You Don't Turn Off Your Turn Signal

Wait! Didn't you just tell us to turn them on? Yes, if you're going to make a turn. But when you have already made the turn and they don't go off automatically then you can mechanically turn them off yourself. Most of the time after you make a 90 degree turn they will shut off automatically. If the turn is 45 degrees or less they may not go off. The entrance ramp on most Interstates is 30 degrees or less so many times they stay on. Most drivers are aware of this, but not you as you're busy texting, on the phone or just plain stupid. Generally when entering a highway your left blinker is on or should be for a right entrance (and the right blinker if a left entrance). Now if there isn't a turn for several miles then you should have turned them off or you're indicating that you're going to make a left turn onto the medium divider at 70 mph. Of course if there is a left exit just ahead, if they are off you should turn them on. When I see this I usually, if I can safely do so, try to signal the driver. Signal #1: I fully extend my thumb and fingers and close the gap between the thumb and fingers. I then open and close them rapidly like a duck quacking, indicating your light is blinking. Quack, quack, quack, blink, blink, blink, quack, quack, quack. I think you get the idea. Signal #2: If I pass you, safely of course, I'll try to make you aware of it. I use my turn signal with 3 clicks on the left side, 3 clicks on the right side, 3 clicks on the left side, etc. If you don't get the hint in the next 30 miles I just give up as "You Can't Fix Stupid" (As Ron White says).

3 comments:

Kurt T. said...

It just so happens that yesterday, on my way home from work, just as I merged onto Rt.2 from 495, I was cut off by a "slider" (who was in the RH lane, which was moving faster, figure that out).
The guy used his blinker to cut me off (a courteous gesture), and didn't shut it off until the 190 merge. I was stuck behind him the entire time, and could do nothing to get his attention.
Turns out he was listening to his iPod using headphones constantly looking down at it to change songs. Great!

Anonymous said...

Not all the drivers that don't turn off the turn signal are "dumb" or doing any of the other things you mentioned. Some are like my dear husband. He can't hear that little noise the blinkers make when they're on. If I'm not there to tell him, he might drive a ways before he shuts them off.

Nate said...

Your point is well taken, therefore may I make a suggestion on your point that I failed to consider in my original post.
Your husband should try to make it a habit to check it after he gets on the other street. Reason is that the other drivers will think that he is going to make a turn. Other drivers then may pull out in front of him when he is going straight. I don't trust the other driver whether his signals are on or off until I see a positive movement telling me his intention.
Thanks for the tip. I'm sure it will help others also.

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