Do you signal?

Do vehicle turn signals serves any purpose? You know, the stalk on the left or right of the steering column – you flick it up or down so that the slobs driving behind you can see which way you are turning.

Prescribed uses for the turn signals are when you change lanes on the highway, turn at a junction, exit into a ramp off the highway or when you are stopped by the road side. Yet hardly anyone uses them, as far as I can see.

There are instances where drivers turn at a junction without signalling, making the following vehicle perform an emergency stop to avoid rear-ending the offending one. There are also jokers who flick on their turn indicators just 20ft before turning and expect the vehicle behind to react in time. Might as well signal after the turn, sheesh.

Some of the worst offenders I have seen are those driving high end continental marques; they don't seem to know the turn indicator stalk exist in their cars. Perhaps it's more a matter of arrogance on the drivers' part - after all, they are driving better cars than the riff-raff behind them. Or perhaps they are actually trying to prevent wear and tear to the stalk switches – yes, I have actually heard of this measure. Similar to what some drivers do to prolong life spans of their headlight bulbs; they switch on the lights only when it gets so dark that only a bat can see its way around. Case of being penny wise and pound foolish – what does a stalk switch or bulb cost compared to a read end collision or accident?

I am also sure we have seen motorists turning on the hazard lights when driving in heavy rain. These poor misguided souls have no inkling that hazard lights are meant to be used only when your vehicle has broken down and is stationary on the road. Using them when the vehicle is moving can lead to other drivers misjudging your actions. The consequences can only be imagined only too vividly.

I suppose it takes all kinds to make up this world. It just happens you get to meet the worst examples on the road. It is not the car that kills; it is the nut behind the wheel.Be careful, what more can I say.