Turn Signals

USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL!!!  These devices aren't options when you buy your car for a reason.  They let the drivers around you know your intentions and can react accordingly.  This includes changing lanes.  Actually, I believe it to be even more important to use them when changing lanes because when you're turning your brake lights act as a signal whereas you can change lanes without braking.  OK, OK, so you can turn your car without braking, but most people do brake.  Anyhow, please, please use your turn signals people.  Failure to use your turn signal to change lanes or turn is technically against the law if it affects the operation of another vehicle, i.e. causes an accident.

Turning

Let's start with the middle turn lane.  One of my big pet peeves is when someone slows down almost to a stop before getting into the middle turn lane to make a left turn.  This defeats the purpose of having the lane their in the first place which is to keep traffic flowing.  When you want to make a left turn and their is a middle turn lane:  turn your signal on, get in the turn lane and then slow down or stop as needed before making the turn.

OK, now for the turn itself.  If you are making a turn where you don't have to stop to for traffice or a stop light/sign, this is how to do it without slowing down traffic behind you too much:  Turn on you signal ~100 ft before the turn, begin to slow down by letting off of the gas,brake as needed when you get close to the turn , when you begin the turn itself let off the brake, about half way through the turn begin to accelerate and let the engine pull you through the turn.  Please, please don't slow down almost to a stop or continue to brake clear through turn.

I may seem to be a very impatient driver (AHEM, Mom!!).  I'm really not.  If people would just learn how to drive properly, then I'd have no reason to get upset.  I'm sorry, but I spend enough time in my car.  I do like to drive just to take a drive, especially on winding roads, but that is because I own a car that is built for that kind of driving and it's really fun.  Most of the time I'm driving just to get from point A to point B and I hate wasting time that I could use doing something useful or fun.

Cell Phones

When is the state governments going to finally put their foots down and ban the use of cell phones while driving a vehicle?  A University of Utah study shows that using hand-held or hands-free cell phones impairs the driver similar to that of driving while drunk.  You have enough to worry about while driving, don't add to it.  I really hope that I don't have to say any more on this subject.  If you honestly think that it is OK to talk on the phone while driving, then you should be strung up for stupidity.

 

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