Turn Signals and who uses them...
@saigonwarrior (1331)
United States
May 2, 2008 11:41am CST
Has anyone else noticed this? I bet that you have if you drive.
I have been taking my son to school early for a few weeks and have been noticing
a trend with the police cars in our area.
I am talking about the local police in our city.
Why is it if a police car is behind me and I don't use my turn signal that I will be pulled over
and given a warning/citation, but EVERY morning I have been behind or facing police cars that
the NEVER use a turn signal when turning?
What really blew my mind, was 2 days ago picking my son up from an event in the evening, I was
behind a STATE police car and he turned, yes, you guessed it, even he did NOT use his turn signal
while turning.
So, I ask you. Do you think that patrol cars should be held to the same standards as us regular citizens?
It is only a turn signal after all. But if they disregard this law, do you wonder what other laws they may
disregard?
Even though it is a small infraction, don't you think they should be setting an example? Especially to
young drivers?
Do you use your turn signals?
7 people like this
8 responses
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
2 May 08
I never turn without putting my turn signal on. I think the police should be held responsible for not obeying this law. It doesn't matter that it is a small infraction. Look how fast a driver gets pulled over if he/she doesn't use the turn signal. My outlook is this: what is good for one is good for the other. It is the law and the police should be showing by example to do this. If they don't why can't we just throw the turn signals to the side and say forget it. The law is the law no matter whether you are a regular citizen or a police officer.
2 people like this
@saigonwarrior (1331)
• United States
2 May 08
I throughly agree sunshinelady, the only problem is,
how do regular citizens make that happen?
I guess we could all carry video cameras around and every time we see a police car turn it on, just in case. Then if they break a law, turn a copy into the police station or send it to the local news.
Anonymously, of course.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
20 Jul 08
I use mine and expect that police will use theirs. Watch the number on their car and report them. This is an infraction that they can pull you or me over for this so they should follow the law as well. If they are in a high speed chase, I wouldn't be as picky!
1 person likes this
@saigonwarrior (1331)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Yeah, you would hope that they would use them for normal, routine traffic.
I just don't see it here.
No, if they had sirens and lights, I don't think I would consider that an infraction.
The flashing lights would be enough.
Thanks so much for responding :)
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
2 May 08
I fully believe that the police should use their turn signals and so should every one else. It is so dangerous especially if the driver is turning to the left across traffic. Here where I live they ether don't use them or as you said their car came with out them. Sometimes when they do use them they are at the corner and turning when they turn them on.
1 person likes this
@saigonwarrior (1331)
• United States
2 May 08
I agree, and yes, you are absolutely right, turning left is dangerous enough sometimes, but without a signal it could be deadly.
Oh, I have seen that as well. The signal comes on as they are turning. Like you didn't already know it then.
Thanks so much for sharing, Deebomb, it is appreciated.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
20 Jul 08
It seems that the young people in our area are not using their turn signals either. I dont know why. The police locally do use their turn signals but when we travel to the interstate and larger cities, they do not. Sometimes I think some of the police officers think they are above the law. Not all of them. Many are just plain people but some of them
1 person likes this
@saigonwarrior (1331)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Yes, sometimes when we travel, I notice the same thing.
I think some towns are just different with different attitudes.
So, I guess it would all depend.
Thank you for sharing, I do appreciate it.
@reene0225 (351)
• United States
2 May 08
That is completely ridiculous. It is just a second of your time to use a turn signal and it can prevent accidents. If a person hit a police car because he didn't use a turn signal he would probably be given a ticket. However I would take it to court and fight it. I do think that the police should be held by the same laws and rules that we have to follow. There should be some sort of penalty for it. It does get you to thinking what other things do they do if they can't even mind a simple turn signal. They should be setting an example for young drivers. I do use my turn signals. After all no one can read your mind..
1 person likes this
@saigonwarrior (1331)
• United States
3 May 08
I know and I agree. I also use my turn signals when turning and I think everyone else should also.
It is just the safe and right thing to do.
Thanks so much for responding :)
@saigonwarrior (1331)
• United States
2 May 08
I think that is part of it.
Some think they are above having to abide by small
things like turn signals and most people will slow down or stop or let a cop go first just because it is a police car.
Put them in an unmarked car and I bet they would be getting screamed at for doing the same thing.
Thanks for the response, psyclown
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
2 May 08
I have always used my turn signal, it would be crazy not to - after all other drivers can't read your mind. I do get quite cross when other drivers don't use any signal at all, and feel that they should be made to realise that it is essential to signal.
@RaDuuu (11)
•
3 May 08
I am almost 18 (yes u have to be 18 to drive in my country :( ) but my father drives alot and I join him. He always uses the turn signals, because it's best for us, but also for the others on the road...
The police should set up an example. It's kinda bad that they don't use turn signals, because, like you said, if they disregard this law they might have disregarded other laws too.
The problem is that I saw this in my country too. It's a "phenomenom". It's probably the fact that they have the "power" on the roads. It's a stupid thinking "why should i bother using my turn signals, i'm the law on this road" :/ but it's common....
I think the best thing to do is just respect the law, drive carefully, and you will be safe and they won't have anything to stop you for ...
