When I approached, as traffic started to move, the second car in line suddenly began a right turn. The driver did not use a turn signal. I swerved dramatically, shouting explicatives. The driver stopped in the middle of the bike lane. I rode by, with a loud shout, "Use your turn signal!" The driver completed the right turn after I passed.
Another friend of mine had a similar experience, end of last week. A third friend of ours was actually hit by a car at this very location at the beginning of last week. All three incidents were the same scenario--passing slow or stopped cars, one of which made a sudden turn without signalling.
The dashed white line reminds us, of course, that cars may be changing lanes in this area. Approaching the intersection, it makes sense to be alert to this potential. Only a certain measure of mind-reading is possible from the saddle, though.
If you drive a car... please make using your turn signal at least three seconds BEFORE you begin your turn a habit. Not only is it the law, but it could save a fellow citizen from injury.
Use of turn signals or blinkers appears to have been a fad that has fallen out of favor with Sacramento drivers in particular.
I guess it's kind of like calling your shots when playing pool. If you know what you're doing and play with a degree of skill, calling the shot is no big deal. If you're just pushing the ball around the table, though, calling a shot doesn't move you closer to your goal--you can't say, "I meant to do that," if you called a different shot! If you're just pushing your car around the street, safety isn't on your mind--all you're thinking about is getting there. A driver that isn't using turn signals is just pushing their car around the road--an objective hazard to not just cyclists but also other motorists and pedestrians.
If you drive a car, please think about what you're doing while driving. Drive intentionally and drive to promote both your safety and the safety of those around you.
Many thanks.
DC
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