How many of you knew that your motor vehicle is considered a dangerous weapon?
That’s right - just as dangerous as a gun, a knife, a baseball bat, or a calphalon frying pan. One of the easiest ways to minimize the possible danger of your vehicle, is to not drive it.

Not especially helpful, but true none the less.

But for those of you who insist on needing a car to take you to work, school, or the mall, here are four quick tips to minimize the possibility of causing your own, or someone else’s death, while you are on the road.

• Tip #1: Eliminate, or minimize use of the mobile phone, unless you have a hands-free device. This will allow you to stay focused on the task at hand, namely, driving the car.
• Tip #2: Avoid use of the wiper system unless you are the only car on the road. This will prevent other drivers from losing control of their vehicle, and running in to you as they attempt to see through a smeared windshield.
• Tip #3: Do not eat in the car. Not only is this a sign of low class, but when that ketchup drips on your pants, you’re going to jerk the steering wheel left and bounce off the median. Also try to avoid drinking hot liquids in the car - the outcome is the same.
• Tip #4: Indicators. This is the main focus of this article. Some people like to call these turn signals, but in actuality, they are properly termed indicators. Use them. (see below for more detail)

Every car has them. Indicators are not an option like the premium package, or the sport suspension. Your car has them, my car has them, every car on the planet has them. The difference is whether you actually use them or not. Indicators are not only a courtesy feature, but they are also a safety feature. Let’s examine both cases.

Courtesy:

Isn’t it nice to know when the car up in front of you would like to move into your lane? It’s helpful to see that flashing light go on, so that you can ease off the gas a bit, and allow them to merge over. It’s common courtesy to let the drivers around you know when you might be moving unexpectedly through the lanes.

Another courteous use of the indicator is in neighbourhood driving. An indicator shows a pedestrian that you are interested in making a turn. They might think twice before walking out into the street if they see that orange light flashing, letting them know that you’re about to turn their way. Courtesy. Awareness. It’s a silent and visible way to prevent you from having to roll your window down and scream “MOVE OUT OF THE WAY! I’M COMING THROUGH!”

Safety:

The most important reason to use your indicators, is safety. Instead of weaving in and out of traffic, with no indication to other drivers as to where you are headed next, you are setting yourself, and others, up for disaster. What if another car is trying to merge into the same lane that you are? They have their indicator on, so other cars are giving them room. But you do not. Therefore, no one is paying any attention to you, and by the time they see you, you’ve already hooked your bumper into theirs and you’re both flying into the ditch on the side of the road.

Again with the pedestrians. Let’s say you come up to a right turn, and you don’t turn on your indicator. Out steps the pedestrian thinking that you are continuing straight. Off they go to the hospital after you plow them over when you turn. It’s not ok to then shout out of your window, “Didn’t you see me turning??”, because no, they didn’t…you never indicated that you were going to turn.

Most indicators are in the same place on every car…on the steering column. There is no excuse for not knowing their location, because it does not differ from car to car. It’s always a stalk sticking out of the side of the steering column. Driving someone else’s car is not an excuse. It’s in the same place it is on your car. Learn it. Use it.

Practice good indication, and save yourself, or someone else today.

This sarcastic entry was posted on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 2:55 pm and is filed under Awareness, Vehicles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.