your signal would cancel? I would rather have self canceling signals any day

[worldisnotenough]

I think the first and best asset is a driver who does not drive exhausted. One who actually gets some rest. I know some people need more sleep than others but driving when you are past the wall will make you make all the mistakes listed above. Except maybe the crazy beef about the lights skywalker was ranting about.

[got mud?]

Its not that obvious to me. How often do you make a turn in the city or anywhere, where you have to adjust your turn to the point that your signal would cancel? I would rather have self canceling signals any day

say you make a turn as your tractor comes out of the turn and you are starting to straiten out your wheel your trailer is still in the middle of that turn. self canceling blinkers would shut off before your trailer was done with the maneuver. that could leave someone trying to guess what you are doing.
not good assuming that most 4 wheelers do stupid things when they know what you are doing.

[Rockee]

About the only person that I could see getting confused in a situation like that is the person/s behind you and since they are behind you they must be following you into your turn, so if they are dumb enough to try something, like cutting inside, I dont see where a blinker would make any difference. I just cant see where a self canceling signal would be an issue, unless say your making a wide turn, like a button hook, then you know its gonna go off

[1xtruckindj]

This thread should be mandatory reading for all drivers, newbie or otherwise. Great reminders for those who might get "too comfortable" every once in a while.

[fireman932003]

My advise to you would be do what you are doing, ask questions. But, not only ask the questions, but learn from them and apply them! Too many drivers come around asking good questions and get good solid advise but do not apply what they have learned. You are taking a good first step to becoming a good driver. A good driver does more than drive his/her truck with skill. A good driver never stops learning and trying to improve on themselves. I hope that you will be one of these "Professionals". BOL

[Drew10]

Rockee said:

Its not that obvious to me. How often do you make a turn in the city or anywhere, where you have to adjust your turn to the point that your signal would cancel? I would rather have self canceling signals any day

Every turn in the city requires you to turn the wheel back before the Unit has completed its turn, regardless of how wide or tight the turn needs to be. The signal would cancel before the turn was completed.
Highway use, changing lanes, doesnt require enough wheel turn to cancel the signal anyway. (Think of your 4wheeler).

About the only person that I could see getting confused in a situation like that is the person/s behind you and since they are behind you they must be following you into your turn, so if they are dumb enough to try something, like cutting inside, I dont see where a blinker would make any difference.

Sorry Im not buying into this thought process. They are "dumb enough".
It only takes one to be confused, possibly the most dangerous one would be the person behind you or on one of your sides. 4wheels and local drivers dont know how to drive or react when manuevering around us. I dont want to contribute to the situation.

Self canceling turn signals would be more of a detriment than any good they would do for us as drivers.
Personnally I dont mind canceling my own signal.

[Rockee]

I am aware of city vs. hwy driving. What I am trying to say, and sometimes I dont make my point very well when typing, is that after you start and are in the process of your turn, where exactly is the threat from if your signal is canceled? Not from the lanes that you are turning into because they are blocked, not from the lane that was in front of you before you started your turn because they too are blocked, not from the lane that was to your right when you started your turn because they should still be yielding to you and are also blocked. So if you can explain to me just where and in what situation someone might be "confused" if a signal cancels I might "buy" into that. But from my experience I just dont see how if would be a detriment. Sorry Zen for getting off track on this thread

[One]

Avoid overtaking on the right- Slower traffic stay right! Use your cb to be aware of bad weather, traffic and other hazards like a drunk or an RV with no lights.

[Skywalker]

I am aware of city vs. hwy driving. What I am trying to say, and sometimes I dont make my point very well when typing, is that after you start and are in the process of your turn, where exactly is the threat from if your signal is canceled?

From all sides and directions.... believe it or not.

because they should still be yielding to you

You have about a 50/50 chance of having people....including other truck drivers yielding to you.... There are more reckless and impatient drivers than you can shake a stick at..... NEVER expect anyone to yield to you.

I leave my turn signal ON until I can get up close to the speed limit. I want them to see it and wonder what I am up to....because at least they'll hopefully be paying attention.

I've noticed many Canadian trucks entering the Interstates and canceling their turn signal....then putting on their 4 ways.....and depending on the where and when.... I will also do so.

[geeshock]

I think the first and best asset is a driver who does not drive exhausted. One who actually gets some rest. I know some people need more sleep than others but driving when you are past the wall will make you make all the mistakes listed above. Except maybe the crazy beef about the lights skywalker was ranting about.

so true, just two days ago i can across a wreak on i-85 at the 106 mm in nc. The driver fell asleap at the wheel, crossed the median, and was killed, not to mention he hit a 4 wheeler. as far as i know the 4 wheeler survived. It's not worth the risk

[Rockee]

I said "because they should still be yielding to you and are also blocked" I have been driving long enough to know not to take things for granted and to also not expect people to yield to me or for me. If everyone is so set against self canceling signals, give me a "for instance" where it would be a problem, not just a "Danger Will Robinson". I also have to question why you would leave your blinker on for so long Skywalker, I have read many if not all of your posts and they all have good insight and advise in them. But you know how long it can take to get up to speed and to leave your blinker on for so long is just giving them the wrong signal. What happens down the road and the same driver that was wondering what you were doing before now decides that your blinker is on for no reason.

[golfhobo]

Rockee said:

Its not that obvious to me. How often do you make a turn in the city or anywhere, where you have to adjust your turn to the point that your signal would cancel? I would rather have self canceling signals any day

Every turn in the city requires you to turn the wheel back before the Unit has completed its turn, regardless of how wide or tight the turn needs to be. The signal would cancel before the turn was completed.
Highway use, changing lanes, doesnt require enough wheel turn to cancel the signal anyway. (Think of your 4wheeler).

