What is the most dangerous thing that you can do when you are driving on a crowded roadway with other drivers? Failing to signal is the perhaps one of the most dangerous things that drivers can do (or not do) when they are driving because using your turn signal lets other drivers know what your intentions are while you are traveling on a major road, highway or street.
Why is failing to signal so dangerous? The following example may help to illustrate the point. While driving on the highway last week, I was in the far right lane, when a fairly large size sport utility vehicle merged into my lane from the far left lane without indicating what their intentions were. Because of their actions, I had to slam on my brakes because as soon as they got into my lane, they immediately slowed down. Things like this can cause a series of unfortunate chain reactions if drivers aren t attentive.
In another example of failing to signal, I witnessed a driver, during rush hour, merge from the left lane into the right lane without signaling, which caused the drivers to slam on their brakes. One driver actually had to swerve into the lane next to him in order to avoid crashing into the other driver in front of him.
Finally, the most common type of failure to signal that I have witnessed in the North Carolina area has been when a driver is driving on a straight path and is preparing to make a right hand turn. However, before they make the turn, they in no way shape or form indicate that they are preparing to turn. As a result, what happens? They slow down to make the turn, but the other drivers behind the person don t realize that they are preparing to turn, which causes drivers to have to slam on their brakes. And for the unlucky person who is not paying attention, there is an excellent chance that they will become involved in a vehicular accident.
While I am driving, there are many people who don t use their turn signals while driving. However, why is it that this is the case? Why are so many people opposed to using turn signals? After all, there is a reason why there are turn signals in all vehicles. Before turn signals existed, people would signal where they were going to turn by putting their arms out of the car windows. You can see the remnants of this, with cyclists. Every time a cyclist shares the roadway with other vehicles, they are supposed to use arm signals in order to indicate where they are going. Not only is this a safety precaution for them, but it is also a safety precaution for other people who are behind the wheel of vehicles.
No matter who you are with or where you are driving, or even if you are on the roadways by yourself, it is a good idea to develop good driving habits beginning with learning how to use your turn signals. It will greatly benefit the drivers around you.
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