Originally Posted by Leo99
Originally Posted by Wolf359
I always signal. Lots of idiots switch lanes without signaling. It's a nightmare when two people want to merge into the same lane and the other one doesn't signal. If you drive with two hands on the wheel, it's easy to flick the direction as you turn the wheel. If you don't have enough time to signal, you're not spending enough time checking your blind sides before switching lanes. First thing I always do is check mirrors, then look over to check right blind side. For the left I have a pretty well calibrated blind side mirror so I just glance in the mirror for left turns unless it's dark at night and then sometimes a quick glance backwards to the left. If you're doing those, there's enough time to flick the directionals and then switch lanes.
It's the most dangerous on the highway not to signal. I'll skip signaling on city streets on some turns just so someone turning left in the other lane doesn't jump in front of you. Normally you would signal first and then hit the brakes. The clueless are the ones who brake first, then signal.
And too many clueless people out there that think signaling is asking for permission and that someone has to let you in because you signaled. I check to see if I have it. If I have the room, I just signal and move. If I don't have it, I don't signal. You're not asking for permission, you're telling someone what you're doing.
In bumper to bumper traffic, you're asking permission. You're letting the other cars know that you want to change lanes. The courteous drivers will give you some space to change lanes.
In bumper to bumper traffic, you won't get permission. That's when you don't have it. Signaling just tells them to close up the gap. That's where driving comes into play, accelerate or brake to move into position and then just signal and go. Never ask for permission, just tell them you're doing it and do it.