Journalism / Humble Request for Safer Driving

Like most people in Hammond, you have probably noticed a basic driving practice that is often forgotten by daily commuters. Somewhere along the lines, people managed to disregard the existence of the turn signals that all cars are equipped with, leading one to believe that perhaps they are unnecessary. The problem is that they are without a doubt imperative to courteous and – most importantly – safe driving.
If I were to hit a car in front of me while driving, it would in most cases be legally my fault. Understandable, considering that there is supposed to be at least one car length between moving vehicles to give plenty of brake time, with the distance varying depending on speeds. What is not understandable is why, knowing this, people still choose to not use their turn signals. Would you intentionally wish to cause the person behind you to hit your car so that you can collect on ill-gotten insurance? We hope the answer is “No.”
Most of what I see on the roads is either not using the turn signals at all when turning or changing lanes or using them mid-turn, after the brakes have already been applied. Some people might justify it by saying that the brake lights should be enough for the driver behind them to know a turn is coming up or that there is plenty of space to jump lanes without getting in others’ ways. Seems logical, but how is the driver behind you supposed to know that you are about to enter his lane or if you are turning (in who knows what direction) or simply slowing down or even stopping altogether?
Turn signals are intended to be predicative, meaning they are there to help drivers around you predict what your next action might be. It is not just about courtesy to fellow drivers; it is about safety. The difference between lightly applying pressure to the brakes and slamming on them could give way to the difference between slowing down for a turning driver and a pileup on a busy road. It may sound like an extreme situation, but it is a very real possibility. With drivers controlling thousands of pounds of metal at speeds that only serve to increase the thousands of pounds of force behind them, it is incredibly important that precautions be taken to ensure the safety of self and others.
Turn signals are to be used about 100 feet before the turn, prior to applying the brakes, and when changing lanes. Using turn signals before applying the brakes lets any drivers behind you know that you will soon be turning and that they should begin braking to accommodate your slower speed. If there are any other cars on the road, it should be second nature to use a turn signal before changing lanes. It is disconcerting and dangerous to others to suddenly jump in front of or between other vehicles. The turn signal is imperative to helping other drivers predict your next action on the roads.
It scares and astounds me how few people regularly use their blinkers. People tend to learn quickly that defensive driving is a must because you just cannot predict what the person in the lane next to you is going to do. Heaven forbid you should be distracted in any way, reducing your reaction time, because the driver in front of you could turn without any forewarning whatsoever. Forgetting to use a blinker seems harmless – when you take out the fact that it is very rude – but it is another facet of careless driving that contributes to the thousands of vehicular accidents every year.
This is not a rant or a holier-than-thou article. This is a plea for everyone to drive more safely, pointedly here in using turn signals. Personal safety on the roads is always an issue, and few can afford to fix fender benders over careless mistakes in today’s economy, let alone more expensive repairs for more serious accidents.
Please, my fellow residents of Hammond and students of Southeastern Louisiana University, use your turn signals while driving. It shows courtesy and respect to fellow drivers, and it makes the road safer for all of us.

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