Why don't people who drive trucks use their turn signal?

Bridgewater Betty

My dear, you have observed the same thing as I.

I simply chalked it up to people who drive big obnoxious trucks, being self centered and deliberately ignorant. Look at how many of these ugly trucks have been decorated with hideously huge tires, and massive exhaust pipes that shove diesel soot into the windows of neighboring vehicles (not to mention illegal levels of noise).

They also seem to have a high percentage of passengers who put their feet on the dashboard. One's feet do not belong on a dashboard, or out a window.

Also, don't sound your horn at them or they are likely to give you the finger, just one more example of the high class person behind the wheel.

When people say they are "too lazy", I wonder what other things they are "too lazy" to do. Things like using toilet paper, or taking a shower.

I am proud to use my turn signals. Doing anything less, is discourteous, and what's more, it's just unacceptable.

The person immediately following this answer probably drives a pickup truck and takes offense to my accurate assessment of them, and their drivers: I drive a Range Rover HSE, and I always use my signals. My husband drives a Mercedes CLS500 (also an "over $40,000" car) and uses his as well. Our friends mostly drive over $40k cars and they all seem to signal regularly as well. So that's 100% of our household driving $40k+ cars, and using turn signals. And as far as I know, 100% of the friends I ride with from time to time are using turn signals as well.

However one may extrapolate from that, since most of them are highly educated professionals, they are intelligent and scholarly enough to digest the importance of signaling their intent to move lanes or turn. Apparently, intellect is not a burden for many drivers of pickup trucks, particularly the ones festooned with stickers, loud exhaust, big tires, and a set of painted toenails proudly hanging out the passenger window. Sorry, but that's a fact that is proven to us every single day, on streets and highways across the nation.

Daniel R

my guess is that their to self absorbed to care, and there's a lot of cars that don't use them.

smartblond48

I drive a Ford Crew Cab. I always use my turn signal. This vehicle has so many blind spots that I want to give the drivers around me every possible break.

sunflower

I find it very hard to believe that you've never witnessed any vehicle, other than a truck, fail to use their turn signal.

I also get frustrated by drivers who don't use their turn signals, but it isn't just truck drivers.

FYI... I drive an F-150 and always use my turn signal. It's common courtesy to others and is also the law.

Rod Knocker

I drive a crew cab F350 4X4 diesel with a utility bed on 37" tires and I always use my signals. My truck is big and needs a lot of room to get over. The funny thing is, I get cut off almost every day by little Honda civics and other little rice rockets who are not using their signals. They always pick the biggest truck to cut in front of. Maybe one day I wont swerve and I will just drive right over them.

Don't stereotype big truck drivers. You just notice they are not using their signals because they are big. Pay close attention and you will notice ALL makes and models don't always use blinkers.

chris2EM

They think that being in a large vehicle keeps them safe and in control of the road. They don't feel the need to signal. What they don't understand is that they need to signal to other vehicles that can be in their blind spots. You can't just look where you want to go and move.

Not all pick-up owners are that way. I do drive a 3/4 ton pick-up, but I use my signal.

skyalert

The semi truck driver might forget his signal because he is busy shifting down to one of his 18 gears before the turn and watching that his tires don't touch the curb that can cost hundreds if a sidewall is damaged. Timing the turn just right takes patience and practice and due to the recent demand for truck drivers there are a lot that are relatively new and need to be more experienced. That exp doesn't come overnight and it takes years to keep all the plates spinning smoothly.

lucitex1

I drive a 2500hd Silverado to work, I do use my signals. but like you say, some of them do feel like they are king of the roads. I think that they think, the higher they are the less they have to respect.

mopardanimal

I noticed it the other way around: The semi-tractor/trailers are more faithful at signaling than the cars.

Test again tonight on the way home and pay attention to the cars with a price tag over $40K. I bet you will find that 80% of any driving group fails to consistently use their turn signals.

suzb49

Don't know if you are talking about the big rigs or pickup trucks, but either way...anyone who is too lazy, too busy (on cell phone), or just to obnoxious to use their signal is an accident waiting to happen. Just be on your guard when following any vehicle, car, pickup or semi cause the nut behind the wheel may not let you know his/her intentions. I always drive defensively as I was trained to do. I expect people to do wrong and therefore am somewhat prepared for their dangerous driving habits. No signals, tail-gating, speeding, illegal lane changes, multi-tasking, it is all dangerous and stupid. You be the safe driver and hopefully one of the reckless drivers won't take you with him/her when they wipe out!

dirtytricksracing@sbcglobal.net

I notice that people with honda's and little cars do not use theirs much they just zip in and out of traffic like mindless idiots.

UCANTCME

In a survey commissioned by Response Insurance, these were the reasons given:

42 percent said they don't have time.
23 percent said they are too lazy.
17 percent said they don't because they forget to turn it off.
12 percent said they change lanes to frequently to bother.
11 percent said it's not important.
8 percent said they don't because others don't.
7 percent said not doing it adds to excitement.

Freight_Train

Well for those that do not use there turn signal obviously have a blatant disregard for there safety as well as other road users.
1: by not using there turn signals it is Illegal
2: Unsafe
3 See the above.

As a professional driver my self I have very little tolerance for those that blatantly disregard safety and I tend to call them on it because as a truck driver we have the responsibility of keep you the road user safe.
We are supposed to be the ones that know the rules, We are the ones that are held to a higher standard, Why? Because we are so much larger than the rest of you.

My advise, Call there Safety department of look for a company phone number. In alot of cases there are big yellow stickers on the back of the trailers that have an 800 number and vehicle id number. CALL THEM IN

I have been a truck driver for going on 15 years with over 1 million miles accident free.

Theatreman1

If they don't then take their number plate details and report them.

clank854

actually,only men with trucks don't use their turn signals,and they don't because they think they are more special than everyone else.

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