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Wow, I thought that Gastonia was the only city where it's illegal to use signals. Surprisingly, I see more drivers in Charlotte use them than here in Gastonia. I don't think the citizens feel pressured to use them when the cops don't seem to use them either. It seems like once I cross the state line into South Carolina, folks are quite the opposite and use proper car etiquette.
I'm sorry but the way people drive down here isn't the best, but it sure beats the NJ and PA drivers I'm used to seeing. I mean sure people pull out in front of you here and don't pay attention and drive like stoners (that would be slowly for those who don't know how stoners drive) but for the most part they really aren't so bad. I do understand why no one has any bumpers though.
Plus, the people I see driving like jerks around here aren't really from here anyway. And yes, you can tell who they are.
I posted the following in the Raleigh forum.... All meant in good fun!
Observations from a new NC resident on NC drivers:
1) Turn signals are not only an option, they are ILLEGAL
2) Dont just slow down over rail road tracks on a hiway... come to a complete stop. Sorry but I dont think your 1979 Ford Escort will fall apart going over the railroad tracks. Maybe it will.....
3) (on rural roads) Drive at least 10 MPH UNDER the speed limit so that traffic builds up for a mile behind you.
4) Wave at your neighbors (this is a GOOD thing!)
5) Red lights? We dont need no stinkin red lights. They are only for the suggestion to stop, or the inviation to see how much pickup the ol' car has while leaving a cloud of rust and soot behind you.
On the other hand......
6) When you have actually stopped at a red light.... day dream until the light is yellow again.... then hit the gas so you are the only person to get through the light. (again with the rust and soot thing....)
7) Why use the right lane in a multi lane hiway? People are more comfortable in using the left lane, no matter the speed. Perhaps we should rename the left lane: For use by people that have a cell phone implanted in their heads. I have nicknamed them "Left-laner-no-brainers". (Oh, this one applies to every state in the Union)
8) And when you do get the chance to pass someone.... they will speed up with you, up to the speed of light. Even though they were doing 10 MPH a second ago.
9) Stop for all pedestrians in the walk way (again a GOOD thing!)
10) If you are a police officer, feel free to run at 120 MPH without your lights on. TWICE!
Yes I have seen all of the above. All meant in good fun! Execept #10 which I had to call the officers license plate in.
Just an FYI, not one of our neighbors here has ever waved to us. They must think we are nuts because we go up and down the street waving at everyone we see, and none of them wave back. And when I walk the dog, I say good morning to people and they look at me like I have two heads. I mean sure I don't have any make up on sometimes, but sheesh! People aren't as "friendly" as it is made out to be. And I was informed why at work. Don't get me wrong, we have some friends here, but it isn't what I'd say is "friendly".
But then you have the opposite of those who don't use turn signals. They turn the signal on 1/2 mile before they turn. And, when they do turn, they come to an almost complete stop before turning. Is that a common trend throughout the rest of NC or is that common just in Charlotte?
I have visited Raleigh a few times over the last couple of months and I was surprised at the lack of use of turn signals! Is this a (more?) southern thing? Is Charlotte the same? LOL. Seriously, here in So Va probably 1/3 of folks use theirs (which my northern friend yells about all the others) but down there it seems to be a rarity which is funny considering how many people are moving there from somewhere else. I guess all the foreigners are adopting the no-signal policy.
I have bitched about this on numerous occasions. I thought it was delegated to the small town that I live in because everyone knows everyone and probably has an off the wall idea of where they are going. Apparently not. But there is a trend that is alive and well in the eastern part of the state that most people do not use turn signals. I for one do use them religiously.
But then you have the opposite of those who don't use turn signals. They turn the signal on 1/2 mile before they turn. And, when they do turn, they come to an almost complete stop before turning. Is that a common trend throughout the rest of NC or is that common just in Charlotte?
Take a drive down the road to SC and that does become more common...everytime I visit my hometown, I notice folks doing that. I've never experienced it in Charlotte, though...and well...I already commented about Gastonia, where signals are never used--although I do notice that people on the east side of town (the more suburban area) DO use them, while the folks on the west side of town (the area everyone associates with Gastonia's trashiness) do NOT use them. Weird!
I'm from the Boston area, so I'm used to aggressive drivers, but I can't believe how many drivers here never use turn signals.
Especially changing lanes on highways and exiting the highway.
The driver behind you needs to know what you are going to do in order for him/her to make safe decisions on the highway.
Don't driving instructors teach proper use of turn signals in NC?
Any ideas on why this is?
I'm not trying to be critical, but I can't help thinking that not using turn signals contributes to some of the accidents we see and hear about every day.
Drive safe!
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Drive carefully
NC drivers....no turn signals?
