If I look over and catch someone in the other lane who was previously
in my blind spot, I will have to wait. Even if I don't have anyone in
the other lane, I generally like to be 100% sure I'm not going to hit anyone.
10 seconds is an extreme case, but I will often take more than 2-3 seconds.

See, this 2-3 second lane-change is a SoCal phenomenon. I've found that you
DO have to change lanes immediately when you signal, and that's simply not
true everywhere else.

He has no such obligation. In many areas signaling will result in people
closing the gap you intend to move into. It is best to find a gap, make
sure it is clear then signal, then move. This reduces the opertunity for
people to close the gap.

Signally to get someone to create a gap is poor form.

First of all, even if one has a blind spot because of bad mirror
adjustment, the position of that blind spot will not allow the other
driver to even see your turn signal (unless one has side repeater or
those vanity mirror signals).  Second, as has already been mentioned,
it's up to the driver planning the lane change to adjust their position
such that they can change lanes (e. g., they have to slow down or speed
up to find a gap).

In my experience, it is possible far more often than not.  In either
case, the one who plans to change lanes takes that risk (whether it be
missing a turn or exit).

The only scenario I can think of where people should have to flip on
their signal and wait for someone to make a space for them is
bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go traffic on a congested freeway.

Under normal circumstances I'll find a place to go, position myself
appropriately, signal, and move decisively into the space I have
already verified is available. I don't demand that anybody else alter
course or speed to accommodate me.

If a driver can't be bothered to adjust their mirrors properly, they
shouldn't be driving.  The fact that people can't adjust their mirrors
such that a vehicle six feet wide and 10 feet long has blind spots is
more than ridiculous.  If I'm stopped behind you at a light, I shouldn't
be able to see your face in your drivers side mirror if it was properly
adjusted.

I just use my peripheral vision.  I have no need to even turn my head
more than 30 degrees, and that's if there's a car more than one lane
over from me.

It is the case.  I've driven vehicles ranging from a Honda Prelude to a
Ford Expedition and have been able to adjust my exterior mirrors such
that virtually no blind spots remained.

Here's how I do it:
1. Lean against the driver's side window and adjust the driver's side
exterior mirror such that you can barely see the side of the vehicle.

2. Align your head with the rear view mirror and adjust it till you can
barely see the side of the vehicle, or all the way out if it doesn't go
that far.

3. Sit in your normal driving position and adjust one or both exterior
mirrors slightly inward until there is no gap between the field of view
of the rear view mirror and either side mirror (you may have to make a
slight adjustment of the rear view mirror to one side or the other to
eliminate any remaining blind spot.

I don't see why that should be a requirement, since there's no need to
look over your shoulder to begin with.  And looking over one's
shoulder is a good way to go off course, whether you want to or no.

I wouldn't say "many other drivers."  I see examples every day of
people moving around in their lane (and sometimes out of it) because
they're not looking where they're going.  It takes a certain amount of
practice to be able to look one direction and hold a steady course in
another, and most drivers don't seem to be able to manage it.

My experience is the exact opposite.  The only vehicle I've driven
recently where that was my case was my '55 Studebaker (with the
factory-style little round exterior mirrors.)  Now if you're limiting
your vehicle experience to SUVs or vans, I might concede your point,
but for passenger cars - most factory mirrors are perfectly adequate.

All I can say is... you must be doing it wrong.  I have no such
problems, and my company vehicle is an '05 Impala (e.g. just the kind
of car you're likely to get from a rental agency.)  In fact, the
inside mirror shows me probably 75% or more of what I need to see,
without any side mirrors at all.  At a guess, I'd say that your side
mirrors are probably adjusted too close to the sides of the vehicle.
If you adjust the mirrors while driving (obviously only possible on a
vehicle with power remote mirrors) so that a vehicle doesn't appear in
the side mirror until it's almost disappeared off the edge of the
inside mirror, you won't have that issue anymore.  You can get close
on a vehicle without power mirrors by setting them so you can just see
the edge of your own vehicle, and then adjusting them straight out
maybe 10-15 degrees or so.

nate

Similarly, if a driver can't change lanes without other drivers
slowing down to let them in, they shouldn't be on the road.

I noted that scanario in an earlier post. But outside of that, I just
don't see any reason to lollygag. You have nothing to gain and
everything to lose.

For example, there are people who will post to these newgroups,
complaining about people passing them on the right while they are in
the process of passing another vehicle on the Interstate. INVARIABLY
they create this problem for themselves because they take their own
sweet time returning to the right lane after a pass. They will clear
the front of the vehicle they are passing, continue in the left lane
for 4 or 5 carlengths, THEN turn on their signal and start to think
about returning to the right lane.

The problem with this approach is that drivers behind them have no
idea if this guy is planning to return to the right lane or if he's
just going to be another LLB, so as soon as they can they merge and
pass the guy on the right. If there are multiple cars in the conga
line, it's a safe bet that they will all try to follow suit.

When I pass another vehicle, I turn on my right turn signal when the
front of my vehicle is even with the front of the vehicle I am
passing. This unambiguously lets the driver(s) behind me know what I
intend to do. I also return to the right lane IMMEDIATELY after my
rear bumper clears the front bumper of the vehicle I just passed;
there is no physical opportunity for a driver behind me to slip around
and pass me on the right. This is safest and most efficient for all
concerned.

Now, sometimes when I tell people this, they complain that by
returning to the right lane "too soon" I am depriving the vehicle I
just passed (as well as myself) of a safe following distance. While
technicaly this is true, the risk is actually very well mitigated. In
the first place, recall that I am PASSING the other vehicle, which
means I am moving faster than he is. This means the gap between my
vehicle and his may start off "too small" but it WILL grow rapidly.
Also, since I am passing, I have a clear view of any potential
obstacles in the road ahead, so I can pretty much guarantee that I
will not have to stop suddenly during those few seconds while the
space cushion is "too small." All in all, this is MUCH safer than
having one or more drivers slip past me on the right while I am trying
to complete my pass.

What's really amazing is these same "safe drivers" who refuse to merge
in front of a semi "too early" will happily spend an eternity driving
right next to that same semi, executing a micro-pass. <knock knock
knock> Hell-LO? McFLY? A space cushion is needed for a full 360
degrees around the vehicle, not just in front of it!!

Scott in SoCal:

<< snip >>

I guess the closest thing to compare to would be how some call
Californians, "Californicators." Sort of illustrates how some of us in
GA tend to dislike FL. (Especially in late October - early November).

But still has to wait until the person in the intersection clears the
intersection.

And the electronic touchscreen voting machines so dumbed down so that
even they can operate the machines.

--
F orever
B enefitting
I slam

Aren't you required, by law, to refrain from entering the intersection
unless there's room to clear it?

--

Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.
- Admiral Hyman Rickover, U.S. Navy