Almost every time jparks and I drive together we have the same debate about merging. It goes like this:
jparks: "I need to get over but I can't see, is it clear?"
me: "No, but it would be clear if you put your blinker on."
"That wouldn't matter, people are assholes and won't let me in."
"That's not true, I always put my blinker on when I want to merge and people always let me in. You claimed the drivers in California were asses and now you're claiming Texas drivers are asses too. Maybe it's not the other drivers, it's you for not using your blinker."
"No, asses, they're all asses!"
I just don't understand how he can be so antiblinker. In his defense he does put it on but right at the very last second but I do not think that is proper blinker usage. I think besides warning people that "Hey lookout, jparks is coming into your lane and you can't stop him!" it's a way to ask if you can merge. "Hello kind person in the next lane over. I would like to be where youa re. Might you allow that?" Sometimes you do have to strong arm your way over, but most times a blinker gets you where you need to be.
So what say you internet, is the word full of asshole drivers just out to get jparks or am I right and he should have his blinker on, asking to merge? Also, how much do you think other drivers hate jparks during traffic? I think a lot.
I let people in if they have their blinkers on. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteYes, some people will ignore your blinker --- but others won't. Fear of rejection is no excuse! Use thy turn signal!
I am a big advocate of the blinker. Even in parking lots. Hell, I even use it when pulling out of my driveway in the morning with all the Ursuline traffic on my street.
ReplyDeleteI'm with steen. Gotta use that blinker baybay.
I am pro-blinker. People will usually let you in if they know you want in. If you don't tell them, how will they know?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I only today realized my old Google Reader subscription for you wasn't working and re-subscribed. Whew!
Um, YOU are absolutely right. Unfortunately, I gotta say that I curse the day non-signal users were born on a daily basis. He should start using it, if only to spare himself from the evil karma that assholes like me are sending his way. Also, not using it is dangerous.
ReplyDeleteYou are very right. And he also moved to a REALLY BAD CITY if you can't deal with traffic. Austin is the WORST!
ReplyDeleteAs long as he turns it back off, I am voting for blinker. I see people craning their necks to look at my lane jealously and cackle when there's no blinker.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, as always.
YOU WIN! Blinker saves accidents. Your husband is the kind I can't stand on the road.
ReplyDeleteBLINKER all the way!! I usually let people in if they have their blinker on. I get pissed if they don't and try and get in my lane. No blinker = how the hell do I know what you're trying to do? There's a reason it's so close to the steering wheel..SO IT'S EASY TO USE.
ReplyDeleteUse the blinker! it's the LAW! I loathe people that don't use it or do the last second route. grrrr... Also should he be driving if he can't properly shoulder check on his own?
ReplyDeleteInteresting... Jeff and I have the exact same debate. It just seems so logical to me that one would need to communicate with the other drivers on the road if they need their cooperation... enter blinker. Maybe it's a guy thing. You know, not wanting to ask others for permission to do something?
ReplyDeleteTotally Team Blinker here, too. And like someone else mentioned, JUST BE SURE TO TURN IT OFF ONCE YOU'RE IN THE DAMN LANE!
ReplyDeleteBlinker usage is a must! People may not always acknowledge you, but it's good to be a positive role model. It's for EVERYONE'S safety. esp. in poor weather conditions.
ReplyDeleteBlinker, please. If you use a blinker, I'm much more likely to let you over. If I see you creeping and trying to get over without one, I'll probably just cram the space and keep you out. It's all about letting me know what you want without just trying to take it!
ReplyDeleteBlinker all the way. But I do agree with him that sometimes it just encourages the jerks on the road to speed up and close the gap.
ReplyDeleteOne wrong doesn't make a right. But three rights do make a left! (I know...bad traffic humor.)
I'm with Mary-Lynn and Decaf Debi. I was pro-blinker in Canada where I think people do let you in but became a last minute/no blinker in California when I realized that to most drivers on 101 a blinker means 'Damn, they want to be in my lane. No way! It's my lane! I'm taking that spot!'
ReplyDeleteFuckers.
Yes, three years later and still have residual road rage. And I haven't relearned how to blinker. Oops.
I find that frantic dancing and singing in my car causes others to stare at me, so I use their distraction to merge.
ReplyDelete