Driving Wishes

[Molandfreak]

I wish there were such a thing as a dedicated U-turn signal. That way, you know why the guy in front of you is taking his/her time through the turn.

I wish cars could automatically dim their lights via a sensor that detects the lights of other vehicles.

[agentsteel53]

I wish cars could automatically dim their lights via a sensor that detects the lights of other vehicles.

nope.  sometimes I'm gonna need those high beams, no matter what.  I do apologize, and I try to need them this badly in only rare instances, but the perfect mix of murky weather and road curves might necessitate it. 

[hotdogPi]

I wish cars could automatically dim their lights via a sensor that detects the lights of other vehicles.

nope.  sometimes I'm gonna need those high beams, no matter what.  I do apologize, and I try to need them this badly in only rare instances, but the perfect mix of murky weather and road curves might necessitate it.

on/off switch for if this happens automatically

[Molandfreak]

I wish cars could automatically dim their lights via a sensor that detects the lights of other vehicles.

nope.  sometimes I'm gonna need those high beams, no matter what.  I do apologize, and I try to need them this badly in only rare instances, but the perfect mix of murky weather and road curves might necessitate it.

fog lights?

[SteveG1988]

I wish there were such a thing as a dedicated U-turn signal. That way, you know why the guy in front of you is taking his/her time through the turn.

I wish cars could automatically dim their lights via a sensor that detects the lights of other vehicles.

Several models of cars have automatic dimming

[Scott5114]

I always thought it might be nice for there to be a straight-ahead signal for those rare situations where you specifically need to emphasize that you are not turning.

[hbelkins]

I wish cars could automatically dim their lights via a sensor that detects the lights of other vehicles.

My dad's 57 Chevrolet had one of those.

[DaBigE]

- Have the headlights integrated with windshield wipers so that the headlights automatically turn on when the wipers go on
- Have the high beams integrated with the horn (high beams flash when the horn is used). With stereos louder and louder and cars being better insulated from sound, sometimes the horn alone just doesn't cut it.

[realjd]

I wish American drivers knew how to signal at roundabouts. If you're turning left, signal left dammit!

[DaBigE]

I wish American drivers knew how to signal at roundabouts. If you're turning left, signal left dammit!

I could agree when referring to un-striped roundabouts (whole 'nother topic right there). However, when they're fully striped, you only need to signal right, when approaching the exit you are going to depart the roundabout from. The only thing that should matter is what lane the car is in. Since the central island (intentionally, properly) blocks the view of portions of the roundabout, signaling left is ambiguous at best, especially if the roundabout has four or more approaches (how do you know where they entered?). Entering traffic should only be concerned with the traffic immediately to their left...nothing else (except for crossing pedestrians). If drivers are using the lanes as they're marked, signaling left is unnecessary.

[formulanone]

I always thought it might be nice for there to be a straight-ahead signal for those rare situations where you specifically need to emphasize that you are not turning.

I recall some automaker displayed a concept car in the mid-to-late-1980s with such a feature, since the rear turn signals were arrows that pointed left, right, and straight. I'm completely stumped as to what the make/model was, since it never hit production.

[realjd]

I wish American drivers knew how to signal at roundabouts. If you're turning left, signal left dammit!

I could agree when referring to un-striped roundabouts (whole 'nother topic right there). However, when they're fully striped, you only need to signal right, when approaching the exit you are going to depart the roundabout from. The only thing that should matter is what lane the car is in. Since the central island (intentionally, properly) blocks the view of portions of the roundabout, signaling left is ambiguous at best, especially if the roundabout has four or more approaches (how do you know where they entered?). Entering traffic should only be concerned with the traffic immediately to their left...nothing else (except for crossing pedestrians). If drivers are using the lanes as they're marked, signaling left is unnecessary.

Here's an example of how the rest of the world does it, from the NSW government:
http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/internationalinterstate/roundabouts.html

Signaling like that really makes things go more smoothly, even when lanes are marked.

[agentsteel53]

- Have the high beams integrated with the horn (high beams flash when the horn is used). With stereos louder and louder and cars being better insulated from sound, sometimes the horn alone just doesn't cut it.

fuck the horn.  it's the equivalent of walking up to someone's face and going "wassaaaap" (like that old Budweiser commercial) from 3 inches away.

nice garlic breath, asshole.

[DaBigE]

I wish American drivers knew how to signal at roundabouts. If you're turning left, signal left dammit!

I could agree when referring to un-striped roundabouts (whole 'nother topic right there). However, when they're fully striped, you only need to signal right, when approaching the exit you are going to depart the roundabout from. The only thing that should matter is what lane the car is in. Since the central island (intentionally, properly) blocks the view of portions of the roundabout, signaling left is ambiguous at best, especially if the roundabout has four or more approaches (how do you know where they entered?). Entering traffic should only be concerned with the traffic immediately to their left...nothing else (except for crossing pedestrians). If drivers are using the lanes as they're marked, signaling left is unnecessary.

Here's an example of how the rest of the world does it, from the NSW government:
http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/internationalinterstate/roundabouts.html

Signaling like that really makes things go more smoothly, even when lanes are marked.

Still agrees with the 'signal as you intend to exit' method (Wisconsin DMV instructions (1.1 mb PDF)). Given how US drivers currently use their turn signals (or lack thereof) I envision a lot of people forgetting to switch indications before they exit. ==> More confused drivers, less acceptance of roundabouts. Not to get into a slippery-slope argument, but you would be amazed at what people will use as an excuse to be against a roundabout at a public meeting.

