Do you signal when changing lanes? Fifty percent or more (my estimate) of the drivers on the roads in my area have opted out of using their turn signal. (I still call it a blinker.) It seems turn signals are going the way of the cassette deck. I notice it most on the highways and interstate when drivers change lanes. Some drivers signal every other lane change, while other drivers never bother at all.  On the rare occasion I forget to activate the turn signal, I usually receive a horn blast from the offended driver in the next lane. Meanwhile others are breezing down the freeway freely cruising from lane to lane oblivious of other motorists. 

I frequently encounter  motorists who whip in front of me with no signal only to engage the turn signal a minute later and steer into an empty lane. Apparently for some, alerting other drivers to a lane change depends upon whim. The intermittent or occasional signal users are probably distracted by the cell phone or anticipating their stressful work day.  The folks who never use the turn signal however come across arrogant, inconsiderate and frankly narcissistic.

 If the turn signal was tricky to handle or awkward to reach I might make allowances, but automobiles and trucks are designed by engineers who placed the turn signal in exactly the right location. It’s so easy to use, you can practically activate it with a thought. Well your thought plus a small movement of your little finger will launch the signal, so ease of use is not the issue. The issue is people don’t care. The issue is self focus, distraction, stress and hurry. The disappearing turn signal is in inanimate sign of our times and people who don’t use them really annoy me. User your blinker people!  Whew…feels good to get that out!