It’s OK to blink more often

If I said only the words "signal lights" to you, what would be the first thing that comes to mind?

That people don't use them. And in the same breath, you probably called those people idiots ... or worse.

So there I am, minding my own business driving down a four-lane divided street, when, out of the blue, a sedan heading in the same direction swerves in front of me.

The driver slams on the brakes and stops cold, bringing two lanes of traffic to a dramatic halt. People begin honking and driving around his vehicle. Had his car broken down? No. Suddenly and without warning, the guy turns left into oncoming traffic, across the opposing two lanes ... more honking horns and screeching tires. Was the man drunk? Possibly, or more likely, he was on his way to the mall. Not that anyone along the way knew it.

The story is the same every day, replayed throughout cities and towns everywhere: near misses, crashes and sheer mayhem because some driver(s) are too lazy/forgetful/incompetent/indifferent (or all of the above) to let others on the road know what they're doing.

The problem? Turning indicators. Well, actually, the indicators are not the problem. It's the fact that some people, for whatever inexcusable reason, just don't use them.

Signaling was one of the first things we all learned in driver's education class. Oh, I'm going to assume that everyone behind the wheel of a car actually has a valid driver's license, which required that a test be passed. I'll even go so far as to believe that the offenders are actually capable of operating heavy machinery. I'm not 100 percent sure about that one, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

So, dear readers, help me understand why some people can't or won't extend the simple lawful courtesy of letting us know if they're going to turn. Let me rephrase that. Signaling is the law, not just courtesy, and for very good reason. By letting everyone else on the road know what you're doing, they can prepare ... for whatever. And that can prevent confusion, crashes and can even save lives.

That little signal stalk located on the steering column (left, left, leffffffffft, down, dowwwwwwn, that's it) is actually the greatest thing since mind reading. And since few of us can actually read minds (unless you're a husband, and then you're supposed to be able to read your wife's mind) it becomes all the more imperative to use it (down means left, up means right ... now you've got it).

So why do some drivers ignore the little plastic stick that makes the lights go blinkity-blink?

Is it difficult? Are they afraid? Are their hands busy dialing numbers on a cellphone? Does the car have a mind of its own?

Help me out here. Understanding the problem is half the battle.

They point, click and drag, hunt and peck at computer keyboards all day long. I know their fingers work. And I'm positive that some of them know how to work their finger, especially when they're angry, like the guy heading to the mall. So, it's beyond me why there are people out there who are too lazy or inconsiderate to flick a simple turn signal to let others know, "hey, I'll be barreling into your lane in two seconds whether you like it or not. Prepare for it."

Maybe it actually is just too difficult to use. No, wait, I have a niece in preschool who has mastered the concept. The kid can't tie her shoes, but she has the signal thing down (I'd let her drive more often, but I have to work the pedals). What does that say about the drivers out there who don't use them?

Perhaps they could think of it as burning calories, improving manual dexterity ... I don't know. Actually, I do know. They can think of it as saving their own life.

There you go. Consider this a public-service announcement. I can see the newspaper ad now: "Not using your signal is going to get you in a real mess one of these days ... either because you cause a crash with your blatant disregard for, or fear of, indicators, or because someone even more frustrated is going to get out of their car and club you. " Print 'er up, I'll pay for it myself.

A little consideration, a little communication is all I'm asking for. We can't make it work if we're all not going to play the same game by the same rules. It's time to take signaling seriously, you know, once everyone trades up to a vehicle that actually has signal lights.

Hey, sometimes sarcasm works.

You can email Rhonda by logging on to www.wheelbasemedia.com and clicking the contact link. Wheelbase Media is a worldwide provider of automotive news and feature stories.