Failing to give proper signals – a person who fails to provide adequate and timely signals of intention to turn, partly turn, slow down, or stop is guilty of reckless driving. According to Paragraph 46.2-848 of the Virginia code, signals are required on backing, stopping, or turning.
Every driver who intends to back, stop, turn, or partly turn from a direct line shall first see that such movement can be made safely and, whenever the operation of any other vehicle may be affected by such movement, shall give the signals required in this article, plainly visible to the driver of such other vehicle, of his intention to make such movement.
Welcome to another installment of Driving in the Nation’s Capital. We looked at The Personal Autobahn Effect and Closing the Gap in the last two installments. I want to discuss turn signals, or blinkers, as we call them.
When I grew up in the West, blinkers could keep us entertained for hours. It would never fail that we would eventually come upon one of those big cruisers with the constant blinker. Those who stayed in continual blink mode while the driver was oblivious to the continuous click heard inside the car. Of course, we were subjected to snowbirds in the West – the big cruisers going down the road with the one blinker constantly flashing and no one apparently behind the wheel. And upon closer inspection, you would see two hands on the 10 and 2 positions of the steering wheel but still no head. You would imagine the little older adult swallowed by the large car, unable to look over the dashboard as they had their hands on the big steering wheel. They were oblivious to traffic, and they knew it.
Fast-forward to DC traffic, and we have a new source of irritation. The use of blinkers has evolved and now has become a nuisance. It’s somewhat optional—it’s the driver’s choice. We now have the Short Blink, the Non-Blink, the Wrong Blink, and the ever-famous It’s My Right Blink.
Turn Signals
When you plan to make a turn or enter or exit a highway, first give the proper turn signal, which is required by law. Develop a good habit of using turn signals or hand signals even if no other traffic is on the road. Signal when making turns, changing lanes, or entering or exiting highways, and always let the other driver know what you intend to do.
Signal three or four seconds before you change direction so other drivers will have time to react. If you plan to turn after clearing an intersection, wait to signal until you reach the intersection; otherwise, drivers on the road ahead may pull out in front of you. After you complete your move, be sure the turn signal stops flashing. Remember, always signal before changing lanes.
If the speed limit is more than 35 MPH, signal at least 100 feet before you reach the turning point.
For speeds less than 35 MPH, signal at least 50 feet in advance.
Short Blink
We all have seen this one. We get the obligatory single blink when the driver decides to change lanes or when completing half the turn. They feel obligated to notify the oncoming traffic instead of giving ample notification to the traffic following them. Get ready for it – blink – lane change – done.
Non-Blink
This one is a little harder to discern, but it’s there if you look for it – if you care to look for it. The car in front of you is cruising along and suddenly starts slowing down – slower and slower, but without a turn signal. Wait for it! You know he will turn, and now it becomes a guessing game as to which road gets the lucky idiot.
Wrong Blink
Now, this one could be a completely innocent mistake. We have seen a driver who signals one intention but travels in the opposite direction. Maybe it’s an engineering design flaw, but my left blinker comes on when I push down on the turn signal stalk. The driver got confused and thought the opposite was happening. My bad – it’s just another idiot on the road.
It’s My Right Blink
This one is famous in DC, and it’s the one that can get you in trouble. Drivers in DC have now assumed that if the blinker is on, it’s their right to change lanes or turn without regard to other traffic. Blinker on and over, they come into the other lane – it doesn’t matter if it’s already occupied. And now combine the Short Blink with the It’s My Right Blink, and it becomes a crowded party on the dance floor – within a blink of an eye, I’m suddenly swerving or stomping on my brakes to avoid having a side-on collision.
I think it’s great that the mandatory State Inspection checks the operation of the turn signals for all cars – I wish they would check the operation of the drivers, too. Idiots.
316 Expressions 