The last time I sat in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, there was a movable little stick, or lever, attached to the steering wheel. Nothing fancy, it’s easy enough to use - press down or lift up, depending on what you want it to do. The lever is wired into the vehicle’s system to activate a blinking light bulb on either the left or right side of the auto. 

After performing this basic function, not only will a little light blink on your dashboard, but lights located on the outer front and back of the vehicle blink too.  This lets the other drivers know you’re about to turn. 

Yep, it’s a simple concept behind the indicator light - or turn signal, and unless you have a bulb blown out or faulty wiring, it’s reliable, easy, and works every time. So, why the heck aren’t people using this? I’m not a math whiz, but more drivers using less signals seems to equate to a lot of potential trouble. In fact, not signaling a turn seems to be the norm these days. 

   On a recent day of local driving in a larger city, I noted the number of drivers using a signal was less than those not. Aside from the obvious - I need a more interesting life - I was actually stressed out by the time I reached home.
In my state, cell phone use while driving is not prohibited. It should be - then at least the number of people talking on the phone illegally would lessen - but it’s a common to see other drivers steering with one hand and holding a cell in the other.

One women I was following started pounding on the steering wheel when she was stopped at the light. She was on the cell either having one hell of a fight or amazing phone sex, as indicated by her body language. The woman was so absorbed in her conversation that she was driving 28 mph in a 45 zone. Oncoming traffic and no passing area, prevented me, and the long line of drivers behind, from doing anything more than cursing the selfish jerk out. She finally turned off - no signal, of course, still on the phone. If your conversation is so heated, then pull over to the side and get on with it so the other drivers can be on their way.

It’s not only the cell talkers that don’t bother with signals. How can you steer, signal, and eat your lunch, apply makeup, or read the paper or a map while driving when you only have two hands? Something’s got to give and it’s a no-brainer that the signal will be the one to go. Why bother to use it legally when you’re doing something else that shouldn’t be done while operating a moving vehicle? The last time I looked inside of a Driver’s Manual, there was a section about turning and the use of signals. Apparently that is still the law, albeit not in vogue.

The old adage of there never being a police officer around when you need one proved true for most of my recent experience, where all of the above mentioned incidents were observed.  Finally, on one particularly busy street, I found myself following a police cruiser and happily waiting for some idiot to do something stupid so they could get nabbed.

Unfortunately, the sight of the police car transformed everyone into star drivers; following the speed limit and making all the right moves.  There were no more driving mishaps until the police officer turned on to another street.  He never used his signal.

©2007 Barbara Dolny