Fuel for Thought

Unindicated Intentions

There was a time, not that long ago, when turn signals were considered a basic part of driving. You know, like the steering wheel, or the brake pedal, or the general idea that you shouldn’t just launch your vehicle into traffic like you’re testing the aerodynamics of a refrigerator. Turn signals were invented for one simple purpose, to indicate your intentions. That’s it. Not to decorate the corners of your car. Not to give your headlights some friends. Not to serve as optional accessories like heated seats or a sunroof. They were put there so the rest of us could have a clue about what you’re planning to do before you do it.
But somewhere along the way, a whole chunk of drivers decided that using a turn signal is either beneath them or simply too much work. Maybe they think it’s a subscription feature or maybe they believe the car will charge them per blink. Perhaps they assume the rest of us are psychic or that they will run out of blinker fluid. Whatever the reason, the result is the same, you’re cruising along, minding your business, and suddenly the vehicle in front of you slams on the brakes like they just spotted a ghost. No signal. No warning. No indication of anything except the fact that they’re about to ruin your day.
Then there’s the other group, you know, the ones who technically use their turn signals, but only in the same way someone technically shows up to work when they walk in at 4:59 and leave at 5:00. These are the last second blinkers. They slow down first, confuse everyone behind them, and then, once the damage is already done, they give you a single courtesy blink. One lonely flash. Like the vehicle is saying, “Oh, by the way, I’m turning. Thought you’d like to know. Good luck with whatever you’ve got going on back there.”
Improper use doesn’t even begin to cover it. It’s like watching someone put on deodorant after they’ve already run a marathon. The effort is appreciated, but the timing is way off.
Turn signals are supposed to be a communication tool. A simple, universal language. Blink left, you go left. Blink right, you go right. Blink neither, and you’re either going straight or you’re one of those people who thinks the rest of us should just figure it out.
The funniest part is that modern vehicles practically do the work for you. Some of them have lane change tap signals, many have auto cancel (if you would just turn it on, you don’t even have to bother turning it off). Most even have giant digital dashboards that light up like a Christmas tree if you so much as breathe near the turn signal stalk. And still, people act like activating it requires a blood oath.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are out here trying to predict the future. Is this person turning? Are they slowing down because of a hazard? Are they lost? Are they texting? Are they just braking for the sheer thrill of it? Who knows. Certainly not the people behind them.
So yes, all indications point to one thing, we, as a society, have collectively forgotten how to use the one tool designed to prevent half the nonsense we see on the road every day. And until people rediscover the magical little lever on the left side of their steering column, the rest of us will continue living in a world where every lane change is a surprise and every intersection is a trust exercise.

The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.
-  John Burroughs

See you down the road,
Greg