The White House View
Around the horn 12/18/2010
 
  I have a few pet peeves, and occasionally like to vent them. One of my biggest seems to be worse in Roanoke than in any other place I travel to. According to driving experts, the only major way  to communicate with other drivers is to use your turn signals. I have had some argue that a horn is just as important. Granted a horn gets secondary attention from pedestrians, and sometimes from other drivers. Turn signals dominate decision making while driving. A  horn is required to be on a car, but not required to be used.
   A turn signal on the other hand, is required to be on a car, and used. It is against the law to not use your turn signal. Why do most of the citizens of Roanoke not use turn signals? Not using turn signals is not only dangerous, but it impedes the smooth flow of traffic that those in a hurry (and usually not using a turn signal) should seem to desire.
  It is so bad now that when the minority driver that does use turn signals comes by, we tend to not believe them. We think it is our grand parent driving around with the turn signal on forever! I pulled on to Franklin Road after a driver had his signal on, and he slammed the brakes and cursed (with graphic gestures) at me till I was on the 581 interstate.
  I decided to try to find out why folks don't use their turn signals.  I researched online and did not find any compelling reason. I observed many people (in just a few hours), and nothing clicked. One afternoon I was at the stoplight at Elm Ave. and Jefferson. The cars coming off the interstate were lined up. Being bored, I started watching the turning cars, and none out of 14 used a turn signal. I looked over at a car in the other lane, and saw a "Shut Up and Drive" sticker on the bumper. Yeah, I thought, then watched as the last two of 14 cars went through the light. It reallyincensed me that those last two car drivers were yakking on a cell phone.
  I went on down the road and a thought hit me. I turned left onto I-581, and drove from there, to Orange Ave, then on to Blue Ridge with one hand on my ear, and one on the wheel. Out of 9 opportunities to use my turn signal, I could only do it one time. I was stunned. It appeared to be that there was a correlation here. Could it be that most folks do not use turn signals because they are talking on cell phones?
  In the last two months, I have been watching very closely, and my theory is proving out. Time after time, those not using turn signals, are using cell phones. Try this, hold your hand up to your ear, like you are talking on a cell phone. Drive normally. Can you use a turn signal in an automatic? What about a manual gear? If you are like most of us mortals, you cannot. I have also observed a precious few who can use a cell phone and a turn signal. Even with an automatic, it is almost impossible to use a turn signal!
  I am proposing a law that dictates  hands free cell phone use in cars. There is even a legal argument to made that a cell phone is an accessory that causes you to violate the law, and can make you civilly and criminally liable. Perhaps then, the next time you break the law, and don't use your major (and legally required) method of communication, you will be ticketed and punished. That way, we who obey the law, use our turn signals, and decrease the safety risk for all, can rest better for doing the right thing.
Next: Not using turn signals in the critically important lane change!
 


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