by Alisa Mantall

Created on: April 28, 2007   Last Updated: May 01, 2007

The importance of turn signals is to let people know what you intend to do. It also gives them time to react and take the proper course of action. For reasons of importance we have-

1. Safety
2. Courtesy

Those were the reasons for the person actually making the turn.

If we are following someone always do so at a safe distance. Give yourself time to react to someone who uses turn signals at the last minute or not at all. If you see someone slow down assume that they are going to make a turn and do not pass them right away. Look and see what possible actions they might be taking. See if there is any turns coming up. Only after making sure they are just slowing down then go ahead with passing procedures. Use your turn signal let them know what your intent is and give them time to notice before you do.

Again for reasons of importance we have-

1. Safety
2. Courtesy

Sometimes using the turn signal lever just isn't enough. You need to make sure they are actually working. It should be done every time you get ready to drive. It is not likely that we are going to inspect our vehicle each time so at least do it periodically. This could have saved my father from an accident.

My father was on his way home from a relatives house when is was a kid in the early eighties. He was always good about using turn signals. We were ready to make the left hand turn into the driveway. There were no right hand turns for at least a quarter mile in either direction. The truck he was driving was an old 1965 Ford. Still very solid for its age. I saw him turn the turn signal on with plenty of time before the driveway. Next thing we know is we are hearing this awful metal on metal sound and a brown flash of car streak by us.

This new Crown Victoria had tried to pass us. You would be amazed at how well the bumper on the truck peeled sheet metal off the Crown Vic. The car turned around and comes back to see if we are all right. It is a plain wrapper state trooper. Next thing we know he is hollering at my father for not using a turn signal. Our arguments were useless. Even though there was only a left hand turn he still got the ticket. After the trooper left we discovered that for some reason the light on the dashed blinked but not the bulb in the back. If the trooper had not been in a hurry he would have seen we were slowing down for a left hand turn. He still may have issued a ticket but everyone would have been better for the ordeal. I am amazed the trooper did not get a ticket for unsafe passing. Go figure! Reasons are again-

1. Safety
2. Courtesy

Please exercise some patience.e

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