Alright, so after much driving, it has come to my attention that you, the general public, need a little lesson in driving safety and etiquette. I’m sure more than one of you scoffed and laughed at the title of this piece, wondering why you (the best driver in the world) would need a reason to use your turn signal.
Well, guess what? You do need a reason, in fact you need three.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come to a four-way stop only to sit there for what seems like hours until one of us finally decides to go only to get honked at because I cut off someone who was trying to turn — someone who did not have their turn signal on.
Reason No. 1: To not get side-swiped, rear-ended, crashed into, hurt, bumped, scratched or impaled in any way.
Seems like a pretty good reason, no? And yet there are drivers who still think they are invincible and don’t need to use that nifty little blinking light their car is so graciously equipped with.
Reason No. 2: To be considerate.
If you really do think you’re invincible and can do whatever the hell you want on the road, then at least do so with a bit of a respect for others. Instead of causing your fellow road warriors to slam on their brakes unnecessarily or swerve out of the way as you drift over into their lane unannounced, turn the blinker on before you shoot over and show a little compassion.
Reason No. 3: To give your forearm some exercise.
Today’s society is all about being healthy, fit and toxin-free. From organic foods to all-natural household products, we’re all going green and doing better things for our bodies and our lives.
So, how about you give yourself a little exercise in the car while you drive. I know, I know, turning the wheel can be strenuous enough, but try moving your left arm down or up just a quarter of an inch every time you want to change the direction of your vehicle. I know, it seems like a lot, but just give a shot — your body will thank you and so will everyone else on the road.
