Dear Drivers, About That Turn Signal

The rules of the road are probably some of the most broken rules in the world, second only behind Monopoly. Few stay at the actual speed limit, headlights are almost never used unless it's pitch black, but by far the most infuriating is the lack of turn signals being used.

I may not be a perfect driver, I'll be the first to admit my parking jobs are never even, my speed regulation is a nerve-wracking mess for my mother, but I always use my turn signal. Turning in a parking lot? Turn signal. Turning into a driveway? Turn signal. Picking a pump at the gas station? Turn signal.

I can understand not using it as religiously as I do. But the terrifying lack of it has caused many a slammed brakes, muffled curse and high splash of anxiety.

So, to the drivers, especially in the south, a quick letter:

When moving to a new lane, I understand that there's a lot happening. If it's only the two of us, with plenty of space, forgoing the turn signal is forgivable. However, on the highway, with drivers around seventy miles per hour, the signal is not only appreciated, it is mandatory. You don't wanna die, I don't wanna be dead, let's come to a happy medium and just use your blinker.

When turning, it may not be immediately clear that you should signal. Perhaps you think it doesn't matter, but it really does. Can I pull up beside you, to turn the other way? Can I justify stopping early to people behind me? Use your turn signal, it helps us all.

All in all, it's not a fancy decoration or "ooooh, what's this" y'all. This is one of the first lessons of driver's ed. Use. Your. Blinker. Just so the rest of us don't hit you, someone else, or burn out our brakes. If we didn't need it, GMC, Toyota and such would stop making it. But they haven't. So please, for the love all things we hold dear, use the goddamn turn signal.