Shopsmith Forums

charlese wrote:During my aging years, one of the most difficult driving challenges I've found is judging the closing time of on-coming traffic when making a left hand turn. Especially when the speed limit is 55 MPH. This is a challenge that gave me no problem in my younger years.

It sure helps when there is a traffic light with green arrows.

To try to make a left turn in front of on-coming traffic while distracted is asking for a big problem.

I have to do that every time I come home from our normal market place. The turn is across a very heavily traveled street. I have gotten the horn blown at me more than once. I never gave it a thought that maybe I was cutting it too close. From now on I am going to cut me and the oncoming traffic some slack while making that left hand turn.

"Getting Home from the Grocery Store Safely"

dusty wrote:
I have to do that every time I come home from our normal market place. The turn is across a very heavily traveled street. I have gotten the horn blown at me more than once. I never gave it a thought that maybe I was cutting it too close. From now on I am going to cut me and the oncoming traffic some slack while making that left hand turn.

"Getting Home from the Grocery Store Safely"

Happy you are giving that some thought, Old Friend!

Good thing to think about before every left turn. More space (slack) = home safe with the groceries.

charlese wrote:

dusty wrote:
I have to do that every time I come home from our normal market place. The turn is across a very heavily traveled street. I have gotten the horn blown at me more than once. I never gave it a thought that maybe I was cutting it too close. From now on I am going to cut me and the oncoming traffic some slack while making that left hand turn.

"Getting Home from the Grocery Store Safely"

Happy you are giving that some thought, Old Friend!

Good thing to think about before every left turn. More space (slack) = home safe with the groceries.

Even better - I now have an alternate way home from that market place. It is about 1/4 mile farther but but the only left turn is into my own driveway. We highjacked the thread about texting while driving (I don't text anyhow) but that seems par for the course here.

dusty wrote: We highjacked the thread about texting while driving (I don't text anyhow) but that seems par for the course here.

Yeah! A regular Jessie James

But it's all about safety while driving.

Our legislature is considering passing a ban on texting while driving. But it will be a secondary offense. You can't be cited unless you have committed some other driving offense at the same time; e.g., running s stop sign, speeding, reckless driving, etc. All bark and no bite in that law. After all we don't want to become a nanny state like those other 36 states. The bill does not ban using a cell phone for talking while driving.

My wife thinks I'm crazy but I avoid left turns when at all possible. I have done it since I have learned to drive. My drivers ed teacher drilled it into us. He showed a few movies and had pictures of left turn accidents.

At the time most left turn accidents were because the driver making the turn did not look into his left rear view mirror and didn't see the person passing him. Back in the 60's that was problem I don't think it happens much today.

The other is making a left turn across two lanes coming out of a shopping center. Most people think the because the car in the right most lane stopped they are cleared only to find out someone in the left left was passing the stopped car. Saw an old timer pull out in front of a huge truck. Killed him and his wife and I don't think he ever saw what killed him.

I never cross multi lanes to make a left turn. First I don't want everyone stopped by me as I try to get out cussing me and second I like my body to much to expose it to a car I just didn't see.

My wife thinks nothing of making left turns and I just shudder while she is doing it. nShe has never had an accident doing it but man oh man there have been some close calls.