I've generally not got anything productive to rant about with out being provoked or inspired. So give me a suggestion, ask a question, I'll see what I can come up with.
Daily P.I.T.A. Bread 2007-09-27
Posted September 27th, 2007 at 05:46 PM by Royal P.I.T.A.
Turn Signals: "What's that clickin' noise?"
Much to my dismay, I have tried to no avail, at least as of yet, to find the year in which turn signals became mandatory on all vehicles. It amazes me that I can find all manner of innate mundane crap on the Internet, and yet there is no answer to this question. However, the answer to my real question is almost as indeterminable as the preceding: Why don't people use, understand, and respect turn signals?
Look, I understand that some people are just rude, and most kids are just idiots on the road, I really do. I get that to some it may seem an inconvenience that takes their attention away from say... a good book, or text messaging. Maybe something even as simple as holding the next "Slimmer and smaller" technology found in a cellular phone to their ear. However, what I don't get is what makes a person speed up to prevent someone from changing lanes when they obviously need or want to. What makes sparks in the otherwise comatose brain of a person on the freeway who won't let someone over even when, and especially, the person who is trying to merge is traveling at a greater speed.
What amount of fortitude does it take to be minding your own business, driving as slow as you could possibly want to, UNTIL someone wants to get around you, at which point you accelerate to the same speed or greater for only as long as it takes for the person who wants to merge to give up? That or get stuck behind another slow or even slower vehicle until you pass and then return to your original, socially unacceptable... no socially deviant speed (Which in most cases is a stretch of the word as there is NO manner of speed occurring.
Now, before I continue, let me explain that I'm not talking about anyone who has actually accomplished the speed limit, regardless of what lane they're driving in. I'm referring to the people who are doing at least 10 below backing up traffic as far as the eye can see. My personal favorite are the people who won't let you over in stop and go traffic, when you have to get over due to an accident or road work. Apparently, they've got some illusion that being behind you at 5-10 miles per hour will be far worse than being in front of you. (Generally, these are the same people that nearly come to a complete stop to gaze at the sight of someone else's misfortune.)
The technical term for a turn signal is "Directional Indicator". See that!? It's purpose is in the name! It is used to indicate a turn or a lane change. It's not only to be used while you're merging or turning, but before you do so to indicate to other drivers what your intent is. Just as bad as the people I described above are the people who pay no attention to the road ahead of them and train their eyes on the lane next to them as if they're trying to utilize telepathy to interact with other drivers to get them to slow down and allow them to merge, never EVER so much as touching the lever for the turn signal. Turn it on and see what happens. My wife does this and it drives me up a wall. Turn it on and someone... eventually... hopefully will let you over. Don't just assume that they know what you want to do. Most of them aren't even paying attention to the road anyway. (That's another rant for another time...)
Not only is using a turn signal the respectful thing to do, it's also the law. You can actually be stopped and ticketed for not using a turn signal. I actually know a woman who was pulled over and ticketed for not using her turn signal in the turn only lane. I promise you the excuse "I was talking on my phone, so I couldn't use it..." will not be enough to get you out of the ticket. Get a headset or a hands free kit and problem averted. I've been in a car when the driver was pulled over and, that's right, ticketed for not using a turn signal on the freeway (Or highway depending on what area you're from) and there wasn't even any vehicles close to us.
I'm not saying I'm perfect, I know there's been times where I haven't used my signal. I'm sure what ever reason I had wasn't a good one. However, please people, do what you're supposed to do. Have a little courtesy on the road and you might find that you'll still get where you're going in the same amount of time. If everyone did, you might even get there a bit sooner.
Much to my dismay, I have tried to no avail, at least as of yet, to find the year in which turn signals became mandatory on all vehicles. It amazes me that I can find all manner of innate mundane crap on the Internet, and yet there is no answer to this question. However, the answer to my real question is almost as indeterminable as the preceding: Why don't people use, understand, and respect turn signals?
