Ok. Here’s another rant in my mini-series of driver education. The thing you use when you turn or change lanes is called a turn signal or indicator. Not a turn request-for-permission-please or any such thing. It is used to indicate to others your intent, not request permission. Signal that you’re changing lanes and change lanes already. If necessary, alter your speed to match the flow of traffic of the lane into which you’re changing. As a person who uses the turn signal as mentioned, I use it and follow with action immediately. As someone who is driving, I appreciate when others use it similarly. Don’t drive 1 mph slower than me, be 10 car lengths ahead and put on your turn signal and sit there waiting for me to roll out an invitation. Just come over! All traffic will move more smoothly if we adhere to these principles.

Next in my series? A rant on what merging traffic means and how it’s supposed to be done.

Tags: change lanes, changing lanes, driver education, driving, traffic, turn signal