Living in the Detroit metro area, it amazes me how few people actually use turn signals. It's just an unsafe, inconsiderate habit. Sometimes it's a generational thing. Their parents didn't do it so they don't do it. Sometimes it's laziness, sometimes it's the fact that humans only have two hands. One for the cell phone, one for the cigarette... Shoot! No more hands for holding the steering wheel let alone move the turn signal stalk.
I look at turn signal non-use this way. Somebody not using them is just as bad as putting the left turn signal on when I intend to turn right (or visa versa). The point is, the people around me wouldn't know what my intentions are.
Then there are those who use them, but put them on way too early. You're behind them just waiting and waiting for them to slow down to make a turn. But the biggest turn signal abuse is when a slow driver turns on the signal as if it's a "hall pass" giving them the right to the next lane, no matter how quickly traffic is flowing in that lane. The turn signal does not have magical powers. I repeat: The turn signal does not have magical powers!
I should be fair though. Sometimes people don't use turn signals because they think another driver might see the flashing lights and block them to prevent the desired lane change. My solution to this is to use a few blinks with just the right amount of advanced notice.
Remember: Nobody's psychic; use your damn turn signals!
+ Atul
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