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Author Topic: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?  (Read 694 times)

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Offline Questor

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Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« on: May 22, 2009, 03:48:30 AM »
Senior citizen drivers are notorious for leaving their turn signals on for miles of driving. Is this because of human aging or mechanical aging of the turn signal mechanism?

One night I was driving behind a guy I would guess to be in his mid-70's. I just happened to be going his way for several turns on a route that went about ten miles. At almost every turn his turn signal remained on after making the corner. I tried simulating his driving and was able to get my turn signal to stay on once. It was just an amusing incident.

His car was a Cadillac that I estimate to have been about 12 years old.

Have there been any studies done on this? Can you give me a reference where I can get a multi-million dollar grant to study this phenomenon?
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Offline magooch

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2009, 04:13:20 AM »
Maybe the old boy wanted to turn, but he just wasn't sure where.  Actually, that has happened to me a time, or two.  I mean where my turn signal failed to cancel and I didn't know it for a while.  In the old days, the blinker unit was loud enough that you could hear it.  I haven't checked, but I don't think you can hear them at all on newer vehicles.  And unless you stare at the dash all the time, the little flashing light doesn't catch your attention very well.
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2009, 05:21:13 AM »
I often make a shallow left turn off the highway and the turn signal does not cancel.  I'm hard of hearing and do not hear it.  Does not matter which vehicle I am driving they all do the same thing at this intersection and I continue down the road with the blinker on.  My son and my wife are always yelling at me to turn off the blinker.  The Chevy truck, the Eclipse, and the RX-8 all have a loud bell that starts to ring after going for a set period with the blinker on.  That's usually when I turn them off.

Yes I am aware that this happens at this intersection and I now usually remember to turn the blinker off, but I am sometimes distracted thinking about other things.

My wife says anyone over 60 needs to have a driving test annually.  She is trying to get me (60) grounded.
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Offline Dixie Dude

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2009, 05:27:23 AM »
Had the same thing happen to me occationally.  It usually happens when I am listening to the radio or talking to someone.  Can't hear the turn signal, and unless I look at the dash, don't see the light.  If they put the lights near the speedometer, it would be easier to see, because you usually look at your speed.  Maybe they should have a timer on them.  It is not always old people.
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Offline Cement Man

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2009, 05:57:38 AM »
+1 on not hearing the turn signal that didn't cancel in a shallow turn and wife hollering at me.  I wish they made them louder or had a flashing strobe light on the dash.
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Offline CannonKrazy

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2009, 06:23:19 AM »
You guy's should come down south and drive for a few days. Driving with a blinker on is standard operating proceedure for the over 65 crowd. :D I have a neighbor thats in his seventies that drives everywhere. Many times I will get behind him while driving and he is very bad about turning on the blinker and then turning the opposite direction. If I didn't know him or where he was turning this could be a real problem. I kinda feel sorry for everyone else that is behind him.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2009, 08:19:05 AM »
I heard two seventy year olds talking about how rapid young drivers rode around , One said to the other " just leave the blinker on , scares the devil out of them and they won't get close or pass "
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Offline Cement Man

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2009, 08:25:53 AM »
Quote from: SHOOTALL on May 22, 2009, 08:19:05 AM
I heard two seventy year olds talking about how rapid young drivers rode around , One said to the other " just leave the blinker on , scares the devil out of them and they won't get close or pass "

That's a good one!   :D
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Offline Questor

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2009, 08:40:53 AM »
Dang, ShootAll! You just gave me a secret weapon. I'll wire my turn signals so they never cancel.

I wonder how much work it would be to just wire it so that the left blinks for a few minutes, then the right blinks for a few more minutes, and then alternates.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2009, 08:50:26 AM »
use the emg flasher and really mess um up
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Offline williamlayton

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2009, 09:17:03 AM »
I would rather drive behind a person who has a flashing signal than one that does not use it.
It has gotten so bad here in Houston that you never know when someone is going to turn.
Another problem is when they use the turn signal as they start turning. talk about getting your attention.
Blessings
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2009, 09:23:03 AM »
i would rather drive behind most drivers , as it is harder for um to hit me !
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Offline CannonKrazy

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2009, 01:05:06 PM »
Quote from: SHOOTALL on May 22, 2009, 09:23:03 AM
i would rather drive behind most drivers , as it is harder for um to hit me !



Just be on the look out for women that almost miss their turn and slam on the brakes to make it. ;D
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Offline oldandslow

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2009, 02:41:38 PM »
Quote from: williamlayton on May 22, 2009, 09:17:03 AM
I would rather drive behind a person who has a flashing signal than one that does not use it.
It has gotten so bad here in Houston that you never know when someone is going to turn.
Another problem is when they use the turn signal as they start turning. talk about getting your attention.
Blessings

I thought the turn signals had to be disconnected on any vehicle sold in the state of Texas. Or is that just in Lubbock, TX?  ;D
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Offline squirrellluck

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #14 on: May 22, 2009, 05:47:59 PM »
I think using turn signals is optional in Louisiana.
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Offline gdolby

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #15 on: May 23, 2009, 04:09:08 PM »
It's kind of off topic but the ones that really get me are the ones that get halfway in the turning lane and leave the rear half of their vehicle in the travelling lane. Makes me want to test just how good my insurance is
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Offline FourBee

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #16 on: May 23, 2009, 04:31:57 PM »
Or how about the car ahead of you turning left at a clear intersection.  You have the Green light, and its thru traffic.  Instead of a proper left turn, he cuts short across onto the oncoming lane and sets off the light sensors making you stop at an empty intersection. ::)
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Offline williamlayton

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Re: Turn Signals: human or mechanical aging?
« Reply #17 on: May 24, 2009, 03:16:07 PM »
Just the other day I was in the left turn lane. When the left turn signal came on I was turning left and the kid behind me cut the corner, flipped me off as he passed me on the inside.
Blessings
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