On my way to work the other day, I'm behind a small sedan doing appx 10-15MPH under the speed limit the entire time. The way our cars are lined up, I can only see him. But I can see that he's making gestures with his hands (Not at me, just in general). At first I think maybe he's just talking with his hands, but then I notice there's nobody in the passenger's seat.

As we come around another bend that hooks to the right, I'm able to get a full view of the driver's side of his car and notice that his phone is in a holder attached to the left side of his windshield, and he's on either a facetime or skype call with someone. And that's when I realize what he's doing.

.
.
.
.
.
.

He's doing sign language.... with both hands, while driving. While the person on the skype call is doing sign language as well.... In aggravation I hit the horn at him, then realized that he may be the deaf one.

Well, that's a new one for me..

As I was waiting for a pedestrian to clear the crosswalk so I could make a left turn on a green light (not an arrow, so pedestrian had the walk signal) woman honking behind me waving her hand and angrily throwing them up in the air. Put the car in park, stepped out, pointed at the walker in the crosswalk. She stopped honking.

I got that beat. Went through Drivers Ed with a deaf chick. When she drove, her interpreter sat beside her and would tap her on the shoulder to get her attention. After the shoulder tap, deaf chick would turn to face the interpreter. Which caused her to immediately swerve into oncoming traffic. Always. At speed. No matter what was coming. My most vivid memory of Drivers Ed was when the deaf chick went head to head with an Oshkosh cement mixer and ran it off the road. I am a veteran of many Police pursuits. Drivers Ed was way worse.
Oh, deaf chick got her license. I know because I later snagged her for speeding!
Bonus: Our Drivers Ed car was the epitome of early 70s GM craftsmanship: A 72 Chevy Nova 4 door. Deaf chick trashed at least two of them. She could not hear, sense or feel when the engine started and would leave the starter motor engaged after the engine started. The starter motor would then loudly self destruct.

quote:

In aggravation I hit the horn at him, then realized that he may be the deaf one.

That's some irony, right there...

quote:

Originally posted by jimb888:

As I was waiting for a pedestrian to clear the crosswalk so I could make a left turn on a green light (not an arrow, so pedestrian had the walk signal) woman honking behind me waving her hand and angrily throwing them up in the air. Put the car in park, stepped out, pointed at the walker in the crosswalk. She stopped honking.

While in Barcelona for a work assignment, I was stopped at a red light. The car behind me was from a driving school, student driver at the wheel.

There was a pedestrian in the cross walk. Our traffic light turned green, I waited for the pedestrian, the student driver behind me plowed ahead when the light turned green.

I explained to the driving instructor that my Spanish was sort of weak, and his penance would be to handle all the interaction and paper work with the police and the rental company where I got my car.

 
AZ offers a special plate for deaf drivers, but it is simply an "H" as the first character, and is intended to alert emergency services such as police and fire. I believe there should be a more recognizable symbolized plate to alert all drivers as to the deafness of the driver in front of them.
 

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
AZ offers a special plate for deaf drivers, but it is simply an "H" as the first character, and is intended to alert emergency services such as police and fire. I believe there should be a more recognizable symbolized plate to alert all drivers as to the deafness of the driver in front of them.
 

Maybe they could have a series for different groups, AH - Ahole, CL - Clueless, AP - Accident Prone, TXT - Texter, DH - Dick, LLB - Left Lane Bandit,

My father in law was deaf (before he died) and sign language is my wife's first language.

From what I have seen, deaf drivers (especially motorcycle riders) are much safer and cognizant about the traffic around them and even more so when deaf passengers are in the car. (all occupants are watching and "helping" the driver be aware) It's really a very unique thing to witness.

I believe what the OP and others here have seen are the generation-entitled deaf kids driving with a phone.

Well I guess it's better than if he was reading braile.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
AZ offers a special plate for deaf drivers, but it is simply an "H" as the first character, and is intended to alert emergency services such as police and fire. I believe there should be a more recognizable symbolized plate to alert all drivers as to the deafness of the driver in front of them.
 

Maybe they could have a series for different groups, AH - Ahole, CL - Clueless, AP - Accident Prone, TXT - Texter, DH - Dick, LLB - Left Lane Bandit,

Yeah, but some people would have so many codes they would need a trailer to carry their license plate.