Driving Better: Turn Signals

In that cesspool known as NextDoor.com, I often see people complaining about other drivers. I tend to poo-pooh the poster and commenters because they certainly can’t be perfect like me, the only guy in the state who rides a motorcycle and use turn signals.

For all their concern for proper driving etiquette, I don’t seem to encounter these folks on the roads, as there are plenty of people who don’t use their turn signals. And the latest trend these days (“these days” could be “the past 10 years, for all I know) is for people to signal right when they are entering another lane. I thought the purpose of the turn signal was intention? There is no intention when there is no pause between signal and movement.

Here are other thoughts about turn signals that can make you a better driver:

• Merging: Using your turn signal show you’re planning to turn into my lane, especially if I happen to miss the sign showing an upcoming merge. Most people don’t, but since the signal about communication, why not tell the rest of us on the road?
• Turn lane—headed towards me: Ever try to make a left turn against traffic, only to have to wait for an oncoming car to pass? But then, it seems that oncoming car also wishes to turn in the same direction, but you can’t know because (s)he doesn’t communicate this via turn signal. I am sure you value efficiency while driving, so a signal from an approaching car actually may give you a chance to beat him/her to the punch.
• And what if an oncoming car wants to turn to your right? In case you don’t know, a motorcyclist’s nightmare is when a car turns in front of him or her, leading to a collision. As such, seeing a turn signal as I approach familiarizes me with what I can anticipate in a worst-case scenario. Especially in two-way traffic (versus at an intersection), it’s sometimes difficult to notice a car is positioned to turn while I approach, so that little bit of light makes all the difference.
• Turn lane—same direction: I don’t understand why people turn into a turn lane but only put the turn signal afterwards. Why not do it to show your intention before?

If you haven’t figured it out, these observation aren’t really about a crabby motorcyclist, as they also pertain to your safety. Now, if we could get other motorcyclists to use their turn signals, we’d be all set.