Turn Signals ARE the Law in NC (Raleigh, Gastonia: legal, safe)

[Njrover0216]

I live in Maryland and they do not use them here either. It is the law everywhere. I do not think it is just the Ncians that do not use them, and since most of Raleigh are transplants, I do not think it is a southern thing or a northern thing...I think it is an EVERYBODY THING. Too busy text messaging, talking on the cell phone or feeding your faces to turn the signal on! I will point this out because NC, SC and VA drivers are notorious for this. I travel to NJ a lot and whenever I am on the turnpike, if anyone of the states that I listed license plate is in front of me they are always in the left lane passing ABSOLUTELY NO ONE. Left lane is for passing, that is what helps keep the traffic going. Maybe that is why some of you consider the traffic to be aweful in Raleigh (not that I thought so), but if you pass and get back in the right lane, traffic moves a lot more smoothly

[Njrover0216]

I have learned that some northerners do not put their signal lights on when switching lanes, because up north if you put your signal light on to get into another lane, the person will speed up so you can not get over. They are not polite like down south. I didn't realize this til I went to NJ so often to visit, and everytime I put my signal light on to get into the next lane that person would speed up and not let me over, even if it means I have to get off soon. So when I am in NJ I never use my signal light to switch lanes, because I know it will do me no good, I am just better off cutting them off, they hit me in the rear they are at fault, now that is the law! Since a lot of NJians are moving to RAleigh, I bet that might have something to do with it, they do nto realize that true NCians will gladly slow down and let you over. Again I live in Maryland...I did live in NC for one year though and am trying to move to Raleigh

[OmegaBaby]

Originally Posted by Erin1264

This is especially true at 4-way intersections where there is no turning lane and no left turn arrow. People who are taking a left will pull out immediately when the light turns green, in front of those who are going straight in the opposite direction. Crazy!

To be fair....this is sometimes the only way to make a left turn. Otherwise, you're stuck at the intersection for endless cycles because there's never a break in the oncoming traffic.

In particular, I'm thinking about turning left from Salem St to NC-55 in Apex between the hours of 4pm and 6pm.

[bunnyrider]

Don't feel bad ... Raleigh doesn't even make the top 25 cities for road rage ... I'm so proud my current and home city finishes at #3!

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/05/15/miami_tops_rude_drivers_list_again/ (broken link)

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by bunnyrider

Don't feel bad ... Raleigh doesn't even make the top 25 cities for road rage ... I'm so proud my current and home city finishes at #3!

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/05/15/miami_tops_rude_drivers_list_again/ (broken link)

Yep, being optimistic, things could be quite a bit worse here. My hometown has the dubious distinction of being #1 (and believe me, it definitely earned it). I am very grateful to drive here in the Triangle, and I definitely have noticed that I'm a much kinder, gentler driver now - much less stress! And yes, I use my turn signals!

[Waterboy526]

Originally Posted by bunnyrider

Don't feel bad ... Raleigh doesn't even make the top 25 cities for road rage ... I'm so proud my current and home city finishes at #3!

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/05/15/miami_tops_rude_drivers_list_again/ (broken link)

Raleigh didn't make it because they were not in the survey. Only those 25 cities were in the Survey. So basically the Survey says that Portland has the nicest drivers. I'm sure Raleigh drivers are much worse than Portland's, but no where near the top. I from the DC area and it seems to me that Raleigh is better compared DC drivers as far as road rage goes, but percentage wise more people in Raleigh will drive higher over the speed limit than in DC, but DC has quite a bit more traffic too and that might be the reason why.

[Indigoblue]

Not using turning signals is my NUMBER ONE PET PEEVE. Especialy when you wait for someone to go by so you can make a left onto a street, and they turn right next to you GRRR

[autumngal]

I have been trying my hardest to ignore this topic....and well it did not work. So here it goes,

Especially in a pedestrian area is it vital to use a turn signal, never mind mentioning those that have rather large vehicles and take a while to stop even when doing the speed limit and not tailgating.

Ok I am finished,

[PudelPie]

Originally Posted by steve54

NC's a great place to live but very backward in some issues , the recent smoking ban vote being a good example of not very forward-thinking...

Um, because it took so long to get here? Because coming from (and traveling to/through) other states, I was appalled at how backwards the smoking policies are...years behind NY, MA, CA, and others. The first time I visited NC, it didn't even occur to me that I had to request "non-smoking" everything, and in some cases, non-smoking meant simply sitting away from the side of the room where the smoke was...full agreement there, not very forward thinking at all

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by donna78

Also, did you know that slower traffic keep right is a law?

Yes & no.

In North Carolina, motorists are only required to keep right if they are driving below the posted speed limit and blocking traffic. Both factors would have to be met for a violation.

"Except when making a left turn, no person shall operate a motor vehicle on the inside lane next to the median of any dual-lane highway at a speed below the posted speed limit if such slow speed would impede the steady flow of traffic. '20-146(e)"

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/inju...oc/ncspeed.pdf