Are Turn Signals Really That Difficult?!

I don't have traffic ESP so use your freaking signal!!

Published on March 2, 2005 By JillUser In Misc

The more I drive around, the more I am utterly irritated by people not using their turn signals. Is it really that hard to hit that little lever and let other drivers know what you are planning to do? In 4 lanes of traffic, do you really want the other drivers to change lanes without signaling or are you reserving that right for yourself alone?

Oh, and for those of you who only signal as you are turning, why bother? You're as bad as the ones who don't signal at all!! Oh, and you guys who drive down the highway with your signal blinking away, what the hell?! Everyone then has to worry about you cutting them off at any moment just because you were too dumb to hit that little lever when you changed lanes 5 miles back!

There, I feel better now.

Comments

Danny Bassette

on Mar 02, 2005

Yes, it's too hard to use turn signals. Being safe is too hard, being a good member of the community is too hard as well. But stupidity, that's easy

And to think, they had to pass a test to get their license, probably crammed for it too.

MasonM

on Mar 03, 2005

It's so hard to hold the wheel, hold the cell phone, and change the CD in the player, and you expect turn signal operation too?

Sadly, the fact is that most people's minds are anywhere and everywhere but on their driving. They are thinking about their destinationa and what they'll do when they get there. They're thinking about the person they had an spat with earlier. They're thinking about the conversation they are having on the cell phone. You get the idea.

Driving is just something you do automatically, not something you actually have to think about. Right?

InBloom

on Mar 03, 2005

I hate that, too...they either wait until the last second to use them, or don't use them at all...
and speaking of crappy driving, I hate when I get tailed even when I am not driving slow...I need my space...lol

on Mar 03, 2005

IMHO, the worse of them all is ones that brake HARD then turn on turn signal. Those people is crash baits!

KarmaGirl

on Mar 03, 2005

There are certain times that I don't use a turn signal on purpose. One time specifically is during evening rush hour on M14. You would ask why, right? Well, I drive a lot (110+ miles each work day) and I spend a lot of time watching traffic. All other times I use my signal, but not during evening rush hour on that expressway. I have been cut off hundreds of times on that expressway, and a good 75% of them were because I was going to change a lane and turned my signal on. How did I get cut off? The car that I would have been changing lanes in front of speeds up as soon as they see the signal, get up to your rear quarter panel and then just stays there.

Not using signals is bad, but there are many other just as annoying things that people do all the time. Here is my short list (could write a blog on this):
1) driving 65 in the farthest left lane of 3 or 4 lanes (most of the speed limits here are 70 and people drive 75+)
2) Semi drivers who block both lanes when one decides to pass the other going 1/4 of a mph faster than the other
3) Personal grooming in the rear view mirror. Both Men and Women do it. I see as man men shaving or combing their hair as I see women putting on makeup.
4) People who talk on their cell phone or are eating who forget that they should be paying attention to driving.
5) People who tailgate- especially in traffic
6) Gravel haulers or cement trucks on the expressway. I can thank them for the 6 significant stone chips in my windshield and probably the majority of the other 7 due to the gravel they left on the road that other trucks and cars threw.
7) Followers. These are the people who tailgate you but follow you from lane to lane no matter what speed you are going.

Moderateman

on Mar 03, 2005

cutsy rant,,,, never ever drive on the freeways in california kid you will keel over and have a heart attack.. no one uses turn signal here, they are to bizy talking onna cell, eating, drinking, smackin the kids in back seat, lusting at the driver in car next to them,putting makeup on, reading a map. newpaper, book.

KarmaGirl

on Mar 03, 2005

Moderateman, that really doesn't sound any different than here

chiprj

on Mar 03, 2005

I've always hated the people that believe that a turn signal = immediate right of way. You know the people, the one's that will put their turn signal on and let you know they want to get in your lane and start to enter it, before they actually clear your car. So you have to brake hard not to get hit. I hate those guys. And there's a bunch of them around here.

philomedy

on Mar 03, 2005

Yeah, here's the thing about Chicago...which is why I will do anything to avoid driving within it...there is so little space between cars between lanes...if you turn on your signal before you change lanes...the spot closes up and you lose your chance...I hate it because it makes you drive like an idiot...if you don't all the other idiots will run you over...

ParaTed2k

on Mar 03, 2005

Apparently the turn signal has ceased to be a warning of intent, and become a personal threat of impending conquest! ;~D

Shovelheat

on Mar 03, 2005

It's so hard to hold the wheel, hold the cell phone, and change the CD in the player, and you expect turn signal operation too?

Hahahaha... so, so true!
I gotta print this article for my Significant Other, she's the Queen Of Not Signaling and she gets tired of me gripping about it...

Moderateman

on Mar 03, 2005

Reply By: PhilomedyPosted: Thursday, March 03, 2005Yeah, here's the thing about Chicago

oooooooooooo I go to chicago at least once a year... stay rright on the chicago river. at the sheriton towers....

philomedy

on Mar 03, 2005

oooooooooooo I go to chicago at least once a year... stay rright on the chicago river. at the sheriton towers....

Ah, beautiful hotel, beautiful river. It's permanent shade of green makes us all feel like one big Irish family.

dynamaso

on Mar 04, 2005

Some things are the same no matter which country you live in... Nice rant, Jill

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