It's not necessarily a matter of distraction, in fact it could be that the other driver isn't distracted. There are two things that tell drivers to expect that your course is changing. One is the color of the indicator, that being orange as we're all used to, and the other is the blinking. Thankfully he still lets it blink, admittedly it's a very fast blink (garish IMO) as he prefers it this way. But +1 point for that, it's better than nothing.

Many of the rules and regulations we live by are designed to give us as many clues as possible as to what is going to happen, or what is happening, so we can plan accordingly. Peel away those clues, and some other thing might prevent us from drawing the correct conclusion in a split second of confusion if we only have one clue to work with. I think turning signals are a special category that shouldn't be tweaked too far from the norm. When we're changing direction, we need to be as clear as possible in as many ways as possible, because there are after all a lot of terrible or half-asleep drivers out there, and knowing they're terrible and knowing they're out there doesn't make them go away.

 

So... you're saying that an un-distracted driver, in a split second situation, that's half asleep won't know jtk2 is turning left cause his blinkers are blue? Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing the law. I believe its there for a reason and I abide by it. But I also believe its more or less in place to keep colored strobe lights off of civilian vehicles. Those should be reserved for emergency vehicles and respected as such.

Most encounters with turn signals happen at intersections. Intersections with stop signs and stop lights. As a licensed driver at a stop, if you're unable to conclude that jtk2 is turning because his blinker is a different color than normal, what does that say. 90% of people I encounter never even use a signal when turning or merging. The point is that you should be aware of every other vehicle on the road at all times, and not rely on split second clues in order to make it safely to your destination.

 

Yes you're right, people should do the right thing and be 100% aware of their surroundings.

 

*Turn signal on*

Other driver: Damn @#$% is merging/turning I need to slow/stop/etc (reaction ensues)

*Non-DOT Turn signal on*

Other driver: WTF is that? Is that some *CRASH* aaaagh my car/leg/face

 

hahahahahaha

 

It's not about who is dumb and who is genius. Statistically ____ will happen and it could happen to the best of drivers. You may look down on the passenger seat for just a second and somebody in front of you will slam on the breaks at that moment or an animal will run out. At 65mph you drive 95 feet/s! Obvi we are all ____ed that we arent allowed to decorate our cars but if everyone could then you'd have people driving with super high intensity strobe lights and blind the ____ out of people especially at night.

People find ways to exploit everything so that's why the line was drawn leaving us very little room to work with/customize. Imagine somebody impersonating an under-cover police officer and taking advantage of your wife/gf/daughter/mother then how are you gonna feel about blue lights being legal?

Try to understand why things are the way they are before jumping to conclusions...."some times" laws are there for a reason

 

Well Im not talking about strobes. Just simple White LEDs turn signals. There's only 2 of those emitting on the front of you car when you put your turn signal on. If someone thinks I'm a cop because of that.. I'm going to go up to there window, ask them to roll it down, then slap the ---- out of them for being stupid.

 

"Good evening. Do you know why I pulled you over?"

"Why no...."

*smack* "Have a nice night."


Then you'd REALLY be in trouble with the law. Whats the sentence for impersonating an officer in Texas? Death penalty I'm assuming?

 

Having completed a number of defensive/aggressive driving courses (real-world stuff, I make no claim to be a star on the track or drag strip), I whole heartedly agree that even good drivers can get confused by something simple. It seems silly, but someone driving in a city where the lights aren't hanging across the intersection, but are on the corners causes many people to run red lights. Or if you are heading the opposite direction I am and signal a left turn, I plan in case you cut me off. I may not plan as well for your mistake (let's say you don't notice me) if you have white turn signals.

Finally, yes, some cops only have 2 blue dash lights in their cars.

 

Well since I work with cops everyday all around Houston. I'm sure I can call one up. And have him come out to slap the dumb driver.

 

You have a masochistic streak I see.

 

Why would sumone think im a cop bc i have one blue light blinking on my mirror lmao thats alittle over exagarated dont u think?..

 

I think you're missing the over-arching point. Go back and read all the posts again.