From the AUS link, in their "Turning Right" image (equivalent to our left turn), how does the turn signal change how the drivers waiting on the EB and SB approaches are going to handle the situation? Regardless of what exit the circulating driver is going to take, they still have to yield to them.

[1995hoo]

In theory, the right-turn indicator tells the fellow waiting at the first entrance (eastbound, if we assume north is up in the diagram) that if he wants to make a left turn (take the first exit), or if he wants to use the outside lane to go straight (take the second exit), he can go ahead and do so because he won't come into conflict with the guy making the right turn.

The biggest thing is reducing ambiguity. Roundabouts work splendidly when nobody has to guess at what anybody else is doing.

[roadman]

- Have the headlights integrated with windshield wipers so that the headlights automatically turn on when the wipers go on

Given the number of states that currently require headlight use when wipers are on, I'm not surprised this isn't already a feature on newer cars.

[Mr_Northside]

- Have the headlights integrated with windshield wipers so that the headlights automatically turn on when the wipers go on

I like this idea.... A lot.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

I wish cars could automatically dim their lights via a sensor that detects the lights of other vehicles.

Lincoln had this feature in 1981, as an option on the Town Car.  It should have caught on, and should now be mandatory.

nope.  sometimes I'm gonna need those high beams, no matter what.  I do apologize, and I try to need them this badly in only rare instances, but the perfect mix of murky weather and road curves might necessitate it.

Read up on back-glare and learn why high beams don't help you in fog, rain or snow (i.e. what I presume you mean by 'murky weather'.  There is absolutely no reason to continue to run your highs when meeting oncoming traffic.

By your logic, I should run my high beams constantly at night because I drive a truck, and because of the heavy weight of my vehice and its increased stopping distance, I need the extra visibilty.  Right.  'Cept I don't do that, because it's being a douchebag.  Won't kill me, won't kill you.  Lower your fucking headlights if you can see traffic.  I have zero patience for this.  None what so ever.

- Have the headlights integrated with windshield wipers so that the headlights automatically turn on when the wipers go on

My last truck had this feature.  My current truck unfortunately does not.

[vdeane]

- Have the headlights integrated with windshield wipers so that the headlights automatically turn on when the wipers go on

Given the number of states that currently require headlight use when wipers are on, I'm not surprised this isn't already a feature on newer cars.

That "feature" would cause people to flash their lights whenever a bug hit their windshield, or if it's not raining hard enough to keep the wipers on consistently and the driver didn't already turn their lights on.

In theory, the right-turn indicator tells the fellow waiting at the first entrance (eastbound, if we assume north is up in the diagram) that if he wants to make a left turn (take the first exit), or if he wants to use the outside lane to go straight (take the second exit), he can go ahead and do so because he won't come into conflict with the guy making the right turn.

The biggest thing is reducing ambiguity. Roundabouts work splendidly when nobody has to guess at what anybody else is doing.

That assumes the person will stay in their lane... not a good assumption to make in the US!  In fact, over here, it's generally a good idea to assume a driver's maneuver will conflict with yours regardless of what their signal says.

Plus we don't have many multi-lane roundabouts like that.  In the ones we do have, the lanes "push" to the right at the exits on the more major road, so that one would need to change lanes if they were to go more than 270 degrees around for some reason.

[hbelkins]

My main vehicle -- my Saturn Vue -- has both daytime running lights and a sensor that automatically turns on the headlights (and by extension, taillights) in low-light conditions.

I figure that the DRLs satisfy the "headlights on when wipers in use" requirement.

[Revive 755]

I recall some automaker displayed a concept car in the mid-to-late-1980s with such a feature, since the rear turn signals were arrows that pointed left, right, and straight. I'm completely stumped as to what the make/model was, since it never hit production.

I would rather have a straight ahead signal on the front of the car.  Most of the times I've wanted such an indication have been when going straight in a shared left-thru lane where most traffic goes left and there is a decent opposing left turn movement.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

That "feature" would cause people to flash their lights whenever a bug hit their windshield, or if it's not raining hard enough to keep the wipers on consistently and the driver didn't already turn their lights on.

In my last truck, with the wipers-on-lights-on feature, the headlights stayed on after turning the wipers off until I turned the headlight switch on, then back off.  The headlights did not come on when using the wipe-wash.

[Duke87]

I think it would be cool to have a car with a special mode that turns all the wheels 90 degrees and allows you to drive sideways. Would make parallel parking a lot easier, and might be useful for getting out of some other tight situations.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

I think it would be cool to have a car with a special mode that turns all the wheels 90 degrees and allows you to drive sideways. Would make parallel parking a lot easier, and might be useful for getting out of some other tight situations.

I think it would be cool to have a car with a special mode that turns all the wheels 90 degrees downward and allows the car to fly.

It's almost 2015, why don't we have this yet?

[DaBigE]

I think it would be cool to have a car with a special mode that turns all the wheels 90 degrees and allows you to drive sideways. Would make parallel parking a lot easier, and might be useful for getting out of some other tight situations.

While cool, it would be a mechanical nightmare. The only real way you could do that is if each wheel had its own electric motor for power instead of the traditional drivetrain/axle setup.

Oshkosh had a similar feature called All-Steer, which, at the flip of a switch, allowed a computer to control/synchronize the rear wheels with the steering axle. It had three positions: 1) locked forward, 2) turn opposite of the front (reduce turning radius), or 3) turn with the front (allowing the truck to "crab-walk" diagonally). All-Steer Driving Manual (3 mb PDF)