Turn signals as we know them today were invented somewhere around 1907. They are typically activated by a stalk, stick, lever, or whatever else you wish to call it, on the left side of the steering column.
Based on some reports, drivers fail to properly activate or deactivate their turn signals over 750 billion times per year. The neglect of turn signals results in nearly 2 million accidents per year while distracted driving results in approximately 950.000 accidents (based on data from. 2012).
I have been noticing an increasing failure to use turn signals in our area. I have been in situations both walking and driving where I have almost been hit as a result of a driver failing to activate or deactivate their turn signal. I have also set at an intersection waiting to turn when driver after driver turns without a turn signal on causing unneeded delays in traffic. I know, better safe than sorry.
It is aggravating when something as simple as a stick and light bulb or two that have been around for over a hundred years is so difficult for drivers to uses properly. Is it sheer ignorance, lack of consideration for other drivers, failure to operate a motor vehicle safely, or some other reason?
I know that federal and international laws and regulations are fairly strict regarding how auto makers must implement turn signals. With this understanding and the statistics referenced above, I think that turn signals are installed on our vehicles as safety devices.
I don't think that those pretty little blinky things in yellow or red are there for looks. As a matter of fact, I think that the manufacturers could design some really unique cars if they didn't have to include all of the safety devices we have on our cars today.
At this point, what are we to do? Maybe everyone could at least use their turn signals when they are turning from one roadway to another. Maybe they could also use their turn signals while changing lanes on multi lane roads and highways. Maybe they could follow at least one portion of our local traffic laws and improve the level of safety on our roads for our fellow drivers and pedestrians alike.
--- source data ---
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/turn-signal-neglect-results-in-over-twice-as-many-crashes-as-dis/
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