Every vehicle for (at least) the last fifty or sixty years, has possessed the little lever on the left hand side of the steering column. It's an inconspicuous little lever that is within reach of our fingers, requiring very little movement, if any, from control of the steering wheel in our motor vehicle. Some heavier equipment, has the same small device, only it's on the right hand side of the steering column. It takes a little adjustment, at first, to get used to it, but eventually, it becomes second nature.
There's no question what this device does, as everyone who operates a motor vehicle, should be well aware of what it's function is. Emphasis on should. However, as much as people should be familiar with it, there's a growing faction who either doesn't have a f*cking clue what the lever does, don't f*cking care what the lever does, or is just too f*cking lazy to use the lever as it's supposed to be used. The lever, of course, is the turn signal.
There's no question what this device does, as everyone who operates a motor vehicle, should be well aware of what it's function is. Emphasis on should. However, as much as people should be familiar with it, there's a growing faction who either doesn't have a f*cking clue what the lever does, don't f*cking care what the lever does, or is just too f*cking lazy to use the lever as it's supposed to be used. The lever, of course, is the turn signal.
Clicking of the turn signal, lights indicator lights located on the front and rear of your motor vehicle. The lights in front are amber in colour. The lights in rear are either amber, as well, or red. Whatever the case, the signals are on a flash relay, so as to better draw the attention of drivers around you. This practice is to (hopefully) make your travels throughout traffic, easier and safer.
However, I've been witnessing more and more, on a daily basis, the lack of care or attention to those of us who properly use the signal light. I especially notice it, everyday, as I'm in control of a very big rig. A large vehicle that requires a lot of room in order to transfer from one lane into another or around corners. I make sure to signal well in advance, clearing all my mirrors and ensuring I have the attention of drivers around me, before committing to any lane changes or turns. This is very necessary, as if I crash into a small car, I'm almost guaranteed to crush them like an aluminum can under a heavy boot. In the beginning, people were quite gracious, allowing me into lanes without much strife, but as of late, all consideration has been flung out the window like yesterday's bath water. Nowadays, I'm finding more and more that people are misconstruing what the signals actually mean.
In the beginning, if I needed to move from the far right lane into the left turning lane, I could do so by signalling. People would take note of the large saucer-like amber light flashing in their faces and slow down enough, allowing me to pass over in front of them. Lately, it seems as though people take that same flashing amber light as an indication that they should speed up, not allowing me over to where I need to be. This is equally true when I'm behind the wheel of my regular vehicle, as well. Gotta make a right turn onto my street? Nope! Some dumb motherf*cker is already gleaming the sidewalk to get around me. Or if I am lucky enough to make the corner onto my street, I'm required to make a sudden left signal, as my house is the second dwelling on the left hand side. Believe it or not, on more than one occasion, when I make that quick left turn signal, people riding my rear bumper, make a sudden and dangerously rash swerve to the left, narrowly missing me and any traffic who may be approaching the intersection.
A little over a month ago, I approached my house from the south. I was required to back into the driveway to load something into the box of my truck. I slowed in front of my driveway. Stopped. Switched on the signal, indicating that I wished to move to my right. I put the truck in reverse, causing my back up lights to come on, and proceeded to reverse. As the front of my truck swung slightly out into the street, steering backward into my driveway, an impatient little minx, swerved around me, and clipped the front corner of my truck. The inconsideration that someone was incapable of recognizing ALL of the proper indications of my intentions, drove me absolutely insane with anger. Turns out she was f*cking hot, so I quickly calmed down, thinking quietly to myself how we, as old codgers, would laugh and tell our grandchildren how grandma and grandpa met. I've never seen her, again.
Hot or not, people are growing more and more f*cking stupid when it comes to common practices like basic motor vehicle operations. I'd say that people need to be retrained on proper motor vehicle operation, but then we'll hear from all the nutcases saying the government is trying to control us like they are with the gun control issue.
However, I've been witnessing more and more, on a daily basis, the lack of care or attention to those of us who properly use the signal light. I especially notice it, everyday, as I'm in control of a very big rig. A large vehicle that requires a lot of room in order to transfer from one lane into another or around corners. I make sure to signal well in advance, clearing all my mirrors and ensuring I have the attention of drivers around me, before committing to any lane changes or turns. This is very necessary, as if I crash into a small car, I'm almost guaranteed to crush them like an aluminum can under a heavy boot. In the beginning, people were quite gracious, allowing me into lanes without much strife, but as of late, all consideration has been flung out the window like yesterday's bath water. Nowadays, I'm finding more and more that people are misconstruing what the signals actually mean.
In the beginning, if I needed to move from the far right lane into the left turning lane, I could do so by signalling. People would take note of the large saucer-like amber light flashing in their faces and slow down enough, allowing me to pass over in front of them. Lately, it seems as though people take that same flashing amber light as an indication that they should speed up, not allowing me over to where I need to be. This is equally true when I'm behind the wheel of my regular vehicle, as well. Gotta make a right turn onto my street? Nope! Some dumb motherf*cker is already gleaming the sidewalk to get around me. Or if I am lucky enough to make the corner onto my street, I'm required to make a sudden left signal, as my house is the second dwelling on the left hand side. Believe it or not, on more than one occasion, when I make that quick left turn signal, people riding my rear bumper, make a sudden and dangerously rash swerve to the left, narrowly missing me and any traffic who may be approaching the intersection.
A little over a month ago, I approached my house from the south. I was required to back into the driveway to load something into the box of my truck. I slowed in front of my driveway. Stopped. Switched on the signal, indicating that I wished to move to my right. I put the truck in reverse, causing my back up lights to come on, and proceeded to reverse. As the front of my truck swung slightly out into the street, steering backward into my driveway, an impatient little minx, swerved around me, and clipped the front corner of my truck. The inconsideration that someone was incapable of recognizing ALL of the proper indications of my intentions, drove me absolutely insane with anger. Turns out she was f*cking hot, so I quickly calmed down, thinking quietly to myself how we, as old codgers, would laugh and tell our grandchildren how grandma and grandpa met. I've never seen her, again.
Hot or not, people are growing more and more f*cking stupid when it comes to common practices like basic motor vehicle operations. I'd say that people need to be retrained on proper motor vehicle operation, but then we'll hear from all the nutcases saying the government is trying to control us like they are with the gun control issue.
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