I don't know why this never occurred to me before, but indicating that I'm going straight with the whole arm is a GREAT idea!! I have been almost hit 4 times in the past week because of cars turning into me or cutting me off at intersections (where there are no lights). This is partly due to those 'wrong way' cyclists getting in the way, but I think that had I thought to clearly indicate that I was continuing in the straight ahead direction, it would have helped at least half of the incidents.

Is it me, or is it getting MORE dangerous out there lately? I don't know why I'm all of a sudden having so many near misses on the same roads and intersections I've been riding for months with no problems.