| Looking for a universal "Stop" for use on the road [message #366484] |
Sun, 05 September 2021 11:34  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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I know not many of you read the website RVTravel and it is no surprise as it is more about the industry than it is about RVing in general.
A contributor brought up the fact that there is no universally understood signal for "You have a problem" or "Shut down now" or any such thing. It has to be something easy and practical for a single driver to use to indicate to another vehicle that we has seen a problem that requires attention. Many of us have been on one side or the other of this condition.
It was proposed that crossed arms used in a number of places could be adopted. This would be impractical for a single driver.
Even something with CB radios is a problem, as they have so fallen out of favor in recent years.
An erasable board is also not practical for a single driver.
In ship's engine rooms, we often would shake a flashlight to get another's attention. This then required hand signals to complete the message and not everybody keeps a flashlight in reach of the driver.
Headlight flashing and directional 4 ways is possible, but not universally understood. They could be, but whatever someone needs to spread the word.
While I did start this thread here, that does not mean I have any idea what might work.
It has to be clear to the target that it is not a Hello or just goofing around. This can also be part of a set that includes light flashes and horn honks.
A fist is another sign in some places that indicates "hold fast", but that is usually part of a longer hand sign sentence and not universal today.
That last line triggered a thought about a hand sign sentence:
Hand with fully spread fingers = Attention Hand Fireworks? (Not the close palm that LEO might use.)
A wrapped fist to indicate = Hold Up Now
This is practical for a driver to complete with either hand. It would be too short to get the other driver's attention.
Maybe two Attentions and then a Hold up could work. It could be repeated easily and might even get the point across to someone unfamiliar with the message.
If you have any ideas at all, this could be a valuable contribution to life on the road. But someone has to start it and here is a good as anywhere for a place to start.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: Looking for a universal "Stop" for use on the road [message #366491 is a reply to message #366484] |
Sun, 05 September 2021 20:30  |
seeburg220
Messages: 18
Registered: April 2009
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Place forearm over your eyes, like you're blocking something you don't want to see.
Variation: place hand over eyes.
Seriously, though, if you're driving past someone who've you've noticed a serious issue with, maybe a horn signal to initiate visual contact with the driver, then one of the above.
That's all I got.
Currently '77 403 Palm Beach.
Formerly '78 403 Kingsley.
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| Re: Looking for a universal "Stop" for use on the road [message #366494 is a reply to message #366484] |
Sun, 05 September 2021 21:09 |
dsmithy
Messages: 210
Registered: July 2012
Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Matt,
While it's not really an answer to your primary question, I have over the years, maybe twice, pulled alongside someone and swung my forearm with a pointed index finger moving towards the side of the road repeatedly. The drivers, in one case with a locked brake and in another with a small fire took my gesture as "pull over and stop" and they did. It was of course accompanied by a lot of other horn honking and gesticulating. In this day and age I despair of any single communication like you're describing becoming common, much less universal. But then I see something like "LOL" or "LMAO" and think... maybe it's possible.
Doug
Douglas & Virginia Smith,
dsmithy18 at gmail,
Lincoln Nebraska,
’73 “Sequoia” since ‘95: "Wanabizo";
Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy wheels/Sundry other
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| Re: Looking for a universal "Stop" for use on the road [message #366497 is a reply to message #366484] |
Sun, 05 September 2021 21:38 |
boybach
Messages: 566
Registered: December 2020
Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Check out Jeff Daniels's signals to Robin Williams in the movie "RV" for some imaginary real-world tips.
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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| Re: Looking for a universal "Stop" for use on the road [message #366510 is a reply to message #366509] |
Mon, 06 September 2021 19:46 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I have had a few cases of trying to wave down people who are in their own world and oblivious. Few months ago a pop up camper running on the rim. I was not the first person, and they just keep driving. In traffic it is sometimes difficult to catch up.
Guy had a flat in town, pulled along side an waved every geature. He looked at me glared and when the light turned green he drove off.
People wave at me in the gmc all the time. Always in a panic, i check around. Make sure the coach is not on fire and all 6 wheels are still attached. Wave back as they are just complimenting the coach.
This would be a tough trend to get people to follow. I am happy they use turn signals and stop at red light(many do not in my town). Never go on green without looking.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Looking for a universal "Stop" for use on the road [message #366511 is a reply to message #366510] |
Mon, 06 September 2021 19:48 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I should add…. Been a few people shot and killed lately. Coach in minneapolis, and now someone got pissed at a white castle drive through and shot the guy behind him. So you have to be careful who you try to signal at these days.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| [GMCnet] Re: Looking for a universal "Stop" for use on the road [message #366901 is a reply to message #366889] |
Tue, 21 September 2021 09:51 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Here in Oregon, statistics tell us that 2 out of 5 vehicles that you
encounter on the road have guns in them. Couple that with a high percentage
of Crazy Bas****s, and you have a recipe for disaster. Best to treat other
traffic like moving potholes, something to be avoided if possible, and that
is life in the 21st century.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Tue, Sep 21, 2021, 7:43 AM wrote:
> lqqkatjon wrote on Mon, 06 September 2021 19:46
>> I have had a few cases of trying to wave down people who are in their
> own world and oblivious. Few months ago a pop up camper running on the
>> rim. I was not the first person, and they just keep driving. In
> traffic it is sometimes difficult to catch up.
>>
>> Guy had a flat in town, pulled along side an waved every geature. He
> looked at me glared and when the light turned green he drove off.
>>
>> People wave at me in the gmc all the time. Always in a panic, i check
> around. Make sure the coach is not on fire and all 6 wheels are still
>> attached. Wave back as they are just complimenting the coach.
>>
>> This would be a tough trend to get people to follow. I am happy they
> use turn signals and stop at red light(many do not in my town). Never go on
>> green without looking.
>
> Same situation -2 different scenarios:
> Nearly midnight behind a semi with enclosed trailer - sparks flying off of
> one tire (meaning he had gotten down to bedrock on the tire)
> Finally got by him and honking my horn and pointing down towards the tire
> and I went on (I'm thinking a Truck driver might be deeply suspicious if I
> did that whilst he was carrying some valuable cargo). Anyway he pulled
> into the same service station/motel I was at a good while later and said
> thanks
> (I guess he took down my license plate)
> Scenario #2
> I95 broad daylight right behind an older model Cadillac and then you hear
> the 'wac wac wac' of a flat tire from the Caddy. Pulled alongside them and
> did the same thing - honked horn and pointed at his wheel when out came a
> gun. 'Ooops time to go' and I dropped back a few vehicles. I guess that
> completes my 'Good Samaritan' exercise for this life.
> .
> Both scenarios are true. I'm guessing I might not play the "Good
> Samaritan' much more
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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