I admit it. When it comes to driving, I tend to be a little frenetic, especially when I'm by myself. I try to calm down when I'm escorting a passenger or two whose lives are depending on my steering capabilities; but most of the time, you will find me with my windows rolled down, music blaring (iPod hookups for cars are a beautiful thing, true?), and normally in a rush to get to wherever it is that I need to be.
But regardless of my shortcomings in the driving department, there is one thing that I, without fail, will do every time while driving--turn on my blinker/turn signal. It really wouldn't matter if I were on the brink of death or had to pee ever so badly: I would still find the time and/or way to turn on that darn blinker.
Why is this so important to me? First off, I'm about the most self-conscious person ever. And I mean ever. I care so much about what others think about me (driving inabilities aside) that I will do anything to get approval from others. And I mean anything. Too many times I have cringed while sitting in the passenger seat as one of my parents abuses his or her privilege of using the blessing that is the turn signal. Oh my . . . what those people in that car behind us must be thinking of us right now!
But it's not just that. I also wonder how many people die each year because some idiot (sorry Mom and Dad) refuses to exert .0084 joules of energy by lifting his or her hand 4 inches off the steering wheel to hit a plastic stick that produces a noise and a light just so the person in the automobile behind them doesn't meet his horrible demise. Sigh . . . selfishness really is a terrible thing, is it not?
Another car meets its Maker after falling prey to turn signal misuse
So please--I implore you--do the right thing. Yes, that *clucking* noise is a nuisance. Yes, I'm sure you are wasting gas by turning it on. But the man who invented the turn signal needs you (Oscar J. Simler, bless you!). The person in the coolish jalopy behind you needs you. I need you.
Save a life.
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