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Post by pete1 on May 4, 2009 23:56:47 GMT -4
At this time you are not required by law to use your turn signal when just changing lanes. The law now says it is illegal to change lanes when unsafe to do so. Legislatures are trying to pass a law which will require you to use your turn signal when changing lanes under the penalty of a fine, and points. What do you think?.......... ps: If passed the cops will have the legal right to stop you for not signaling at 3am when you are the only car on the highway.
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Post by bluecrabber on May 5, 2009 9:36:00 GMT -4
I'm glad it's not already law.. I saw a trooper catching up to me on 50 the other day... I was in the left lane.. I turned my signal on to move to the right and the darn thing did not work!!!! I have had an intermittent problem with the turn signals. Once in a blue moon they stop working. Anyhow, he just ignored me and blew on past at about 70 mph. Best regards, BC PS, shortly after the blinkers were working again..
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Post by dude on May 5, 2009 12:23:41 GMT -4
The law reads when the driver of the vehicle feels its unsafe....how vague. so if you change lanes without the turn signal..and cause an accident or kill someone..your good to go! maybe the Gen Ass will put a clause that says between certain hours...........then there's just the courtesy of it. but we've forgotten that....haven't we??!
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Post by pete1 on May 6, 2009 3:53:44 GMT -4
dude........If you change lanes without a signal causing an accident the charge would be changing lanes when unsafe to do so. Not using a signal did not the cause of the accident........Another example: Left turns are prohibited between 4pm - 6pm. A car makes a left at 5pm and is hit by a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. The cause of the accident is failure to grant right of way to oncoming traffic, not the prohibited left turn.
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Post by dude on May 6, 2009 9:08:35 GMT -4
that's right..never said not using the turn signal was the cause. the unsafe action of the driver is: changing when unsafe to do so, and not using signal to show others of intentions. but the law reads in such a way that the driver can say "i didn't think it was unsafe"...and thats enough to get them off. however, i believe there are negligent and reckless driving charges....sort of a blanket charge..but could work. and again, there's just the courtesy of it.............but society doesn't do that anymore...to bad. where oh where did we go wrong??!!
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Post by pete1 on May 6, 2009 15:47:04 GMT -4
dude..............If changing lanes caused the accident it doesn't matter what the driver thought. Children think there is a Santa Clause...........You never charge with negligent driving when there is a more specific charge in the book. To charge reckless driving you must prove willful and wanton intent.
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Post by RobMoore on May 6, 2009 17:55:34 GMT -4
I guess people will never get to change lanes in Maryland with this as a law, because we all know as soon as you put your signal on, the guy you're about to get in front of will accelerate to close the gap, keeping you from changing lanes.
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