About the only person that I could see getting confused in a situation like that is the person/s behind you and since they are behind you they must be following you into your turn, so if they are dumb enough to try something, like cutting inside, I dont see where a blinker would make any difference.

Sorry Im not buying into this thought process. They are "dumb enough".
It only takes one to be confused, possibly the most dangerous one would be the person behind you or on one of your sides. 4wheels and local drivers dont know how to drive or react when manuevering around us. I dont want to contribute to the situation.

Self canceling turn signals would be more of a detriment than any good they would do for us as drivers.
Personnally I dont mind canceling my own signal.

Sorry, Drew.... but I gotta side with Rockee on this one! The purpose of a turn signal is to broadcast your INTENT while you are still facing straight forward. ONCE you start your turn, I think it is pretty obvious to everyone within the block that there is a BIG RIG making a turn!

Let's say you are in a right turn only lane (no outer lane choice) and turning right onto a four lane (two in your direction.) Of course we KNOW that we SHOULD continue the turn into, and staying in the RIGHTmost lane, but it is not always the case, and sometimes not possible. Half of your truck is in EACH lane. I would RATHER have the signal cancel so that the 4wheelers have to WAIT and see which one I end up in, that to assume something and go around me.

I understand what you are saying. If going for the rightmost lane, you will have to swing wide, then aim for the sidewalk, then turn the cab BACK to the left to stay on the road.... but by THIS TIME..... the fact that you are turning RIGHT is pretty dang OBVIOUS!! And only a FOOL would try to cut inside you to the right. However, IF you actually need to stay in the left lane (maybe to make a left turn right away... or to drag your tandems around a really sharp curve without hitting a pole.... I DON'T want the 4wheelers to think the left lane is clear because my blinker is still indicating to the RIGHT!

And the REAL point of my beef is that once you safely make the turn, the fact that the signal doesn't cancel, while you are busing going through the gears, can give the WRONG impression to the car at the next intersection or driveway... that you are about to turn right AGAIN into the Walmart parking lot, so he jumps out in front of you!

Consider the situation of pulling out of a truckstop right on the corner of an interstate. Interstate runs east and west. Truckstop in on the southeast corner. You signal right and turn right onto the crossroad, and approach the light at the on ramp to your right.... heading EAST. The light is green and you want to go OVER the bridge and turn left to go WEST.

The oncoming VW thinks you are taking the onramp to go EAST, and wants to beat you to it, so they make a hard left and gun it.... right into YOUR path as you are actually intending to go straight ahead!

The resulting accident will be YOUR fault... AND a "preventable," because you FAILED to cancel your blinker and were giving the WRONG signal to the oncoming traffic.

I have been out here a mere two years, now, and only a very FEW times have I FAILED to activate my blinker to give the proper signal before making a turn or lane change. But, I cannot COUNT the number of times that I have forgotten it was on, and rolled through an intersection only to see someone make an emergency stop, and THEN realize I had confused them by giving the WRONG signal!! ALL BECAUSE OF A NONCANCELLING SIGNAL!!

Not ONLY does the DANG thing not cancel..... but (in my truck) it doesn't even make a PEEP!!! :shock:

Besides.... as everyone knows..... that dang "blinker fluid" costs about 5 bucks a gallon!!!!

[Gearjammin' Penguin]

Never let the other guy drive your truck.

When someone is doing something stupid on the road and you find yourself driving aggressively because of it...

When you go for one higher gear going down that hill or speed up in a blizzard because other drivers are passing and ragging on you over the CB...

When you start rushing through a back-in because you're blocking traffic and people are laying on their horns...

...you're letting someone else drive your truck. Keep your head, don't rush, and trust your own judgment. Not to say you shouldn't take advice from the vets, but in the end, you're the one in control--stay that way.

Fantastic question, Zen, and one I wish every new driver would ask. 8)

[Skywalker]

I said "because they should still be yielding to you and are also blocked" I have been driving long enough to know not to take things for granted and to also not expect people to yield to me or for me. If everyone is so set against self canceling signals, give me a "for instance" where it would be a problem, not just a "Danger Will Robinson".

I'm not altogether sure that "self-canceling" would really be a problem. It could be for drivers that are too lazy to re-engage the turn signal as necessary....

I also have to question why you would leave your blinker on for so long Skywalker, I have read many if not all of your posts and they all have good insight and advise in them.

Thank you for the kind words! Happy to be of service!!

But you know how long it can take to get up to speed and to leave your blinker on for so long is just giving them the wrong signal. What happens down the road and the same driver that was wondering what you were doing before now decides that your blinker is on for no reason.

Generally speaking...when I was pulling a dry van... I would not leave my blinker on very long....but then I also had a larger engine to pull the box with. Now I have a smaller less powerful engine...and am normally loaded with at least 45,000 lbs of liquid....and it takes a little longer to accelerate. I normally only keep it on until I hit 40 to 45 mph....minimum speed on the interstate. My single objective is to make sure that they "notice" the slow moving object they are approaching at a fair clip. I don't leave it on any longer than necessary though. 8) The other day on I-64 in WV...as I was climbing one of the big hills...I had my 4 ways on...and still a 4 wheeler almost rear-ended me....so it makes me wonder. But at the same time....if keeping the signals on a little longer prevents an accident....then its a good thing.