Uhffected

Blinker Bite

I avoid printing things out on paper if I can, avoid using paper and styrofoam products at all costs, e-mail instead of fax, text msg instead of call, seeking to minimize waste and maximize efficiency where I can. That is why I don't always use my turn signal when I'm driving.

When learning to drive, I was told "use your signal when you turn or do lane changes", but that's really minimal guidance. The original reason was probably for drivers to use the signal to give other drivers fair warning of their intentions. Problems arise with the multiple interpretations of "use your signal when you turn or do lane changes."

Some people will take the phrase to mean that using a signal reserves your right to perform the action. Others use it to signal that an action is in progress. Others realize it often means nothing to other drivers and don't use it at all while others see that people will try to prevent a lane change if they see a signal blink on. Since the "use your signal" instruction was so vague in its intentions, this has lead to inconsistent usage and confusion on the streets.

So given these issues, what policy do I apply to my signal usage? Always seeking to maximize efficiency, I have a few simple rules for when I do and do not use turn signals.

When preparing to turn, I will see if there's traffic behind me, and if so, signal before I apply the brakes. What this does is let the person behind me know why I will be applying the brakes soon. This way, if he or she chooses to go around, they won't have to worry that I'll just gun the engine and cut off their merge back into the lane. Also, they'll know not to get too close and cut themselves off from their options and not to try to pass me on the wrong side.

When changing lanes, I almost never use a signal because it warns other drivers of my intentions. In Indiana, use of a signal was a courtesy and there was usually so much space between cars that lane changes weren't an issue. In Maryland, the overcrowding has lead to highly territorial behavior in its motorists who guard their car and a 10 foot cushion all around quite zealously. Therefore, signaling a lane change has become akin to telling someone you're about to steal from them.

So instead of signaling my intent, I usually just take what I want which is usually 2 or 3 seconds of lane time before I exit from the road. This also gives the driver I'm getting in front of no time to try to speed up to prevent the lane change.

This may seem rather arrogant and incredibly annoying to most drivers, and that is a point I will concede. But knowing my personal driving habits, I am also quite tolerant of people who lane change without signaling and I'm more than happy to let people merge in front of me. I am an optimist when it comes to mergers and lane changers and believe that they will try to match the speed of traffic when possible, therefore posing no detriment to my forward progress. When I think that someone will merge into my lane and prevent me from continuing at my current speed, I will quickly look for routes around and lane change out of the situation if possible.

If you'd like to test this out, by all means, merge in front of me. Just don't be mad if you were going too slow and I pass you soon after. I won't tailgate, I won't honk, and I won't give you the finger because that's just a waste of time and effort.

See you in my rearview mirror.

Posted by argyle at February 5, 2005 12:54 PM