Look, I understand that some people are just rude, and most kids are just idiots on the road, I really do. I get that to some it may seem an inconvenience that takes their attention away from say... a good book, or text messaging. Maybe something even as simple as holding the next "Slimmer and smaller" technology found in a cellular phone to their ear. However, what I don't get is what makes a person speed up to prevent someone from changing lanes when they obviously need or want to. What makes sparks in the otherwise comatose brain of a person on the freeway who won't let someone over even when, and especially, the person who is trying to merge is traveling at a greater speed.
What amount of fortitude does it take to be minding your own business, driving as slow as you could possibly want to, UNTIL someone wants to get around you, at which point you accelerate to the same speed or greater for only as long as it takes for the person who wants to merge to give up? That or get stuck behind another slow or even slower vehicle until you pass and then return to your original, socially unacceptable... no socially deviant speed (Which in most cases is a stretch of the word as there is NO manner of speed occurring.
Now, before I continue, let me explain that I'm not talking about anyone who has actually accomplished the speed limit, regardless of what lane they're driving in. I'm referring to the people who are doing at least 10 below backing up traffic as far as the eye can see. My personal favorite are the people who won't let you over in stop and go traffic, when you have to get over due to an accident or road work. Apparently, they've got some illusion that being behind you at 5-10 miles per hour will be far worse than being in front of you. (Generally, these are the same people that nearly come to a complete stop to gaze at the sight of someone else's misfortune.)
The technical term for a turn signal is "Directional Indicator". See that!? It's purpose is in the name! It is used to indicate a turn or a lane change. It's not only to be used while you're merging or turning, but before you do so to indicate to other drivers what your intent is. Just as bad as the people I described above are the people who pay no attention to the road ahead of them and train their eyes on the lane next to them as if they're trying to utilize telepathy to interact with other drivers to get them to slow down and allow them to merge, never EVER so much as touching the lever for the turn signal. Turn it on and see what happens. My wife does this and it drives me up a wall. Turn it on and someone... eventually... hopefully will let you over. Don't just assume that they know what you want to do. Most of them aren't even paying attention to the road anyway. (That's another rant for another time...)
Not only is using a turn signal the respectful thing to do, it's also the law. You can actually be stopped and ticketed for not using a turn signal. I actually know a woman who was pulled over and ticketed for not using her turn signal in the turn only lane. I promise you the excuse "I was talking on my phone, so I couldn't use it..." will not be enough to get you out of the ticket. Get a headset or a hands free kit and problem averted. I've been in a car when the driver was pulled over and, that's right, ticketed for not using a turn signal on the freeway (Or highway depending on what area you're from) and there wasn't even any vehicles close to us.
I'm not saying I'm perfect, I know there's been times where I haven't used my signal. I'm sure what ever reason I had wasn't a good one. However, please people, do what you're supposed to do. Have a little courtesy on the road and you might find that you'll still get where you're going in the same amount of time. If everyone did, you might even get there a bit sooner.
Total Comments 4
Comments
 |  Wow, you ate a big bowl of Bitch Flakes this morning didn't you? |
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| |  LOL, this is almost a daily occurence. Doesn't take mitchflakes, I mean bitchflakes when you deal with it every day. |
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| |  It seems that you have driven through the Great state of Nebraska too. God, had to go through it twice this month, worse drivers on the planet. |
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| | Nebraska's...... not as bad as Missouri, which is far greater than the drive through Iowa. Kansas is a more exciting drive. I think the only worse drive in the states is Texas, the WHOLE DAMN STATE, and the worst when dealing with other drivers is Austin, TX. I've never driven through there without almost getting sideswiped, rear ended, run off into a ditch... I'm surprised anyone has ever survived it. Missouri is worse than California for traffic, trust me. |
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Recent Blog Entries by Royal P.I.T.A.
- Daily P.I.T.A. Bread 2007-09-28 (September 28th, 2007)
- What he says is true... (September 27th, 2007)
- Daily P.I.T.A. Bread 2007-09-27 (September 27th, 2007)
Royal P.I.T.A.
