Turn signals, always

Use your turn signal every time you make a turn.

Now this is not the same old tired admonishment leveled at jerks who never use turn signals. This is meant for people who do pretty well with them, but will sometimes forego them if they don’t see the need. Dig:

• No one is behind me. Use it anyway. There are numerous motorists and other people to whom you could be communicating useful information. If I’m at a stop sign turning left from a side street, and you’re approaching from my left, and your turn signal goes on when you’re 50 yards from me, then I can reasonably suspect that you’re slowing well short of me. After a second or so of confirmation, I can make my turn without waiting any longer, if you’re the only potentially interfering motorist. Also, how do you know you’ve accounted for everyone? Pedestrians and bicyclists fade into the scenery very easily. You might be telling someone something that prevents injury.
• I’m in a turn lane. Use it anyway. When you’re in a turn lane with your turn signal on, then you’re telling me you know you’re in a turn lane. You could also potentially communicate to another motorist who does not know it that s/he is in a turn lane.
• Someone in front of me is turning. You may want to use it in this circumstance, in a highly specific manner. If you’re traveling at a fairly high speed and you’re not confident someone behind you can see someone turning in front of you, a quick three flashes of your turn signal right as you brake can effectively communicate to following motorists that the braking could be more than a momentary delay. If I have the room I much prefer to move over in the lane to reveal the signal of the turning motorist. When that’s not possible, this trick can prevent a collision. I’m confident it has done so for me at least once.

These are the kinds of things that will keep the mobile sterilization squads away in Bozekistan. Watch for a future post about lane discipline on limited-access highways. 

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